Guwahati: Gauhati University has issued a formal clarification regarding its fee structure for the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme and the Five-Year Integrated Master's Programme. The statement aims to address growing unrest among students who have expressed concerns about rising costs and confusion over admission guidelines for the seventh and eighth semesters.
The university stated that recent claims regarding an arbitrary fee hike are factually incorrect. Officials explained that the five-year integrated program, launched in May 2023 under the National Education Policy 2020, operates on a self-financing model. Because the university receives no additional state grants or infrastructure support for this initiative, the existing fee structure is necessary to cover operational costs.
Tensions reached a breaking point earlier this week when students at Darrang College staged protests, including road blocks and the burning of an effigy, to demand clarity on their academic futures. Students reported significant anxiety regarding the transition to postgraduate studies, particularly for those who did not take the Common University Entrance Test. The All Assam Students' Union has since submitted a formal memorandum requesting a clear policy for progression within the program.
In response to the logistical challenges posed by the new curriculum, the university highlighted its efforts to expand capacity. Authorities have converted a former hostel into classrooms and added two floors to the NEP Coordination Centre. A new academic block is currently under construction to support the increased enrollment and the requirement for seamless transitions between undergraduate and postgraduate studies without separate entrance exams.
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