Cabinet clears transfer of SKIT to JNTU-A paving way for admissions

Tirupati: The State Cabinet has approved the revival of Sri Kalahasteeswara Institute of Technology (SKIT) by clearing transfer of its land and buildings to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Anantapur, through a lease agreement. With the Cabinet’s approval removing the final hurdle, the university is expected to take over the institution, and admissions are likely to begin from the second phase of AP EAPCET counselling for 2026-27 academic year.

The decision marks a major step in bringing back the nearly three-decade-old engineering college, which has remained closed since 2020-21 academic year due to declining admissions and financial difficulties.

The Cabinet’s decision comes weeks after IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh assured party leaders and workers during a meeting in Srikalahasti on July 1 that the government would take steps to reopen the college.

SKIT Engineering College was established in 1997 through the efforts of former Minister Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy.

Before the college was shut down, he had proposed its merger with JNTU. The proposal received Cabinet approval in 2018, but could not be implemented following a change in the State government. After the NDA government assumed office, Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Sudheer Reddy pursued the proposal with Minister Nara Lokesh’s support. The government issued orders in July 2025 for the merger of SKIT with JNTU Anantapur. However, the process was delayed due to pending technical and administrative formalities.

With the Cabinet now approving transfer of SKIT’s land and buildings to JNTU Anantapur, the merger process is expected to be completed, paving the way for admissions from the second round of AP EAMCET counselling this academic year.

The college is expected to offer engineering courses in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML).

The 55-acre campus has established academic buildings and other infrastructure, which will enable the university to resume academic activities with minimal delay. The reopening of the institution is expected to provide students from Srikalahasti and neighbouring areas with access to engineering education closer to home.

MLA Bojjala Venkata Sudheer Reddy thanked Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh for acting on their assurance and facilitating the revival of the institution. He said the decision would benefit students and strengthen higher education opportunities in the region.