Students of Gauhati University enrolled under the Five-Year Integrated Master Programme and other self-financing courses have continued protests demanding a fee waiver or reduction across FYIMP courses.
The agitation at the university’s Jalukbari campus centres on what students describe as an excessive fee structure in a government university. Students said the current fees, combined with accommodation and living expenses in Guwahati, have placed significant pressure on many families.
Gauhati University FYIMP students are protesting against semester fees of ₹14,500 for Arts, ₹16,500 for Science, and around ₹25,000 for Commerce, excluding examination fees. Students are demanding a fee waiver or reduction, saying the cost is difficult to manage in a government university, especially for those living in Guwahati away from home.
Speaking to GPlus, a student said Arts students are paying ₹14,500 per semester, Science students ₹16,500, and Commerce students around ₹25,000, excluding examination fees. The student questioned how a government institution differs from a private institution if such fees are charged.
The fee concern is not new. A letter published earlier in The Sentinel also mentioned the same FYIMP semester fee structure and appealed for a reduction, saying many students were finding it difficult to manage payments every six months despite studying at a government university.
Another FYIMP student, who is from outside Guwahati, said the burden is heavier for non-local students because they also have to pay for PG accommodation, food, and other daily needs. The student said managing these expenses along with semester fees has become increasingly difficult.
For Guwahati, the issue is closely linked to the city’s role as Assam’s main higher education hub. Students from different districts come to the city for university education, often staying in rented rooms, hostels, or PG accommodations around Jalukbari, Adabari, Maligaon, and nearby areas.
The protest also reflects a wider affordability debate in public higher education. Gauhati University is a major government university, and students argue that self-financing course fees should not become a barrier for those from middle-class or economically weaker backgrounds.
In March 2026, Gauhati University students had reportedly ended a 30-hour hunger strike after the administration assured them that discussions would be held on the fee structure of five-year integrated courses. The university had also extended the re-admission deadline at that time.
A Gauhati University notification issued in April 2025 had stated that FYIMP students who failed to pay and submit re-admission fee receipts within the stipulated timeframe could be debarred from upcoming examinations. The notice also referred to re-admission fee payments for FYIMP students across Arts, Sciences, M.Voc, and Commerce.
Students are now seeking a clear decision on a fee waiver or reduction rather than repeated deadline extensions. Their demand is that the university and authorities review the fee model for all FYIMP and self-financing courses.
The next step will depend on how the Gauhati University administration responds to the students’ demand. For students and parents in Guwahati and across Assam, the issue matters because it raises a larger question: how affordable should government university education remain for those who depend on public institutions?
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Gauhati University |
| Location | Jalukbari, Guwahati |
| Programme | Five-Year Integrated Master Programme |
| Student demand | Fee waiver or reduction |
| Arts semester fee cited | ₹14,500 |
| Science semester fee cited | ₹16,500 |
| Commerce semester fee cited | Around ₹25,000 |
| Extra cost | Examination fees, PG rent, food and living expenses |
| Main concern | Affordability in a government university |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Gauhati University FYIMP students protesting?
FYIMP students are protesting against what they describe as high semester fees in a government university. They are demanding a fee waiver or reduction across FYIMP and self-financing courses.
How much are FYIMP students paying at Gauhati University?
Students said Arts students pay ₹14,500 per semester, Science students pay ₹16,500, and Commerce students pay around ₹25,000, excluding examination fees.
Why is this issue important for students from outside Guwahati?
Students from outside Guwahati also have to pay for PG accommodation, food, and other daily expenses. This makes the total cost of studying at Gauhati University higher for non-local students.
Has Gauhati University discussed the fee issue earlier?
Yes. In March 2026, students reportedly ended a hunger strike after the university administration assured them that talks would be held on the fee structure of five-year integrated courses.