Delhi University Hikes Fees Across the Board for First-Year Students

The University of Delhi (DU) has announced a significant hike in tuition fees for all first-year students across its undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes. The new fee structure, which is set to take effect from the 2024-25 academic year, represents a substantial increase compared to the previous rates.

For undergraduate courses, the fee hike ranges from 20% to 30%, depending on the specific programme. This means that students enrolling in popular courses like B.A. (Hons) Economics or B.Tech. Computer Science will now have to pay thousands more in tuition fees. The increases are even more pronounced for postgraduate and doctoral programmes, with some fees going up by as much as 40%.

Delhi University officials have justified the decision by citing the need to keep pace with rising operational costs and maintain the quality of education. They have also emphasized that the additional revenue generated will be used to upgrade infrastructure, enhance faculty development, and introduce new academic initiatives.

However, the move has been met with strong opposition from student organizations and advocacy groups. They argue that the fee hike will place a significant financial burden on students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, and could effectively price many aspiring learners out of a DU education.

Critics also point out that the university’s decision lacks transparency and fails to address concerns about the overall affordability of higher education in the country. They have called for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to policy decisions that impact the student community.

As the debate surrounding the fee hike continues, it remains to be seen how the university will respond to the growing concerns and whether it will consider any mitigating measures to ensure that access to quality education remains within reach for all deserving students.