JAC Implements 35% Fee Hike for Board Exams Starting 2026
The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has officially announced a significant revision in examination fees for both matriculation and intermediate examinations, following approval from the council's Board of Secondary Education (BSE). The decision, which implements a 35% increase in fees, will take effect from the 2026 examination cycle and has already sparked widespread protests from students and opposition parties.
Revised Fee Structure Details
The new fee structure came into force on Tuesday as the application process officially began. Under the revised system, matriculation students from female, SC, ST, BC-1 and BC-2 categories will now pay Rs 980, while general category candidates will pay Rs 1,180. The same amount of Rs 1,180 has been fixed for private matriculation candidates.
For intermediate examinations, the fees have been set at Rs 1,100 for female students and candidates from SC, ST, BC-1 and BC-2 categories, while general category students will pay Rs 1,400. Private intermediate candidates will also be required to pay Rs 1,400.
The council has established a strict deadline system, with students submitting forms after December 5 required to pay an additional late fee of Rs 500 until December 12. Additionally, a processing fee of Rs 30 per student has been introduced for completing online application forms.
Official Justification and Public Backlash
JAC secretary Jayant Mishra defended the decision, stating that the fee revision was necessary to ensure smooth conduct of examinations, strengthen administrative mechanisms, and maintain examination-related infrastructure. "The suggestion was put forward by a member of the JAC Council board meeting. The revision was necessary to meet rising administrative and operational expenses associated with conducting statewide exams," Mishra explained.
However, the announcement has faced strong opposition from multiple quarters. BJP spokesperson Ramakant Mahto criticized the move, calling it "proof of how the state government is exploiting the poor and students." He added, "On one hand, the government is spending crores of rupees on its publicity, but on the other hand it is imposing financial burden on poor as people mostly from humble backgrounds study in JAC board."
The All-India Students Association (AISA) has also objected to the fee hike, describing it as a direct blow to the future of lakhs of children hailing from poor and tribal families in the state. Student organizations have demanded an immediate rollback of the decision, arguing that the increased financial burden will make education inaccessible for many underprivileged students.
The revised fee structure will apply to all students appearing for re-examinations, compartmental exams, or those seeking improvement of their results, making the increase comprehensive across all examination types conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council.
