Hyderabad: Inter admissions decline has become a concern in government junior colleges as second-year student numbers continue to fall. The number of students moving from first year to second year has dropped significantly.
The decline has reportedly continued by 10,000 to 20,000 students every year. In the 2025-26 academic year, the number fell by 17,000 compared with the previous year.
The retention rate from first year to second year has also raised concerns. Meanwhile, the Inter Education Department has been focusing mainly on first-year admissions rather than retaining students in second year.
Students who discontinued their education have reportedly not been returning to continue their studies. The source also raised questions about whether students are shifting to private colleges or leaving education because of financial difficulties.
However, the overall student strength across first- and second-year courses has shown an increase in recent years, apart from a decline recorded in 2023-24. The combined strength stood at 1.80 lakh in 2022-23 before falling to 1.63 lakh in 2023-24.
The total number then increased to 1.68 lakh in 2024-25. It subsequently reached 1.72 lakh in 2025-26, with the increase reportedly concentrated in first-year admissions.
The figures have raised questions about why government junior colleges are unable to retain students who enter first year. In addition, concerns remain about the reasons behind students leaving their studies midway.
Inter admissions decline highlights second-year retention gap
In 2021-22, first-year enrolment stood at 1.10 lakh students. By the second year in 2022-23, the number had fallen to 89,993, representing a decline of 20,137 students.
During 2022-23, 90,393 students joined first year. According to the source, all of them should have progressed to second year in 2023-24.
However, the second-year strength that year stood at 78,412. This represented a year-on-year reduction of 11,981 students in the progression from first year.
The number of students progressing from first year to second year across 2023-24 and 2024-25 was reported at 84,967. The figures also showed another substantial decline in the following academic cycle.
In 2024-25, 83,845 students were admitted to first year. By the time they reached second year, that figure had fallen to 67,105 students.
As a result, 16,740 students were reported to have dropped out during that period. The figures have prompted calls for a comprehensive study into student retention and dropout patterns.
The source questioned whether students were moving to private colleges after first year. It also raised the possibility that financial difficulties could be forcing some students to discontinue their education.
According to the source, the government needs to examine these issues comprehensively. Such an assessment could help identify why first-year enrolment is rising while second-year numbers continue to weaken.