Aligarh Muslim University claims it is nominal fee hike with adequate safeguards for students from EWS

MUMBAI: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) administration has clarified the feel hike is nominal with adequate safeguards for students from Economically Weaker Section (EWS).The administration accused the vested interests of spreading misinformation regarding the recent revision of tuition and hostel fees."By spreading baseless rumours, these elements have sought to create unnecessary apprehensions among students and their parents. In the interest of transparency, the university has clarified the facts and placed on record the actual sequence of developments," said the administration's release through Public Relations Office.

The release added that the current controversy followed nearly two weeks of student protests, including a sit-in (dharna) and a hunger strike by two students.

The matter was, however, amicably resolved through detailed discussions between student representatives and University functionaries under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor. A broad consensus was reached to cap the fee hike at 20%, in line with the Academic Council’s recent decisions, and a revised, rationalised fee structure was approved.

"Unfortunately, this amicable resolution has not gone down well with certain vested groups, who are now trying to instigate innocent students to serve their narrow personal interests," said the release.

The university clarified that the revision was carried out after a long gap and only after thorough deliberations and statutory approvals. The hike has been capped at 20%, with actual increases across different courses ranging from 1.75% to 18.5%, well within the agreed ceiling.The impact on students’ monthly expenditure, authorities stressed, is minimal. Continuation charges have increased by less than ₹100 per month, while hostel charges have gone up by less than ₹30 per month.

Even after the revision, AMU remains among the most affordable universities in the country, with hostel fees as low as ₹208 per month. This amount includes not just accommodation, but also the annual dinner, the Hall magazine, sports and common room facilities, high-speed internet access, and other amenities.The university administration emphasised that every additional rupee collected will be ploughed back into student welfare — including modernisation of classrooms and laboratories, upgradation of hostels, and strengthening of sports and cultural infrastructure.In the interest of students from weaker financial backgrounds, the university has announced strong safeguards. Scholarships, fee waivers, and financial assistance will continue to be provided on the basis of economic criteria, ensuring that no student is denied education due to financial hardship, said the release. A special committee, constituted by the Vice-Chancellor, is already working on modalities to expand such assistance in a transparent and equitable manner.Reaffirming its stand, the AMU administration stated: “The fee revision is calibrated, reasonable, and necessary for the University’s development. AMU will remain one of the most affordable institutions in the country, even as it strengthens its academic and residential facilities. Attempts by vested groups to derail this process will not succeed.”