The Gujarat Technological University (GTU) has increased the annual examination fees for the first-year students from Rs 125 to Rs 1,500. This 12-fold increase will be applicable to all the engineering, pharmacy and diploma polytechnic colleges affiliated to GTU.There are nearly 200 colleges affiliated to GTU in the state with around 55,000 students in the first year. During the current academic year, the first-year students of engineering, pharmacy and diploma polytechnic colleges, which were under the Gujarat University (GU), were transferred to GTU, which was established this year.GTU has decided Rs 125 per subject as exanimation fees. Also, the university will now take Rs 100 per workshop from every student, which was not there earlier.GTU Registrar N N Bhupatani told Newsline: “There is no major increase in the examination fees if we compare them with the universities of other states. Their fees nearly five years ago were around Rs 1,250, which might have increased further.”He said further: “GTU is a state-level university and we have to think accordingly. We want to provide good facilities and infrastructure to the students. And for that, we need money. So, I don’t think this step will harm anyone. Even the colleges have no issues which this decision.”He went on to say that in Gujarat itself the fees in other universities range between Rs 650 and Rs 1,000. “GU has the lowest examination fees,” he added.
