The campus of IIT Guwahati witnessed escalating protests as PhD research scholars and MTech students rallied against what they termed an “exceptionally high” hike in semester fees. The protest, which began in the afternoon and lasted into the evening, saw hundreds of students chanting slogans such as “Kam karo, kam karo, fee hike kam karo” and “Fee hike wapas lo,” demanding immediate rollback of the new fee structure.
Students’ Protest Against Unlawful Fees Hike in IIT Guwahati #Protest #Studentsunite #feeshike #unlawful #iitg pic.twitter.com/6uF3oMqTIL
— Pratim Dey (@PratimDey1997) July 22, 2025
The revised fees have been implemented for PhD, MTech, and BTech students starting from the July–November 2025 semester, sparking widespread discontent across academic programs.
Tensions intensified following allegations that the IIT administration failed to honor commitments made during an open house meeting held on July 17, where the director and senior deans were reportedly present. Students say that during the meeting, authorities had assured them that concerns over the fee hike would be addressed.
The situation reached a flashpoint on July 22, the scheduled date for semester registration for PhD students. Several students who refused to pay the revised fees—citing financial hardship—claimed they were barred from registering when they reported to their departments. This action led to a spontaneous protest that began around 1 p.m. and continued for several hours.
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“Instead of resolving our concerns, the administration has resorted to punitive action,” said a protesting PhD scholar. “Most of us come from modest backgrounds, and this sudden fee hike is unaffordable.”
No official statement was released by the institute administration at the time of filing this report. However, students have indicated they plan to continue demonstrations until the administration initiates a formal dialogue and considers a fee rollback.
The protest underscores growing tension across India’s premier institutions, where rising educational costs are increasingly being challenged by students concerned about accessibility and equity in higher education.
