The National Students Union of India (NSUI) initiated a strike at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Wednesday, demanding a reduction in entrance examination fees, making extra credit courses optional, and increasing the stipend for the earn-and-learn scheme. Three NSUI activists have commenced a hunger strike as part of the protest.
Sharp Rise in Entrance Fees
The union highlighted that SPPU's entrance fees have escalated significantly in recent years. According to Siddhant Jambhulkar, an NSUI activist on hunger strike alongside Vikas Avchar and Rahul Gudadhe, the fees for the 2023-24 academic year were Rs400 for reserved category students and Rs600 for open category students. These figures surged to Rs800 for reserved and Rs1,000 for open category students in the 2026-27 academic year.
Revenue Disparity
The NSUI claimed that the university spent only about Rs36 lakh to conduct entrance exams in 2024-25, while earning Rs1.6 crore from fees. Similarly, in 2025-26, expenditure was Rs8.6 lakh against revenue of Rs71.9 lakh. Jambhulkar emphasized, "SPPU is a dream for students in Maharashtra, especially those from Marathwada and Vidarbha. The entrance exam fee must be reduced to Rs300; otherwise, bright but poor students will be deprived of higher education."
Demands for Course Flexibility and Stipend Hike
Another key demand is to make extra credit courses, such as cybersecurity, optional. Students currently pay Rs1,510 annually for these online courses, but the credits do not appear on official marksheets. Additionally, the union is calling for an increase in the stipend for disadvantaged students under the earn-and-learn scheme from Rs55 to Rs80 per hour.
University's Response
SPPU's officiating registrar, Prafulla Pawar, stated that the administration is considering the demands positively. "On April 25, there is a management committee meeting where we will present the demands. Decisions at SPPU are made by designated authorities, and the process must be followed. I explained this to the NSUI members. I hope the students cease their protest after our assurance," he added.
