About Prof. Etikaala Purushotham
Prof. Etikaala Purushotham is a distinguished academic, researcher, and administrator, currently serving as Vice-Chairman-I of the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TCHE), Government of Telangana. He assumed this role on October 17, 2024, after over 30 years of experience in academia and higher education administration. Throughout his career, Prof. Purushotham has signicantly contributed to the development of higher education and educational policies in Telangana.
Born on August 5, 1964, in Gandhamalla Village, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana, Prof. Purushotham hails from a modest background. He is married to Yashodabai, a government school teacher, and they have three daughters.
Prof. Purushotham’s educational journey began in his hometown, where he completed his primary and secondary education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bhavan’s New Science College, Hyderabad, followed by a Master’s in Economics from Nizam College, Osmania University. He later earned an M.Phil. and a Gold Medal for his research on global antipoverty programs, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics with a focus on rural development and poverty alleviation.
He began his professional career in 1988 as an RTC employee before joining Osmania University in 2007 as a professor of Economics. Over the years, he has contributed to numerous research projects, published 12 research papers, and authored books on public finanance and international economics. He has mentored 14 Ph.D. candidates and has been an active member of several academic organizations, inuencing higher education policy in Telangana.
An accomplished writer and poet, Prof. Purushotham has authored several books in Telugu, including “Anguli” and “Chedu Nijam.” His song “Ig Ouko,” a cultural anthem for the Telangana Movement, gained prominence during the state’s struggle for a separate identity.
Prof. Purushotham has also been deeply involved in social causes, leading labor movements and founding the Dalit Students Association at Osmania University. He played a pivotal role in the Telangana Movement, founding several organizations and contributing to the formation of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2001. He also served as Co-Chairman and Convenor of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC).
After retiring from Osmania University in August 2024, Prof. Purushotham assumed the position of Vice-Chairman-I of TCHE in October 2024, continuing his lifelong commitment to the advancement of higher education and social reforms in Telangana. His career reects unwavering dedication to education, social justice, and policy empowerment.
