Recently, Delhi University hiked its fees for all first-year undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D.-pursuing students. It has raised a lot of hue and cry in the minds of students and their families. The increment in fees certainly also serves as a measure in order to help the university meet a possibly increasing financial burden and is likely to add to fresh challenges to the new batch with probable changes in the academic journey. This feature story gives information on the effect of this fee hike and how students are trying to come to grips with the financial burden.

It has been learnt that the DU has taken a decision for fee hike in view of spiking expenses incurred towards maintaining the infrastructure of the university, salary of faculty members, and research facilities and whole range of academic resources. The administration has also clarified that increase in fees is thoroughly necessary to ensure perpetuation of quality education and maintaining the tag of DU being a frontline educational institution.

While the administration makes some valid points in its argument, it doubtless shocked the students and their families with the financial burden brought about by its sudden rise. Such a rise in fees adds increased pressure to what is already a complex and often difficult transition into university life. The majority of these students come from different socio-economic backgrounds, and the increase may well make most of them either stop pursuing this course in university life or take into consideration other alternative options. It gradually becomes very tough on the student to shoulder the burden of higher fees with other expenses such as accommodation, buying textbooks, and living costs.

Realizing the impact the hike in fees is likely to have on the students, DU is taking steps to introduce financial help in the form of a large number of scholarships, grants, and loans. This will definitely be helpful for the meritorious students who are likely to get affected by the rising financial demands. In addition, the university will team up with some external agencies to provide better financial help. But it is yet to be seen how many would really benefit and get an access to them.

Organizing and unionizing among students is growing, as can be seen through protests against the increment of fees, with demands for cheap education. Campus rallies, protests, and debates are common to sensitize more inclusive and more accessible education. Such groups have engaged administration for a halt in planned fee increments and looking for other ways to empower students with disabilities.

The increase in the university fees has mounted pressure, calling for a review in the overall financial structure of the university. Students, faculty, and administrators meet at a roundtable discussion focusing on how to come up with long-lasting solutions that will not only ensure the quality of education but also ensure that any student should be in a position to afford it. This also entails the finding of innovative models for financing, external partnerships, and funds for scholarship that are sustainable.

One of the most serious problems the students and their families are facing is the increase in fees for first-year UG, PG, and PhD students in DU. The problem has reopened the argument pertaining to access and affordability to higher education in general. While the students are pitted against such financial odds, stakeholders themselves need to join hands and find a solution that will safeguard the academic excellence of the university, providing some relief to the financial woes of the student community.