Tuition fees rise between 19% to 41%, affecting students across humanities, science, and technical courses. Students voice concerns over the financial burden.
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Students at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) are grappling with a sharp increase in their tuition fees this academic year, with hikes ranging from 19% to 41% across a wide array of programs. The increases, which span the humanities, social sciences, and technical disciplines, have raised concerns, especially among those from middle-class backgrounds who rely on affordable education to pursue their dreams.
The fee adjustments, reported by news agency ANI, have left many students bewildered, with no official explanation provided by the university administration. While specific programs have experienced significant increases, the overall rise in tuition fees has left students struggling to comprehend the sudden financial burden.
The steepest fee hike has been observed in the Persian Department, where fees surged by 41.41%—from Rs 6,700 to Rs 9,475 annually. The Arabic Department follows with a 37.5% increase, raising fees from Rs 7,200 to Rs 9,875.
“Education costs are increasing every year, but this year’s hike is unprecedented,” said a concerned student from the Persian Department, who preferred to remain anonymous. “It’s becoming more difficult for many of us to afford basic educational needs.”
Students in the Social Science Program, including those in Political Science, History, and Sociology, are also feeling the pressure, with some courses seeing increases of up to 32.99%. The fee for the BA (Multidisciplinary) program, for example, has gone up to Rs 9,875, compared to Rs 7,425 last year. Even B.Com (Hons) students are facing a rise in their fees, now set at Rs 9,875 annually, up from Rs 7,425.
One Social Science Program student expressed frustration Shadab Ansari: “I come from a middle-class family, and this sudden increase in fees is a huge burden. We’re already struggling with everyday expenses, and this hike will make it harder for many of us to continue our education.”
Students in the Science Program Aamir Hudai are similarly impacted. Those enrolled in BSc courses in Geography, Mathematics, and Physics will now face fees of Rs 10,475 annually—an increase of 34.29% from last year’s Rs 7,800.
“It’s a shocking hike. I’ve been relying on a part-time job to fund my studies, but this will make it almost impossible to manage,” said a BSc Physics student Nazrul Hafeez. “The fee structure is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many of us.”
The B.Tech program has also experienced a fee hike, although less severe than some of the other courses. Fees for B.Tech students have risen by 19.04%, from Rs 16,150 to Rs 19,225. The M.Tech program has seen a 16.48% increase, raising the fees to Rs 21,375 annually. Similarly, students enrolled in BA, LLB, and LLM programs will now pay Rs 17,850, reflecting a 19% rise from last year’s Rs 15,000.
A B.Tech student Naushaba Parween shared his concerns: “I’m already in debt from student loans, and this additional fee burden is just too much. There’s no clarity on why these hikes are happening, and it feels like we’re being exploited.”
Despite growing frustration among students, the administration has yet to respond publicly to the fee increases. This lack of transparency has left students wondering why such substantial hikes are being implemented without prior explanation or justification.
“The lack of transparency is troubling,” said another student from the BCom (Hons) program Abdul Ghafoor. “We deserve to know why these hikes are happening and how they are justified. It feels like we are being burdened without any consideration for our financial constraints.”
As the academic year begins, students are questioning the long-term implications of such fee increases. JMI, a leading institution in India, has long been known for its affordability, particularly for students from marginalized communities, including a significant number of Muslim students. The fee hike, however, is raising concerns about whether the university is becoming less accessible to those who have relied on its affordability.
S.M. Talha, a social-political activist and development professional, noted that JMI’s decision to increase fees comes at a time when the accessibility of education is already under scrutiny. “For decades, JMI has been a beacon of affordable quality education, particularly for students from marginalized communities, including a significant number of Muslim students who aspire to study in a top-ranked institution,” Talha said. “With this steep fee increase, many fear that the doors of opportunity are being shut for those who need them the most.”
Supporters of the fee hike argue that universities require sustainable financial models to maintain and improve infrastructure, faculty salaries, and research opportunities. When compared to elite institutions like IITs and IIMs, JMI’s fees are still considered lower. However, critics point out that the fee increases are more drastic than those at other Central Universities like Aligarh Muslim University and Banaras Hindu University, which have raised their fees in a more gradual manner.
If JMI is to maintain its educational standards while remaining inclusive, there is a need for a more balanced approach. The administration must justify these fee hikes transparently and consider offering more robust financial support, such as scholarships, fee waivers, or installment-based payment options for deserving students.
This fee increase cannot be viewed in isolation, as it follows a series of decisions that have made access to education more challenging for marginalized communities. For instance, the defunding of the Maulana Azad Foundation, which provided scholarships to minority students, and the suspension of pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for minority students, have compounded the financial challenges faced by these communities.
“The government needs to recognise the systemic barriers faced by marginalised groups, especially Muslim students, who are struggling to continue their education due to financial constraints. Education should remain an equaliser, not a barrier,” added Talha.
While protests against the fee hike are expected, there is a growing call for strategic, solution-oriented resistance. Students, faculty, and alumni must come together to demand a more phased fee increase, transparency in the decision-making process, and better financial support for students.
Education is a fundamental right, and as India aspires to foster social and economic equity, it is crucial that institutions like JMI remain accessible to all, not just those who can afford it. The university community must ensure that JMI continues to be a place of learning for everyone, regardless of their financial background.
The fight for affordable education, Talha concluded, is not merely about tuition fees—”it is about the future of an entire generation.”
