The National Students Union of India (NSUI) on Thursday called off the strike it had launched at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) a day earlier, following assurances from university officials that their demands would be considered. The demands included a reduction in entrance examination fees, making extra credit courses optional, and increasing the stipend under the earn-and-learn scheme.
Key Demands and Protest Details
The protest, which began on Wednesday, saw three NSUI activists on a hunger strike. The union highlighted that SPPU's entrance fees had increased sharply in recent years. Political science student Siddhant Jambhulkar, one of the hunger strikers, stated that in the 2023-24 academic year, the fee was Rs400 for reserved category students and Rs600 for open category students. By the 2026-27 academic year, it had risen to Rs800 and Rs1,000 respectively.
According to NSUI, the university spent only about Rs36 lakh to conduct entrance exams in 2024-25, while earning Rs1.6 crore. Similarly, in 2025-26, it spent Rs8.6 lakh against a revenue of Rs71.9 lakh. Jambhulkar emphasized that SPPU is a dream for many students in Maharashtra, especially those from Marathwada and Vidarbha, and urged that the entrance fee be reduced to Rs300 to ensure access for bright but poor students.
Extra Credit Courses and Stipend Demands
The NSUI also demanded that extra credit courses, such as cyber security, be made optional. Students are currently required to pay Rs1,510 annually for these courses, which are conducted online and whose credits do not appear in official marksheets. Another key demand was to increase the stipend under the earn-and-learn scheme from Rs55 to Rs80 per hour for disadvantaged students.
University Response
SPPU's officiating registrar, Prafulla Pawar, stated that the university views the demands positively. He explained that a management committee meeting is scheduled for April 25, where the demands will be presented for consideration. Since decisions at SPPU require approval from designated authorities, the process must follow proper channels. After explaining this to the NSUI members, they agreed to cease the protest based on the assurance.
