Sirsa varsity students protest 10-fold increase in mercy chance exam fee

Students of Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, are up in arms against the steep hike in 2025 mercy chance exam fee.

A notification issued on August 25 set the fee at Rs 8,000, a significant jump from Rs 750 in 2024. This 10-fold hike has sparked widespread anger among students, especially those from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

On Tuesday, student leaders visited the university’s administrative block to submit a memorandum at the Registrar’s office. Later, they raised their concerns with the Controller of Examinations.

The aggrieved students met the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, urging for a rollback of the fee hike.

Student leader Satbir Kumar argued that most students at the CDLU come from villages and belong to the SC, ST and BC categories, relying on government scholarships. For them, fee hike is a massive financial burden, he said.

Satbir said the decision was unjustified and a direct attack on the future of poor and middle-class students. He also called the hike “arbitrary” and said students would not accept it under any circumstances.

Many students described the fee hike as exploitative. A student said, “My entire education is funded by a scholarship. If paying the regular fee is already difficult, how can we afford an extra Rs 8,000? This may force us to quit our studies.” Others warned of protests if the decision isn’t reversed.

Controller of Examinations Prof Rajkumar Salar said, “The CDLU will conduct special exams from September 16, including mercy chance for students who have exhausted their last attempt. Under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof Vijay Kumar, these exams aim to support students. The last date to submit online form is September 5. The fee is Rs 8,000 for regular chance, Rs 15,000 for mercy chance and Rs 5,000 for the SC, ST, PWD and EWS students.”