Fee Hike in IITs, IIMs, Central Varsities; 37% of IIT UG Students Get Full Fee Waiver, 10% Receive 2/3rd Remission: Govt

IIT UG Fees Doubled to ₹2 Lakh Since 2016, IIM MBA Costs Now Surpass ₹20 Lakh at Top Institutes

The government has addressed concerns regarding fee hikes in premier institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and central universities in response to a Parliament question. While confirming that some institutions have revised their fee structures, the government highlighted that multiple waiver schemes and financial aid provisions are available for students from marginalized backgrounds. According to official data, undergraduate tuition fees at IITs were doubled in 2016 from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakh per annum, while MBA program costs at top IIMs have surpassed ₹20 lakh.

Fee Waivers and Financial Aid

According to official data, IITs provide full tuition fee waivers to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) students. Additionally, students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) with a family income below ₹1 lakh per annum receive full waivers, while those with family incomes between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh are granted a two-thirds tuition fee waiver. In the 2024-25 academic year, more than 37% of IIT UG students received full tuition waivers or full fee remission, while over 10% benefited from a two-thirds remission.

For IIMs, financial aid schemes vary across institutions. Many IIMs have need-based scholarships covering tuition fees for students from low-income families, with additional scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education and external funding agencies. The central universities also provide merit-cum-means scholarships, SC/ST scholarships, and fee concessions to support financially disadvantaged students.

IIT Fee Hike Details

The response in Parliament acknowledged that some IITs have increased their tuition fees in recent years. The undergraduate program tuition fee was raised in 2016 from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakh per annum, affecting general category students. However, full fee waivers remain available for SC, ST, and PwD students, while EWS students receive partial concessions. Additionally, M.Tech and PhD programs have also seen periodic fee increases across IITs.

Similarly, IIMs have periodically revised their fees, with flagship MBA program costs at top IIMs now exceeding ₹20 lakh. Despite this, students from economically weaker backgrounds receive considerable financial aid, ensuring that meritorious students are not denied opportunities due to financial constraints.

Govt’s Stand on Accessibility

The Ministry of Education reiterated that affordability and accessibility remain key priorities. It emphasized that premier institutions continue to offer various scholarships, interest-free loan schemes, and need-based financial assistance to ensure that students from all socio-economic backgrounds can access quality higher education without financial burden. The government’s response aims to balance institutional financial sustainability with inclusivity, ensuring that deserving students can continue to pursue education at India’s top institutions despite periodic fee revisions.

Read More

• Calcutta University Colleges Decline PM Internship Scheme Amid Selection Confusion
• ​ Kerala Assembly Passes Private University Bill Amid Opposition, Student Protests