Amid protests by students and concerns over fee structures and admission-related uncertainty under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework, Gauhati University on Wednesday issued a detailed clarification defending its fee policies for the Five-Year Integrated Master’s Programme (FYIMP) and the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), while asserting that no arbitrary fee hike has been imposed.
 

The clarification comes a day after students of Darrang College staged protests over uncertainty surrounding admissions to the fourth year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme, demanding immediate clarity from authorities regarding seventh and eighth semester admissions.
 

The demonstration, organised by the Darrang College Students’ Union on May 26, saw students blocking roads and burning an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protesters alleged that the absence of clear admission guidelines for FYUGP continuation had created confusion and anxiety among students.
 

Students claimed several aspirants who did not appear in the Common University Entrance Test for postgraduate admissions are now uncertain about their academic future.
 

“The government has still not taken any clear decision regarding admissions. As a result, the future of many students has become uncertain. The issue must be resolved immediately,” a protesting student had said.
 

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and its Darrang College unit also submitted a memorandum seeking clarity on FYUGP admissions and removal of uncertainty surrounding seventh-semester entry.
 

Responding to the concerns, Gauhati University stated that media reports alleging fee hikes are “factually incorrect” and clarified that no programme fee has been increased.
 

The university explained that the Five-Year Integrated Master’s Programme was introduced in May 2023 as part of the implementation of NEP 2020 and formally launched in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state Education Minister.
 

The programme was designed to provide students a seamless academic pathway from undergraduate to postgraduate studies without requiring a separate entrance examination for progression into the Master’s stage.
 

University authorities said the programme was introduced under a self-financing structure because no additional grants, infrastructure assistance or manpower support were provided for its implementation.
 

To accommodate undergraduate teaching requirements under the NEP framework, Gauhati University said it had to build additional infrastructure using internal resources.
 

According to the university, an unused hostel building was converted into classrooms shortly after the current Vice-Chancellor assumed office. Two additional floors have also been constructed at the NEP Coordination Centre building and will become operational from the upcoming academic session.
 

A new academic block is also under construction to address long-term space requirements for undergraduate teaching.
 

The university emphasised that these infrastructure expenses have not been transferred to students.
 

At the time of introduction during the 2023–24 academic session, FYIMP semester fees were fixed at Rs 16,500 for science stream subjects and Rs 14,500 for arts stream subjects.
 

The university said despite FYIMP being classified as self-financing, collected fees recover only a portion of actual expenditure incurred by the institution.
 

It further highlighted that from the 2025–26 academic session onwards, semester fees were reduced by Rs 2,000 for even and subsequent semesters to lessen financial pressure on students and families.
 

In another major announcement, Gauhati University said fee waiver benefits would now be extended to eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) students enrolled under FYIMP beginning this semester.
 

However, authorities cautioned that any additional fee reduction could affect the sustainability of certain programmes due to limited institutional resources.
 

The university also clarified that from the seventh semester onward, FYIMP students would be treated on par with regular postgraduate students and corresponding postgraduate fee structures would apply.
 

Addressing concerns over fees applicable to affiliated colleges under FYUGP implementation, Gauhati University rejected allegations by student bodies that university charges had increased “almost four-fold”.
 

The institution clarified that a one-time permission fee for introduction of the fourth year had been incorporated following principles already established under the 2018 regulatory structure.
 

Officials said colleges earlier paid separate one-time permission fees for introducing first, second and third years under programme expansion. The same framework has now been extended to include the fourth year under FYUGP.
 

Importantly, Gauhati University clarified that no additional affiliation fee is being charged for introducing the fourth year.
 

“Extension of a programme from three years to four years under FYUGP does not attract any separate or additional affiliation fee,” the university said.
 

It also stated that affiliation and permission fees were revised only after seven years, with the previous revision undertaken in 2018.
 

According to the university administration, the overall increase amounts to approximately 15 per cent over seven years and was implemented following recommendations of the statutory Finance Committee.
 

Gauhati University reiterated its commitment to implementing NEP 2020 while maintaining academic quality, affordability, transparency and inclusiveness.
 

The institution also urged stakeholders and sections of the media to verify facts with university authorities before circulating information publicly.