Delhi University has announced another hike in institution-level fees for the 2026–27 session, raising concerns among colleges over repeated increases, affordability for students, and the growing financial burden at a public university.
Delhi University has announced an increase in institution-level fees from the 2026–27 academic session, marking the second hike in the past six months and continuing a steady upward trend in the university’s share of the consolidated student fee. The move has sparked concern among college administrations, which warn that repeated revisions could burden students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
With the latest revision, DU’s total share in the combined fee has risen to Rs 4,100, up from Rs 3,500 fixed in July 2025 — an increase of over 17% in just six months. This rise exceeds the university’s stated policy of limiting annual fee increases to around 10% to offset inflation and rising operational costs.
According to a revised fee structure notification dated January 2 and circulated internally to colleges, the University Development Fund (UDF) has been fixed at Rs 1,750, while university facilities and services charges have also been set at Rs 1,750. In addition, students will pay Rs 300 towards the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Support University Fund and another Rs 300 towards the University Students’ Welfare Fund.
While the absolute amount may appear modest, college officials argue that the pace and regularity of these hikes are a cause for concern.
“For a public university like DU, which caters to students from a wide range of economic backgrounds, repeated fee increases over successive years signal a worrying long-term trend,” a senior college official said.
Last July, DU had already raised its share to Rs 3,500. At that time, the UDF was increased from Rs 1,200 in 2024 to Rs 1,500 in 2025 — a 25% jump — while facilities and services charges rose from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500, a 20% increase. The EWS Welfare Fund was also raised from Rs 200 to Rs 250, reflecting a 25% hike in a single year.
Data over the past four academic sessions show that DU’s share has more than doubled. The UDF has risen steadily from Rs 900 in 2022 to Rs 1,000 in 2023, Rs 1,200 in 2024, Rs 1,500 in 2025, and now Rs 1,750. Similarly, facilities and services charges have climbed sharply from Rs 500 in 2022 to Rs 1,750 this year. The EWS Welfare Fund, which began at Rs 100 in 2022, has now touched Rs 300.
DU has previously defended fee revisions by citing inflation and rising operational costs, maintaining that an annual increase of around 10% is necessary to sustain university-level services and infrastructure. However, no immediate response was available on the latest hike.
College principals have warned that cumulative increases are pushing undergraduate fees in top-tier colleges to Rs 30,000-40,000 per semester. “Even if DU still appears affordable compared to private or foreign universities, the consistent upward revision for a public institution is a troubling signal,” one principal said.
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Richa Choudhary
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