Guwahati: Amid protests by Gauhati University students demanding a rollback of fees for the Five-Year Integrated Master's Programme (FYIMP), the university authorities on Wednesday clarified that there has been no increase in fees for any programme.
"It is further clarified that, in comparison to other universities in Assam, the fee structure of the FYIMP programme at Gauhati University is comparatively lower than that of many other universities," the GU authority stated in a statement on Wednesday.
At the time of introduction for the session 2023-24, the GU authority said that the per-semester fees for FYIMP were fixed at Rs. 16,500 for Science stream subjects and Rs. 14,500 for Arts stream subjects. "It may also be noted that although FYIMP is categorized as a self-financing programme, the fees collected meet only a fraction of the actual expenditure incurred by the University. Despite this substantial financial burden, Gauhati University reduced the fees by Rs. 2,000 from the academic session 2025–26 onwards for even and subsequent semesters in order to lessen the financial burden on students and their families," it added.
The administration on Wednesday said that in a student-friendly initiative, GU has now decided to extend fee waiver benefits to eligible BPL students enrolled in FYIMP from the current semester. "This decision reflects the University’s continued commitment to inclusive and equitable access to higher education," GU said.
However, it added that any further reduction in fees may place significant constraints on the University’s limited internal resources, which could eventually affect the continuation of certain FYIMP programmes.
"Further, from the 7th semester onwards, students enrolled in the FYIMP programme will be considered at par with regular postgraduate students, and the fee structure applicable to regular PG programmes will be followed. Gauhati University remains steadfast in its commitment to providing quality higher education in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, while continuing to uphold the principles of academic excellence, affordability, inclusiveness, and student welfare," stated the release.
Gauhati University introduced the Five-Year Integrated Master’s Programme (FYIMP) in May 2023 as part of its initiative to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The programme was formally launched at a meeting held at Gauhati University in the presence of the Chief Minister and the Education Minister of Assam.
Meanwhile, the GU authority also clarified concerns raised regarding the fee structure associated with the implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP). In this regard, GU said that the contention made by the Assam College Principals’ Council (ACPC) that Gauhati University has increased the fees payable by colleges to the University by "almost four-fold" is not supported by facts. "Such a claim presents a misleading picture and does not adequately reflect the rationale, regulatory provisions, and comparative framework underlying the proposed revision," GU said.
