Telangana: Revanth Reddy’s Harvard Course Sparks Row As BRS Says CM ‘Still Has To Learn’

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 16:37 IST

The curriculum focuses on leadership decision-making in complex political and economic environments, with emphasis on practical problem-solving rather than theoretical instruction

CM Revanth Reddy said the initiative is aimed at preparing Telangana’s nursing students for international job markets, particularly in Japan, South Korea and Germany. (File Photo: Congress/X)

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is set to attend a leadership programme at Harvard Kennedy School, a move that has sparked both praise and political criticism back home.

According to an official statement, Revanth Reddy will participate in the ‘Leadership: 21st Century’ programme from January 25 to 31 at Harvard University’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With this, he is set to become the first sitting Chief Minister of independent India to attend a formal academic course at an Ivy League university.

The programme will bring together participants from more than 20 countries across five continents, cutting across politics, governance, civil society and public administration. The course is designed to examine contemporary global leadership challenges through case studies, group work, assignments and interactive classroom discussions.

The programme is chaired by Professor Tim O’Brien and directed by Professor Karen Morrissey. Its curriculum focuses on leadership decision-making in complex political and economic environments, with a strong emphasis on practical problem-solving rather than theoretical instruction alone.

Upon completion, Reddy will receive an official certification from Harvard University, another first for a serving Indian Chief Minister.

Political Pushback From BRS

However, the CM’s participation has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Party leaders questioned the timing and purpose of the foreign visit, arguing that by enrolling in the course, the CM was implicitly admitting that he “still has a lot to learn".

BRS leaders also contrasted Revanth Reddy’s visit with previous Telangana Chief Ministers who, they claimed, had been invited to Harvard to deliver lectures rather than attend classes. They further alleged that frequent foreign trips were being undertaken at a time when the state was grappling with unresolved governance and development challenges.

The opposition also raised concerns over public expenditure, arguing that overseas visits had not yet translated into major investment inflows for the state.

CM Links Global Exposure To Jobs Agenda

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Office has positioned the Harvard programme as part of a broader focus on governance capacity-building and global exposure.

In recent weeks, Revanth Reddy has repeatedly stressed that education and employment as key pillars of his administration. During a visit to a nursing college in Khammam district, he announced plans to set up specialised training centres for Japanese, Korean and German languages.

The initiative, he said, is aimed at preparing Telangana’s nursing students for international job markets, particularly in countries such as Japan, South Korea and Germany, where demand for healthcare workers is rising sharply due to ageing populations.

Officials argue that the CM’s participation in international academic and policy platforms aligns with this broader strategy of connecting Telangana’s workforce with global opportunities.

As the debate continues, Revanth Reddy’s Harvard visit has become more than just a training programme, it has turned into a political flashpoint, raising questions about leadership, learning, governance priorities and the optics of global engagement in Indian politics.

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