Protests Erupt at IIT Guwahati Over Excessive Fee Hike
Students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have taken to the streets in protest, chanting slogans like “Kam karo, kam karo, fee hike kam karo” to demand a reduction in the recently announced fee hike. The demonstration, which began on Monday and escalated into a mass rally on Tuesday, saw hundreds of research scholars and MTech students expressing their dissatisfaction with what they describe as an “exceptionally high” increase in tuition fees.
The agitation has affected not only PhD students but also those enrolled in BTech and MTech programs. Students claim that the sudden hike has placed a heavy financial burden on them, making it difficult to continue their studies without additional support. The protests were triggered by what students perceive as a broken promise from the institute’s administration. During an open house session held on July 17, the director, deans, and senior officials had assured students that the revised fee structure would be reconsidered. However, students say these assurances have not been honored.
“During the open house, the administration told us they were willing to listen. In reality, it now seems they were just trying to buy time,” said one PhD scholar, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Registration for the July–November semester began on Tuesday, but we weren’t allowed to register without paying the increased fees. This, despite promises of a revision.”
Tensions escalated when research scholars were reportedly denied access to departmental registration due to unpaid dues. This move was seen as a violation of the institute’s verbal commitments. In response, students gathered in large numbers, refusing to pay the increased fees until the hike is reversed.
Some students, facing imminent deadlines and academic uncertainty, paid the hiked fees under protest. However, many continue to resist the new charges. “Our research is on hold, our future uncertain, and we’re out here protesting under the blazing sun,” one student said.
According to figures cited by the protesting scholars, the fee increase is significant. The PhD semester fee, for instance, has risen from ₹34,800 in January–May 2025 to ₹45,700 for the ongoing semester, a jump of ₹10,900. For incoming PhD students, the upfront fee is reportedly as high as ₹92,000, while their per-semester costs could reach ₹57,000—nearly ₹20,000 more than their monthly stipend.
Part-time scholars have also been hit hard. Their fees have reportedly surged tenfold, from ₹2,500 to ₹25,000 per semester.
In addition to the fee hike, PhD students allege that IIT Guwahati has failed to disburse the House Rent Allowance (HRA) mandated by the central government. At the same time, scholars are still being charged hostel fees—a double blow they claim amounts to the institute “pocketing money twice.” These grievances have further fueled the unrest, with students demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.
