A wave of discontent swept through the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati as students staged massive protests on Tuesday, demanding a rollback of what they called an “exceptionally high” increase in fees. The chorus of “Kam karo, kam karo, fee hike kam karo” echoed across the campus as research scholars and postgraduate students gathered in large numbers to register their protest.
The unrest began with concerns among PhD and MTech students over a sudden surge in academic fees. Undergraduate students pursuing BTech programs have also been impacted by the revised fee structure for the July-November semester. What started as a modest demonstration on Monday soon intensified, with students rallying overnight to garner broader support.
At the heart of the discontent is an open house session held on July 17, where the institute’s director, along with deans of student and academic affairs and senior administrative officials, had engaged with the student community. According to the students, the administration had then indicated a willingness to consider their concerns regarding the new fee structure.
“During the open house, the administration said they wanted to hear us out,” said a PhD student, requesting anonymity. “But it now seems like the meeting was more of a delaying tactic. We were told there would be a reconsideration of the revised fee before registrations began, but nothing changed. And today (July 22), on the day of semester registration, we were denied access unless we paid the full revised fee.”
As per multiple accounts, students attempting to register on Tuesday found themselves blocked by departmental offices for not paying the updated fee amount. With no official clarification or follow-up communication from the administration since the open house, students felt blindsided.
“This isn’t just about money—it’s about trust,” said another protesting student. “We engaged with the administration in good faith, but when the promised dialogue led to no change and we were abruptly barred from registering, students had no option but to take to the streets.”
The protests are drawing participation across departments, with many questioning the transparency of decision-making and calling for a clear and inclusive process when it comes to fee revisions, especially given the financial strain many students face.
As of now, there has been no official response from the IIT Guwahati administration addressing the unfolding situation or indicating whether the fee structure will be reviewed in light of the protests
