IIT Guwahati Students Intensify Protest Against Fee Hike

Guwahati: Research scholars and postgraduate students of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have intensified their protest against the “hefty” fee hike, which the institute says is necessary for the welfare of students and to improve their activities.

The protesters said the fee hike decision was taken without any transparency and without consulting students, especially PhD scholars. “None of the 8,500 students were informed about the fee revision, which suddenly appeared on the fee payment portal,” said a student on condition of anonymity.

After talks with the management failed, students began protesting on July 22. They demanded official confirmation from IIT-Guwahati authorities that no penalty or late fee would be levied and no fellowships would be deducted due to delay in fee payment. Also, they demanded a revision of the fee structure.

IIT Guwahati: Statement Issued

IIT-Guwahati defended the hike of ₹8,900 per semester for “continuing students” after a gap of seven years.

A statement issued by the institute said, “The revision is to promote student welfare and activities, including increased allocation for hostel-level events, cultural and sports festivals, and gymkhana-led initiatives beyond just intra-IIT participation.”

On July 17, the administration held a four-hour open house to give detailed information about the fee hike. Students were told that the institute has set up a student welfare fund to provide loans to the needy. After the meeting, they were encouraged to give their opinions about the fee revision; however, there was no response.

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