Students Rally Against Fee Hike at IIT Guwahati

The campus of IIT Guwahati has become the epicenter of student protests following a substantial increase in fees for various courses. On Tuesday, hundreds of research scholars and MTech students gathered to voice their discontent over what they describe as an ‘exceptionally high’ fee hike. The protests, which began the previous afternoon, intensified overnight as students marched to rally support.

Alleged Breach of Agreement Fuels Discontent

The unrest was sparked by the administration’s alleged failure to honor commitments made during an open house session on July 17. The session, led by the director and senior officials of IIT Guwahati, was intended to address concerns about the revised fee structure. However, students claim that promises of a fee revision were not fulfilled, leading to heightened tensions on the day of registration for the July-November semester.

Impact on Students’ Academic Progress

As registration commenced on Tuesday, research scholars found themselves unable to register due to non-payment of fees. This situation forced many students to either pay the increased amount or face academic delays. The protests have disrupted academic activities, with students refusing to pay until the fee hike is reversed.

Details of the Fee Increase

The fee for PhD students has risen by Rs 10,900 for the current semester, reaching Rs 45,700 from Rs 34,800 in the previous term. Incoming students face a total fee of Rs 92,000 per semester, significantly exceeding their stipends. Part-time scholars have also experienced a steep increase in fees from Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000 per semester.

Additional Financial Burdens

Students allege that IIT Guwahati does not release house rent allowance (HRA) provided by the center and charges additional hostel fees. Furthermore, various other fees have seen significant hikes: mess fees have increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 22,000; gymkhana fees have doubled; medical fees have quintupled; and hostel-related charges have surged.

Broader Implications and Future Actions

The protests are expected to grow as BTech students plan to join the movement. Despite the mounting pressure, IIT Guwahati has yet to issue an official statement regarding the ongoing demonstrations and allegations.