Fire NOC Mandate Delays Affiliation for Telangana’s Private Intermediate Colleges

The majority of Colleges Left Waiting as the New Academic Year Begins

As the 2025–26 academic session begins, unaffiliated with the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE), a majority of private, unaided junior colleges remain without affiliation from the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE). The delay is mainly due to a new requirement mandating a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department — a demand that has taken many college managements by surprise.

Out of approximately 1,200 private unaided junior colleges operating in the state, only 247 have secured affiliation from the board so far. This marks a stark decline compared to the previous year, when 1,165 colleges were granted affiliation.

Change in NOC Criteria Sparks Confusion and Concern

College managements are raising concerns about the revised fire safety norms being enforced this year. Previously, only buildings exceeding 15 meters in height were required to obtain a Fire Notice of Compliance (NOC). However, the TGBIE now mandates the certificate for all college buildings over six metres high.

This sudden change has placed colleges in a difficult position. Complying with fire safety norms, such as having external staircases and open spaces to accommodate fire engines, is no small feat, especially for long-established institutions operating in congested urban areas.

“How are we supposed to make structural changes or acquire fire NOCs now, after admissions are already 75% complete?” questioned a long-time college operator and member of the Telangana State Private Junior Colleges Management Association (TPJMA). Many managers claim they were never informed of the change during the application process and only discovered the requirement after facing rejections.

Conflict Over GO 29 and Fire Safety Law Interpretation

Adding to the confusion is the conflict between the TGBIE’s current demands and a previous government order. College authorities argue that the board is enforcing fire NOC requirements under the Telangana Fire Service Act, 1999, but ignoring GO 29, a 2016 Government Order that mandates fire NOCs only for buildings taller than 15 metres.

College managements say they were asked either to produce the fire NOC or submit documentation proving that GO 29 is still in effect. “We’ve been running our institutions for over a decade under the guidelines of GO 29. Why is the board ignoring it now?” asked another correspondent from a private college in Hyderabad.

The demand has left hundreds of colleges stuck in bureaucratic limbo, uncertain about whether their institutions will be allowed to operate officially this year.

Student Futures in Limbo

The timing of this requirement has created chaos not only for the management but also for thousands of students and parents. With the majority of seats already filled, students enrolled in Intermediate courses, assuming the colleges held valid affiliations.

Now, they face a cloud of uncertainty over the legitimacy of their institutions. “Students trusted us and joined because we’ve been affiliated for years. What happens to them if the government refuses affiliation later?” asked a visibly frustrated college head.

TGBIE Responds: Deadline Extended to End of June

In response to growing criticism, TGBIE Secretary Krishna Aditya clarified that the fire NOC requirement applies not only to private colleges but also to government institutions. He reassured stakeholders that the board is processing applications at a steady pace, clearing 60 to 70 affiliation requests per day.

“We are ensuring fire safety measures across the board. Colleges have time till the end of June to submit the required documents,” said Aditya. According to him, out of 3,200 junior colleges in Telangana — including those run by the government and various educational societies — about 1,500 have been granted affiliation so far.

This leaves over half the colleges still waiting for approval, with the clock ticking down.

Safety vs. Practicality: A Balancing Act

While the TGBIE's push for better fire safety compliance is seen as a step in the right direction in terms of student welfare and institutional accountability, stakeholders argue that implementation should be phased and communicated effectively.

Many college administrators have suggested a transition period or grandfathering clause for long-established institutions to bring them into compliance without penalizing current students.

“They should have announced these changes months ago, not after colleges began functioning. We support safety, but not at the cost of academic stability,” said one TPJMA representative.

What’s Next for Colleges?

As of now, private junior colleges have until June 30 to furnish the necessary fire safety documents. Failure to do so may result in non-affiliation, impacting not just the institutions but also thousands of enrolled students, some of whom are already attending classes.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on how the TGBIE handles the bottleneck in approvals and whether there will be any leniency or policy clarification regarding GO 29 and its current status.

For now, college managements across Telangana continue to scramble for compliance, even as questions about fairness, feasibility, and foresight dominate the discussion.

Final Word

The current situation highlights a critical tension between enforcing safety norms and ensuring academic continuity. While fire safety is non-negotiable, policy shifts must be accompanied by clear communication and realistic timelines. The TGBIE must strive to bridge this gap, not only for compliance but also for the trust and stability of the state’s educational ecosystem.