New Delhi, 29 December, 2021: The University of Delhi has decided to increase the annual university development fee for students due to lack of funding from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The university is facing a severe lack of funding from the government and has decided to increase the total fee for students. For now, the university development fee is increased from INR 600 to INR 900; however, students might have to face a sharp increase in fees if lack of funding continues.
Note: The University Development Fee (UDF) is an important component of the annual fees charged from students. It was established in 2012-13 for the purpose of allocation of funds for several activities such as construction of new buildings and purchase of laboratory equipment. At present, the university receives INR 600 per student every year as a UDF contribution.
Hike in DU Development Fee 2021 – Reason
The fee is increased by the university to be able to purchase required laboratory equipment for various departments, as funds provided by the government are not enough. Earlier, the University Development Fee was INR 600 per student. Now, it has been revised to INR 900 per student.
The recommendations regarding the hike in fee were accepted in the varsity’s Executive Council meeting held on 17 December, 2021. The recommendation committee that reached the decision consisted of former pro-vice-chancellor PC Joshi and registrar Vikas Gupta.
Note: Various departments of the university regularly pursue provision of funds for replacement/purchase of laboratory equipment for academic and other research activities. The funds are collected annually by the DU Development Fund Committee.
Hike in DU Development Fee 2021 – Disagreements
Though the decision to increase the development fee is final, there have been a series of disagreements regarding the decision to increase the university development fee.
Executive Council member, Seema Das, notes that it would be difficult for the students of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) to pay hiked fees. Rajesh Jha, professor of political science and former member of the executive council, also disapproves of the decision to increase the fees for students.
