A significant controversy has erupted at Kerala University, with student leaders demanding an immediate review of what they term an "exorbitant" penalty imposed on first-year undergraduates for delayed fee payments. The issue centers on a steep and sudden hike in the late registration fine, which has caused widespread concern among the student community.
Student Leader Challenges VC on Fee Fairness
Simjo Samuel Zachariah, the state general secretary of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and a member of the university senate, has formally urged Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal to reassess the decision. In a strongly-worded letter, Zachariah argued that the "super fine" fixed for first-semester registration under the four-year undergraduate programme is completely unjustifiable and lacks proportionality.
The Core of the Controversy: A One-Day, Massive Fee Jump
The heart of the dispute lies in the university's notification dated December 1, 2025. As per this notice, the penalty for delayed registration up to December 6, 2025, was set at a manageable Rs 150. However, the fee structure takes a drastic turn immediately after. From December 8, 2025, the penalty skyrockets to a substantial Rs 400.
Zachariah highlighted that this considerable increase, occurring within a mere one-day gap, has raised serious questions about the fairness and rationale behind the fee model. Students and their representatives are alarmed by the lack of a gradual escalation, viewing the jump from Rs 150 to Rs 400 as punitive rather than corrective.
Call for a Reasonable and Proportional Solution
In his communication to the Vice-Chancellor, the senate member did not just raise the problem but also proposed a solution. The letter explicitly calls for the university authorities to review the current fee structure for delayed registration. The demand is to scrap the current high penalty and instead establish a reasonable and fair fine that does not place an undue financial burden on students.
This move by the KSU leader underscores the growing tension between university administrations and student bodies over fee structures and financial policies. The outcome of this appeal is being closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how similar issues are handled in the future, impacting thousands of students enrolled in the four-year undergraduate programme.
