SPPU raises exam fees by 20%, NSUI calls it ‘financial exploitation’

“With the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels from the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25, there have been changes in the structure of the examination planning, evaluation, and result process. Accordingly, a change in the examination fee is in order. Against this backdrop, the university authorities have decided to increase the examination fee by only 20% from the academic year 2025-26, instead of the pending minimum direct 55% fee increase,” the notice added.

Student groups oppose

Siddhant Jambhulkar, president, NSUI at SPPU, opposed the increase in fees and said, “The financial exploitation of students has become a grave concern. The university, instead of functioning as a public institution, is increasingly operating like a private one. This exploitation goes far beyond examination fees—it extends to this year’s hike in entrance fees, the charges imposed for extra credit courses, and even the heavy fees collected during the contractual recruitment of professors.”

Rahul Sasane, President of the University Student Struggle Action Committee, also opposed the increase in fees. The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad did not share a statement regarding the issue.

The increased examination fees for all courses can be accessed at http://sppudocs.unipune.ac.in/sites/news_events/Lists/News%20and%20Announcements/Attachments/10374/Exam_Fee%20Structure_2025.pdf.