One-pager
Save CET. From what?
Our alma mater, home to 50,000+ CETians worldwide, faces an existential threat. The Government of Kerala proposes turning CET into a constituent college of the much-maligned and academically vacuous APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU).
Consti-what?
Constituent college
A college owned by the university. Its academics, administration and finance are fully controlled by KTU.
Affiliated college
A government institution affiliated to a university. Academics are controlled by the university; administration and finance are managed by the Government of Kerala.
Autonomous college
Academic control lies within the college, while administration and finance are managed by the Government of Kerala.
When did this happen?
- 19 Jun 2026
- The Chief Minister announces in his budget speech that CET, under KTU, will be formally granted “Constituent College of the University” status.
- 15 Jul 2026
- The State government officially constitutes a high-level working group to transition CET into a constituent college of KTU, with one month to formulate its recommendation.
- 22 Jul 2026
- Faculty and students of CET organise a black day against the move.
- 24 Jul 2026
- The working group is enlarged and given three months to consult the stakeholders of KTU and CET.
Where it stands: There is no public information from the working group yet. As far as we know, no public consultations have happened with any stakeholders among students, faculty or alumni. The term of the working group runs till 24 Oct 2026.
What are our demands?
- Publish a draft proposal detailing the motivation for this move and listing the benefits and risks for CET.
- Reconstitute the working group to include representatives from alumni, teaching faculty, students, non-teaching staff, independent academics and people from industry.
- Honour the commitment to consult, formally and on the record.
- Maintain status quo until these are done.
What can we do now?
Talk to your CET batchmates, circulate this message, learn about the issue on this site, and get ready to act.