YSRCP protest over Andhra Pradesh sports quota recruitment turns tense in Vijayawada

A protest by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Mega DSC-2025 sports quota recruitment turned tense outside the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) office in Vijayawada on Monday, with YSRCP workers and sports-quota teachers holding rival demonstrations.

The YSRCP has alleged that candidates with fake or questionable sports certificates were appointed as teachers while genuine sportspersons were denied opportunities. The party demanded an independent investigation into the selections.

YSRCP demands CBI probe into sports quota recruitment

YSRCP leaders, including Youth Empowerment Convener and former Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) board member Salam Babu, raised allegations over the recruitment and sought a CBI investigation.

"The government should answer the allegations instead of using the police to suppress the voice of job aspirants," YSRCP leaders said.

Police had denied permission for the protest, citing prohibitory orders, traffic restrictions and security arrangements for Vinayaka immersion processions. Despite the restrictions, YSRCP workers gathered near the SAAP office.

Police erected barricades and, according to reports, used force to disperse protesters and detained several party leaders and activists.

The YSRCP said police action was used against its workers while they were protesting over the recruitment. In a statement on Monday, the party also alleged that people linked to the TDP entered the SAAP premises and attacked its activists and student-wing leaders. The allegations were not independently established in the reports reviewed.

Rival protests lead to confrontation

The situation escalated when sports-quota teachers arrived at the SAAP office to defend their appointments.

Reports said the two groups exchanged slogans and an altercation broke out, with one teacher reportedly sustaining a head injury. The teachers rejected allegations of fake certificates and said they had earned their medals and qualifications through years of hard work.

The TDP rejected YSRCP's allegations of an attack by ruling-party supporters.

Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and TDP MLA Eluri Sambasiva Rao accused YSRCP workers of creating unrest and attempting to attack teachers. They alleged that outside elements and rowdy-sheeters were brought to the venue by the opposition.

The YSRCP, meanwhile, demanded that the government disclose the facts surrounding the selections and ensure justice for candidates it described as deserving.

What the Mega DSC-2025 sports quota provides

The controversy centres on the Sports Quota recruitment under Mega DSC-2025. The official SAAP notification dated May 1, 2025 invited applications for 421 teacher posts under the three per cent horizontal reservation for meritorious sportspersons, with selection under the sports quota conducted without a written examination.

The notification covered posts across government, Zilla Parishad, Mandal Parishad, municipal, tribal welfare, residential, model and social welfare schools. SAAP's recruitment material also listed recognised sports disciplines for candidates eligible under the three per cent reservation.

Subsequently, 372 candidates were appointed under the quota. The Andhra Pradesh government has said the eligibility and authenticity of certificates are being examined individually, and that action will be taken if any candidate is found to have submitted a fake certificate or violated eligibility norms.

SAAP had earlier said the recruitment was conducted through an online, multi-level verification process. According to the authority, sports certificates submitted by candidates were sent to the respective issuing organisations for verification, and certificates were considered for eligibility and merit only after confirmation from those bodies. SAAP said around 3,600 candidates applied for the 421 posts, submitting 5,328 post preferences.

The government has also said that allegations concerning TET eligibility, caste certificates and sports certificates are being examined against official records. In a separate development, the authenticity of Judo certificates issued by the Andhra Pradesh State Judo Association was reported to be under a vigilance inquiry.

The YSRCP continues to demand a CBI probe into the recruitment, while the government and SAAP have maintained that the selection process followed the prescribed rules and that disputed eligibility or certificate claims are being examined.