Central Government's Funding Shortfall Sparks CUET-PG Fee Hike, SFI Urges NTA to Roll Back

For the 2024 CUET PG application forms, fees have surged by Rs 200, the cost for extra test papers has risen from Rs 500 to Rs 600 per paper.

Insufficient financial support from the Central Government has prompted the establishment of the Common University Entrance Test for Post Graduates (CUET-PG). The Students Federation of India (SFI), associated with the left, conveyed concerns to the National Testing Agency (NTA) today, highlighting the Central Government's failure to allocate adequate funds to the NTA.

Representatives from the SFI Delhi State Committee visited the NTA office and met with Senior Advisor Prof. HC Gupta to address the abrupt fee escalation in CUET PG applications. Led by Mehina from Delhi University, along with Nadia from Jamia Millia Islamia University, Sagar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Vibhu from AUD, the delegation underscored the challenges faced by students, particularly those from marginalized and backward regions.

Following discussions with the National Testing Agency, the SFI Delhi State Committee revealed that the NTA stressed the lack of sufficient funding from the Central Government, leading to such fee hikes. Moreover, the SFI team submitted a memorandum to the NTA Director regarding the unjustified fee increase in CUET PG applications.

For the 2024 CUET PG application forms, fees have surged by Rs 200, reaching Rs 1200 for general category students, Rs 1000 for OBC and EWS students, Rs 900 for SC/ST and third gender students, and Rs 800 for PwD students. Additionally, the cost for extra test papers has risen from Rs 500 to Rs 600 per paper, impacting candidates' financial planning for multiple exam attempts.

"The NTA's explanation citing higher operational costs is weak," remarked SFI. It further emphasized that this move reflects the government's push towards full-scale privatization of education, condemning the burden placed on students for operational expenses. "This jeopardizes higher education accessibility for students nationwide," SFI declared.

SFI demands an immediate reversal of the increased fee structure by the NTA, stressing the urgency of this matter.