Published Sep 19, 2026 | 3:06 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 19, 2026 | 3:06 PM
SAAP. (Facebook)
Synopsis: The PIL currently being heard in the High Court includes a request for a comprehensive investigation into the implementation of the sports quota, along with the mandate for a skill test. Against this backdrop, SAAP has initiated a skill test for the first time for EAPCET admissions.
Following the allegations of misuse of sports quota reservations in Andhra Pradesh, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) has taken a crucial decision to conduct a skill test for sports quota reservations for the first time.
SAAP announced on Friday, 18 September, that the skill test for sports quota applicants in EAPCET (engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy common entrance test) 2026 admissions will be conducted on September 21 at Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur.
SAAP further stated that all applicants applying for admissions under the sports quota must attend the test on that day. The applicant’s sporting skills will be evaluated under expert supervision.
Also Read: Mega foul play in Andhra Pradesh DSC’s sports quota
There is a 0.5 per cent sports quota in Andhra Pradesh engineering admissions. For the academic year 2026–27, a total of 1,50,828 engineering seats are available across the state. As per the reservation, approximately 754 seats must be filled under the sports quota. The final seat allocation will be based on the convener quota and college/course-wise seat availability.
To avail of the sports quota benefits in Andhra Pradesh, a candidate must have represented Andhra Pradesh and submit the relevant original sports certificates.
The recognised list of sports for admissions into professional courses under this quota includes athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, cricket, football, hockey, judo, kabaddi, kho-kho, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.
There are allegations that certain sports associations have issued fake certificates for some of these sports. Consequently, SAAP is conducting the skill test for athletes on 21 September.
In the Mega DSC 2025 sports quota recruitment conducted in Andhra Pradesh last year, some candidates secured jobs merely by submitting participation certificates. Very few among those who secured jobs were actual medal winners.
The Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association alleged that fake athletes obtained jobs using self-declarations and certificates issued by sports associations.
The association has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court seeking an inquiry into this matter.
Also Read: Jagan dares CM Naidu to order CBI probe into alleged DSC recruitment scam
Allegations of irregularities under the sports quota in medical and technical education courses have existed since the inception of the quota in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
While there have been claims over the past few years that a large number of ineligible individuals and fake athletes secured admissions in engineering, medical, MBA, and MCA courses, a comprehensive investigation was never conducted.
In August 2017, a fake certificate racket came to light during medical admissions. A scrutiny committee submitted a report on this to the then SAAP VC-MD. Based on this investigation, the Vigilance department prevented a student named Rithvik Reddy, who had secured a medical admission, from appearing for his final exams.
Another young woman, Hasini Reddy, was also identified as having secured a medical admission using a fake certificate.
When 372 jobs were filled under the sports quota in the Mega DSC, the Olympic Association approached the High Court alleging that over 100 ineligible candidates secured jobs using fake certificates.
SAAP approved certificates submitted by some individuals claiming participation in sports competitions that never even took place.
Jobs were also awarded to multiple individuals from the same family and the same sport. This entire episode has put the government in a tight spot.
Addressing the Mega DSC sports quota irregularities, SAAP MD Bharani and Education Department Commissioner Tameem Ansariya recently held a joint meeting to explain.
During this, SAAP’s negligence was exposed, as allegations regarding fake certificates had been surfacing since 2016.
When South First questioned SAAP MD Bharani about awarding 372 SAAP jobs under the sports quota without conducting any skill tests for the selected candidates, he responded that skill tests would be conducted for athletes in the future, but nothing could be done for the recruitment already completed.
There have been no proper guidelines for higher education admissions and state government job recruitments under the sports quota.
Due to massive irregularities in medical admissions, Telangana completely abolished the sports quota for MBBS seat allocations.
In Andhra, however, large-scale irregularities continue under this quota. Certain sports associations realised that securing a seat through the sports quota is easier than buying a medical seat under the management quota.
Earlier, AP Olympic Association President Purushotham alleged that at least 100 fake athletes secured medical seats under the sports quota in the last decade, adding that they are fighting a legal battle in the High Court over this.
In the past, vigilance cases were registered regarding candidates securing medical and engineering seats solely based on sports association certifications and SAAP’s approval, without any skill tests. This racket, which began with medical and engineering admissions, gradually expanded to government jobs.
Sports certificates helped hundreds of ineligible candidates secure government jobs such as village/ward secretariat posts, police constable positions, and animal husbandry department jobs.
The PIL currently being heard in the High Court includes a request for a comprehensive investigation into the implementation of the sports quota, along with the mandate for a skill test. Against this backdrop, SAAP has initiated a skill test for the first time for EAPCET admissions.
Also Read: Foul play in recruitment: Paying the price for ignoring SAAP — a breeding ground for irregularities
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
