The State Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat on Wednesday, approved a policy to attract foreign higher educational institutions and leading private universities to the State. The Cabinet also made a series of decisions covering education, healthcare, and welfare.
Disclosing the decisions taken by the Cabinet, Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy stated that the Andhra Pradesh Policy for Promotion of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) and Private Universities, 2026, was approved.
The policy aims to facilitate the establishment of campuses by reputed foreign universities and Indian private universities. It also seeks to promote international academic partnerships, research, and innovation, and attract investments without imposing any financial burden on the State government, as reported by The New Indian Express.
It is expected that this policy will provide students access to global-standard education within Andhra Pradesh, thereby reducing the need for them to go abroad for higher studies.
The Cabinet also approved the expansion of the Thalliki Vandanam scheme for 2026-27. An additional 58,601 eligible students will be brought under the purview of the scheme.
Financial assistance will be released to 3,29,201 beneficiaries selected in the second phase, and students are set to get a 10% hike in diet charges, according to The New Indian Express. These initiatives will provide enhanced educational opportunities for students in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.