Fee waiver for transgenders in higher education extended to diploma courses

The decision was taken in a state-level review meeting held by the Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, who appealed universities to bear the expenses and Vice Chancellors present for the meeting unanimously agreed to it.

Following the decision, A Government Resolution (GR) was declared on Thursday which added diploma courses to the list of higher education institutions which will waive off fees for transgenders.

The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) will bear the cost of fees of students in Diploma courses.

“All other professional courses such as management, engineering are already covered under the decision of fee-waiver for transgenders in universities and affiliated colleges, along with traditional courses. But Diploma courses are regulated by the MSBTE. Thus a specific directive was required for the same,” said an official from the department.

The GR officially instructs public universities and MSBTE to pay fees for transgender students through their own funds.