Mumbai University hikes M.Sc. exam fee

Mumbai: The University of Mumbai (MU) has hiked the examination fees for its Masters of Science (M.Sc) course from Rs 660 to Rs 1,560 amid protests from students. This hike is applicable to all subjects under the science stream like physics, chemistry, mathematics, botany, zoology and environmental science.

According to MU sources, this fee hike would soon be applicable to all under-graduate (UG) and post-graduate (PG) courses. The varsity sent a circular regarding the fee hike to all its affiliated colleges.

However, students who have fighting against the hike since Tuesday, feel that doubling the fees is just too much. Tanvi Patil, a PG student from the Institute of Science, Colaba, said, "Initially, the fee per semester was Rs 660, which has now been suddenly be hiked to Rs 1,560. There is a drastic increase of Rs 900 which is not a joke for us." Patil and her colleagues have been constantly trying to meet the MU officials but with no response.

Sachin Pawar, a law student and president of the Students Law Council said, "Recently, the MU decreased the 'revaluation' or re-examination fees by Rs 500 for both UG and PG. And now I am hearing that they have increased the examination fees? This means that they closed one door and opened another door. They are pretending to be good, when all they are doing is looting students."

According to MU sources, this matter has been taken seriously by officials, who are planning to do something about this hike in examination fees. "It would be better if the students don't rush and fill the examination fees online. They should wait till the matter is taken up in the official meeting. Looking at the pressure, there are chances of the hike coming down," said the source.

A majority of the students have decided to wait till September 29 or 30 for filling the form.

The last date of filling the form and paying the examination fees is October 10 for PG students.