There are complaints in Telangana that students and parents are facing difficulties because fee reimbursement amounts are not being released by the Government to colleges on time. In particular, withholding original certificates, SSC, Intermediate, Degree, Transfer Certificate (TC), Bonafide and other documents on the grounds of outstanding fees is affecting students’ employment, higher education and overseas education opportunities.
The key question is: Why should a student suffer because of a financial dispute between the Government and a college?
AICTE Guidelines
According to the AICTE Circular dated March 29, 2019, colleges are prohibited from retaining the original certificates of students who cancel their admission or leave the institution. Withholding certificates on the condition that students pay fees for future academic years is considered an unfair and unethical practice.
Institutions violating these guidelines may face strict action, including the possibility of withdrawal of approval.
Key Telangana High Court Judgment
In W.P. No. 21166 of 2026, dated July 20, 2026, the Telangana High Court issued important directions regarding the withholding of a student’s original certificates over outstanding fees.
In this case, original SSC, Diploma, B.Tech and Transfer Certificates, among other documents, were withheld over fee dues of ₹3.09 lakh. The case stated that the dues arose due to non-receipt of government fee reimbursement.
The High Court held that students’ original certificates are their personal documents and that a college has no statutory authority to retain them as security or collateral for recovery of monetary dues. The Court directed Malla Reddy Engineering College to return all the original certificates within one week.
What Should Students Do?
If your certificates are being withheld, first make a written request to the college management seeking their release. If there is no response, you may approach the concerned Education Department, University or regulatory authority.
Students can also use the RTI Act, 2005 to obtain official information regarding fee reimbursement:
- How much reimbursement was sanctioned in your name?
- How much was released to the college?
- When was it released?
- How much is still pending?
- What is the reason for the delay?
Relief for Vijay Through RTI
The experience of Vijay, B.Tech dropout student from Nagarkunta village in Shabad Mandal, Rangareddy district, shows how RTI can help bring an unresolved issue to the attention of authorities.
Vijay joined TKR Engineering College in the 2018–19 academic year for B.Tech (EEE). Due to health reasons, he discontinued his studies during the first year and later sought employment to support his family.
When he requested the return of his original certificates submitted at the time of admission, the college management reportedly told him that the certificates would be returned only after payment of the fees for the remaining years. Unable to afford the amount, Vijay’s family sought assistance from RTI activist G. Srinivasa Rao.
Written complaints were initially submitted to the college and concerned authorities. Following this, RTI applications were filed seeking official information. The authorities responded and took steps that ultimately enabled Vijay to obtain his original certificates without paying the additional fees demanded.
Vijay’s experience offers an important message to students and parents: First submit a written complaint; if there is no response, seek official information through RTI; and, where necessary, pursue appropriate legal remedies.
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Why should students pay for a financial dispute between the Government and a college?
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Note: Are you interested in filing an RTI application on the above issue? Interested students, parents and citizens may send their details to our official email: gsrao@way2rti.com
