Allow semester registration for students covered under Telangana ePASS without upfront fee payment: UoH protestors

Students at the University of Hyderabad rallied on Thursday (August 20, 2026) to demand changes to the semester registration process for those covered by the Telangana ePASS scholarship scheme. Protesters from the Ambedkar Students’ Association, Bahujan Students’ Front, Dalit Students’ Union, Students’ Federation of India, and Tribal Students’ Forum argued that students should be allowed to complete registration without paying tuition and hostel fees upfront.

The scholarship covers tuition and maintenance fees, with the government reimbursing the amount to students via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). However, many students cannot afford to pay fees from their own pockets while waiting for the scholarship payment. With the last date for registration fast approaching, and no resolution in sight, the protest organizers say they will continue their demonstration until the university administration addresses their concerns.

The issue stems from the implementation of the State government’s guidelines regarding post-matric scholarships, specifically the expanded framework for SC, ST, BC, EBC, minority, and differently-abled students starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The students have demanded that tuition payments be made from the scholarship amount credited to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts within seven working days, that the semester registration schedule align with the DBT disbursement timeline, and that the registration deadline be extended immediately.