The university has raised fees for over half its courses by more than 30 percent, placing immense financial strain on students and their families
NEW DELHI – After the steep fee hike in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has followed suit, leaving students and parents shocked. For the academic session 2025–26, the university has increased fees across a majority of its courses, affecting Muslim families who have long relied on these prestigious institutions for affordable higher education.
Out of 220 courses offered at JMI, 156 courses have seen an increase of 10 percent or more, while 124 courses — more than 50 percent — have recorded fee hikes exceeding 30 percent. In several programmes, the fees have nearly doubled, placing a heavy burden on students from economically modest backgrounds.
The BA (Hons) Social Work programme has faced the largest hike, with fees rising by 147.47 percent, from Rs 7,425 earlier to Rs 18,375 now. A student, requesting anonymity, shared, “Our families are already struggling to manage daily expenses. Paying such fees is almost impossible for us.”
The Faculty of Education has been hit the hardest, with around 83 percent of courses increasing by over 80 percent. The B.Ed. and B.Ed. (Special Education) programmes alone have seen a jump of 88.77 percent. A parent expressed concern, saying, “We want our children to study in a good university, but these fees are beyond our reach. It feels like our dreams are being crushed.”
Other programmes have also seen alarming increases. The M.Ed. and its specialisations went up by 86.55 percent, and MA in Early Childhood Development increased by 89.53 percent. Similarly, M.Sc (Environmental Science and Management) fees surged by 95.31 percent, while the MBA (Pharmaceutical Management) regular programme rose by 79.31 percent. The Fine Arts Faculty also recorded fee hikes of more than 60 percent, affecting aspiring artists.
In total, 14 courses have seen fee hikes exceeding 75 percent, spanning faculties like Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Management, and Education. Observers say these changes will heavily impact Muslim students, many of whom rely on Jamia for affordable, high-quality education.
Despite the extensive fee revisions, the university administration has remained silent. Students, especially those from economically modest Muslim families, are worried about paying the new fees. When approached for comment, many students declined to speak, fearing repercussions from university authorities. One student said, “We feel trapped. We cannot afford these fees, but we also fear speaking up.”
Education activists have criticised the move, stating that such steep hikes disproportionately affect Muslim students, who have historically depended on institutions like JMI for accessible education. A local community leader commented, “Jamia Millia Islamia has been a lifeline for Muslim students. Increasing fees like this is a setback for the entire community.”
As families and students grapple with these sudden changes, the lack of transparency from JMI has only added to the anxiety. The steep fee hike comes at a time when educational costs are already rising nationwide, compounding financial struggles for students from minority communities.
Parents and students are now appealing for government intervention and reconsideration. One mother shared her anguish: “We want our children to study without worrying about money. This increase is not just numbers; it is a barrier to their future.”
With no official explanation from JMI, students fear that continuing their studies may soon become impossible for many. The community awaits a response from the university, hoping that the administration recognises the hardship these fee hikes are causing, particularly for Indian Muslim students seeking higher education.
