Student bodies oppose annual exam fee hike by Panjab University
Leaders of different student bodies have submitted a memorandum to the authorities of the Panjab University over the hiked exam fee being collected ahead of the first semester examinations for the current academic session.
The decision to hike the examination fee was approved by the Senate, PU’s governing body, in February this year. The Senate had approved five per cent hike in the examination fee.
According to the data, also available on PU’s website for submitting examination fee, students enrolled in BA, BA (Hons), BEd, BSc, BSc (Hons), MA, MSc (Hons), MCom, MCom (Hons) and postgraduate diplomas, have to deposit Rs 3,210 as examination fee per semester. The pupils of same courses paid an amount of Rs 2,980 as fee in 2023-24 and Rs 2,835 in 2022-23.
Students have been paying
Rs 5,070 for MBA, LLM (annual system), Master of Mass Communication, MSc (IT), MSc (Industrial Chemistry), MSc (Home Science), MPharmacy and MSc (Nursing) as exam fee.
The fee was also increased to Rs 4,710 in 2023-24 and Rs 4,485 in 2022-23. Moreover, students pursuing BDS from PU’s Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences, have been told to pay Rs 11,280 while they were supposed to deposit Rs 10,490 in 2023-24 and
Rs 9,985 in 2022-23. “We stand with students for their demand to roll back consistent exam fee hike. The authorities should act in favour of students,” said Rajat Puri, ABVP leader.
The examination fee for PhD research scholars (all faculties), has been hiked from Rs 15,750 to Rs 16,940 this time. The fee was also increased to Rs 15,000 in 2022-23 session.
Late fee also hiked
Late fee for examination form has also shot up this year. Students can submit forms with late fee of Rs 2,580 till October 7, with Rs 7,550 till October 14, with Rs 13,640 till October 18 and with
Rs 26,050 till November 7. The slabs in 2023-2024 were Rs 2,400, Rs 7,020, Rs 12,680 and Rs 24,230; and Rs 2,285, Rs 6,685, Rs 12,075 and Rs 23,075 for 2022-23.
Commenting on the issue, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig said, “A committee has been set up to look into the examination fee hike.”
