The Telangana Department of Technical Education has implemented a comprehensive overhaul of the polytechnic curriculum under the C-26 revision, bringing sweeping changes across all 25 diploma branches in both government and private polytechnics. The revision mandates a six-month industrial training period and introduces modules on emerging technologies to enhance students' industry readiness.
Key Changes in the Revised Curriculum
Commissioner of Technical Education A Sridevasena announced the changes on Monday, describing them as a significant restructuring aimed at aligning diploma education with evolving industry needs. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Tata Technologies, and other industry partners.
Under the revised structure, outdated content has been removed, and interdisciplinary learning has been introduced across all branches. Regardless of their specialization, diploma students will now study Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and machine learning, and entrepreneurship.
New Diploma Programs and Seat Expansion
To meet the demands of emerging sectors, 10 new diploma programs will be introduced from the 2026–27 academic year. These include aircraft maintenance, advanced manufacturing technology, automation and robotics, and semiconductor technology. The state currently offers 18,060 seats across 111 polytechnics, with 4,200 new seats added this year.
Mandatory Industrial Training and Student Support
A key feature of the revision is mandatory industrial training in the final semester. Since its launch on May 11, 4,672 students have been placed with 202 industry partners across sectors such as manufacturing, railways, defense, healthcare, IT services, and construction.
According to officials, 106 students are receiving stipends of up to Rs 18,000 per month, while 905 are earning between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000. To support students without stipends, the state has created a Rs 30-crore corpus fund.
Faculty Upskilling Initiative
Simultaneously, nearly 1,000 faculty members are being upskilled at institutions such as IIT Hyderabad, CDAC, and NITTR Hyderabad to adapt to the revised curriculum. Commissioner Sridevasena stated, “The reforms are aimed at making diploma education more industry-oriented and improving employability.”
