IIT Bombay fee hike: Amid relay hunger strike by students, institute defends move

Amid a relay hunger strike by some students at IIT Bombay, the premier engineering institute defended its decision to increase fees.

A day after the hunger strike began, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay said that adjustment of charges was needed to "stay alive and grow". Authorities clarified that only 8% of funding comes from student fees, and operational expenses will still be more than hiked fees.

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The institute reportedly said, "The majority of our students realise that the government cannot keep subsidising them beyond a point. IIT Bombay is trying to convince the remaining few students to stop the stir by talking with them."

The fee hike was approved in 2020, but implementation was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to news reports.

Students began their protest after a 35% hike in postgraduate programmes was proposed in July 2022. Increased hostel fees, and tuition fees for PhD and MTech students are reportedly major points of contention. Protesting students have demanded a rollback of the hike.