Delhi University Announces Another Fee Increase for 2026-27 Session
Delhi University has implemented another fee hike for institution-level facilities starting from the 2026-27 academic session. This marks the second increase in just six months, continuing a concerning upward trend in the university's portion of student fees.
Sharp Rise in University's Fee Share
With this latest revision, DU's total share in the consolidated student fee now stands at Rs 4,100. This represents a significant jump from the Rs 3,500 fixed in July last year. The university has raised its fees by over 17% in just half a year.
This increase far exceeds DU's own stated policy of limiting annual fee hikes to approximately 10% to offset inflation. While the absolute amount might seem modest to some, college officials express serious concerns about the pace and regularity of these adjustments.
Breaking Down the Revised Fee Structure
According to an internal notification dated January 2 and circulated to colleges, the revised fee structure includes several components:
- University Development Fund: Rs 1,750
- University facilities and services charges: Rs 1,750
- Economically Weaker Section Support University Fund: Rs 300
- University Students' Welfare Fund: Rs 300
This latest hike follows another increase implemented just six months ago in July. At that time, DU raised its share from previous levels to Rs 3,500. The University Development Fund saw a 25% jump from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500, while facilities charges increased by 20% from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500.
Four-Year Fee Doubling Trend
Over the past four academic sessions, DU's fee share has more than doubled. The University Development Fund has climbed steadily from Rs 900 in 2022 to Rs 1,000 in 2023, Rs 1,200 in 2024, Rs 1,500 in 2025, and now reaches Rs 1,750.
Similarly, facilities and services charges have risen sharply from Rs 500 in 2022 to Rs 1,000 in 2023, Rs 1,250 in 2024, Rs 1,500 in 2025, and now Rs 1,750. The EWS Welfare Fund began at Rs 100 in 2022, increased to Rs 150 in 2023, Rs 200 in 2024, Rs 250 in 2025, and has now reached Rs 300.
College Administrations Express Concern
The cumulative fee hikes over recent years, particularly this latest 17% jump, have raised alarms among college administrations. College principals have highlighted the impact of repeated increases on students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
One principal noted that constant fee hikes have pushed the accumulated fee for undergraduate programs in top-tier colleges to Rs 30,000-40,000 per semester. Another pointed out that while DU's fees might still appear modest compared to private or foreign institutions, the consistent upward revision for a public university reflects a worrying long-term trend.
University's Justification and Response
Delhi University has previously defended fee revisions by citing rising operational costs and inflation. The university maintains that an annual increase of around 10% is necessary to sustain university-level services and infrastructure development.
No immediate response was available from university officials regarding this latest fee hike. The university's silence on the matter has only heightened concerns among college administrations and student communities.
As Delhi University continues this pattern of regular fee increases, questions remain about accessibility and affordability for students from economically diverse backgrounds. The rapid pace of hikes, exceeding the university's own inflation-adjustment policy, suggests a fundamental shift in how India's premier public university approaches funding its operations.
