AP Scraps 15% Non-Local Quota In Higher Education From 2025, Reserves All Seats For State Students

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced the elimination of 15% non-local quota in admissions to higher educational institutions, reserving all seats for students from within the state starting from 2025–26 academic year. As per a newly issued government order, this amendment will apply to admissions in a wide range of courses, including engineering, technology, pharmacy, architecture, Pharma D, business administration, computer applications, law, education, and physical education. The decision effectively bars students from other states—including neighbouring Telangana—from seeking admission under the non-local quota in Andhra Pradesh institutions.

The move follows the conclusion of a 10-year transitional period post the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh in 2014, during which a common admission process was maintained to accommodate students from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

"To protect the interests of the students hailing from the state of Andhra Pradesh, appropriate measures have to be taken in admission to undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD courses…," a recent government order said, as per a report on PTI.

Who Are Local Candidates?

The revised policy defines ‘local candidates’ based on the territorial jurisdictions of Andhra University (AU) and Sri Venkateswara University (SVU). Students from the erstwhile districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and Prakasam fall under AU, while those from Anantapur, Kurnool, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Nellore are under SVU.

In universities and institutions under statewide jurisdiction, 85% of seats will be allocated to local candidates of AU and SVU in a 65.6% and 34.3% ratio, respectively. The remaining 15% non-local seats, where applicable, will follow the same proportional distribution formula between the two universities.

The state government noted that it received multiple representations from students and parents urging a more equitable system that prioritises local candidates. Officials also cited potential legal challenges under the existing admission framework as a rationale for the change.

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