DU SOL BA Fee Triples in 5 Years: Students Hit Hard by ₹10,230 Fee for 2025
Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (DU SOL) has released the fee structure for the academic year 2025-26, and the BA programme now costs ₹10,230 for General category students — nearly three times higher than it did in 2020.
From ₹3,500 in 2020 to ₹10,230 in 2025, Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (DU SOL) has increased the BA programme fee by nearly 200%, raising serious concerns over affordability, especially for disadvantaged students.
DU SOL Fee Structure 2025-26 Out: Steep Hike for BA Students
Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (DU SOL) has released the fee structure for the academic year 2025-26, and the BA programme now costs ₹10,230 for General category students — nearly three times higher than it did in 2020.
According to the official DU SOL website, the category-wise BA programme fees are:
| Category |
Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General (Category A) |
10,230 |
| SC/ST/PwD (Category B) |
6,480 |
The revised structure includes tuition fees, examination charges, university development funds, and service charges, in compliance with UGC guidelines.
Breakdown of the New Fee for General Category
| Component |
Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee |
2,000 |
| University Student Welfare Fund |
150 |
| University Development Fund |
600 |
| College Development Fund |
500 |
| Examination Fee |
1,000 |
| College Facilities and Services Charges |
1,500 |
| Reappear Section Support + University Fund |
1,480 |
| Total |
10,230 |
Fee Trends: From ₹3,500 in 2020 to ₹10,230 in 2025-26
DU SOL’s BA programme fee was just ₹3,500 in 2020. Based on available trends, the 2024-25 fee is estimated to have been between ₹9,000 and ₹9,500. The jump reflects a steady annual increase, likely averaging ₹1,300 per year, pushing the 2025-26 fee to ₹10,230.
This fee hike follows Delhi University’s broader financial strategy. The varsity aims to generate over ₹246 crore from student fees in 2025-26, reflecting a growing reliance on student contributions as government subsidies shrink.
UGC Guidelines and Transparency Questions
While the University Grants Commission (UGC) updated its norms for fee refunds in 2025, it has not issued specific caps or guidance regarding steep fee hikes for open learning institutions like DU SOL. This has triggered concerns about the transparency and regulation of distance education pricing.
Students, Teachers React: ‘Education is Becoming a Privilege’
Students and educators have voiced strong reactions to the hike. One student wrote on social media, “This fee hike is a shock. Many of us come from families where even ₹3,500 was a stretch. Now it feels like education is no longer a right.”
A DU faculty member added, “Universities certainly need funds, but abrupt hikes without clear explanation alienate those who need these courses the most. Accessibility must be protected.”
Is Distance Education Becoming Unaffordable?
DU SOL’s fee hike is part of a wider national trend in higher education where costs are rising amid declining public funding. As open and distance learning (ODL) programmes become more expensive, concerns grow around inclusivity and access — especially for working students, women, and those in rural areas.
The total tuition fee for BA and BA (Hons) courses offered by the University of Delhi ranges between INR 540 and INR 1.5 lakh depending on the college a student is seeking or taking admission to. In addition to the affiliated college, BA course fee is also dependent on the specialisation selected by the student for the same. This information is sourced from official website/ sanctioning body and is subject to change. Hence, is indicative.
In reality, the total fee that a student is required to pay is much higher than 540 Indian Rupees. This is because there are other fee components which are charged by DU colleges which include application fee, development charges, exam fee and other components.
The below table mentions the BA Hons/ BA fee for the top 5 popular DU colleges:
| College Name | BA (Hons) Specialisations | Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hindu College | English, Hindi, Economics +more specialisations | INR 52,680 - INR 52,770 |
| Miranda House | English, Hindi, Economics +more specialisations | INR 42,480 - INR 51,240 |
| LSR College | Philosophy, History, English +more specialisations | INR 53,640 - INR 83,640 |
| Hansraj College | English, Hindi, Economics +more specialisations | INR 540 |
| Gargi College | English, Hindi, Political Science +more specialisations | INR 24,160 - INR 49,420 |
NOTE: The mentioned fee is as per the official website/sanctioning body. It is subject to changes, hence, is indicative.
More details on the same must be obtained by the students from the admission office of the DU affiliated college a student is interested to get into.
SOL MBA tuition fee is INR 20,000. This fee is calculated based on the first-year fee. The actual amount may vary. Further, some other components may also be added to the total fee. The application fee for MBA is INR 500 for unreserved/ OBC and INR 300 for SC/ST/PwD category candidates.
Conclusion
DU SOL’s new BA fee of ₹10,230 (General category) and ₹6,480 (SC/ST/PwD) for 2025-26 marks a threefold increase since 2020. While the university cites rising operational costs, the lack of clear communication and regulatory oversight has left many questioning the future of affordable distance education in India.
Trending Keywords (SEO): DU SOL fee hike 2025, Delhi University BA program fee, DU SOL 2025-26 fee structure, DU SOL BA fees tripled, distance education fee hike, DU SOL official website, UGC fee norms 2025, open learning affordability India.
Read More:
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com
Related News
Latest News
Next Story
SOL DU BA fee is INR 1,500. The fee mentioned here is the total tuition fee and does not include components such as University Student Welfare Fund, College Student Welfare Fund and University Development Fund, among others. For a detailed DU SOL BA fee structure, candidates can refer to the table given below:
Components
Fees in INR
Tuition Fee
INR 1,500
University Student Welfare Fund
100
College Student Welfare Fund
100
University Development Fund
900
College Development Fund
300
University Facilities and Services Charges
500
College Facilities and Services Charges
2500
Economically Weaker Section Support University
Fund
100
Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Fund
Not applicable
Total
5,000