CUET PG 2025 Application Fee Hike Sparks Outrage: 'Unfair Burden on Underprivileged,' Say Students

The recent hike in the CUET PG 2025 application fee by INR 200 for all categories has left students dissatisfied. In the meantime, JNUSU has demanded the withdrawal of the fee increase, calling it a financial burden on marginalized students.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started the application process for the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) for Post Graduate (PG) for the academic session 2025. This year, the authorities have announced several changes in the CUET PG examination including changes in the official website, shortening of exam duration and an increase in exam cities and exam city preference filling to four. Along with these changes, the authorities have also increased the CUET PG application fee 2025.  

Whilst the reason for the CUET PG 2025 registration fee hike has not been disclosed, students and stakeholders have strongly opposed the decision, alleging that it adds an unnecessary financial burden for applicants willing to pursue postgraduate courses. 

CUET PG 2025 Application Fee Increased by INR 200

The CUET PG 2025 application fee has increased across all categories: General (UR) from INR 1,200 to INR 1,400, OBC from INR 1,000 to INR 1,200, SC/ST/Third Gender from INR 900 to INR 1,100, and PwD from INR 800 to INR 1,000. Besides, the application fee to appear for additional test papers has also been increased by INR 100. Now, for each extra test paper, the students will have to pay INR 700, instead of INR 600. In such a situation, students who are willing to appear for four papers have to pay an additional INR 400, making a total of INR 3,500. 

CUET PG 2025 Fee Hike: Students Express Dismay

The application fee for the CUET PG 2025 examination has been increased by INR 200 across all categories. Students who are willing to appear for the examination are dissatisfied and frustrated with the fee hike decision. The increase in application fees, which applies to all category candidates, has raised concerns regarding the financial burden on students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Several CUET PG 2025 aspirants expressed their concerns on social media. Ashish Singh, who is appearing for CUET PG in Zoology subject stated "Education shall be a privilege rather than a right." 

Another student Kritika, residing in Delhi and appearing for the CUET PG MA Education, said, "Increasing application fees only makes things difficult for students who already have to deal with living expenses and tuition."

A CUET PG BEd aspirant Sneha from Delhi shared her concern saying every year the exam authority increases the application fees. It's absurd to pay INR 1200-1400 and more just for the entrance examination. Besides, this is not the only fee after that, there are different charges for the counselling process which students have to pay.

A CUET PG Geography student Aryan from Mumbai highlighted the lack of services during the examination premises stating "If the application fees keep increasing like this, anyone from an economically backward background will face difficulties in pursuing higher education. Because apart from the application form, there are other expenses involved in taking an exam, like travel and other costs. And even after charging such high fees, there are many issues at the NTA centres, leading to the cancellation of examination at times."

Shaurya Singh, who is from Uttar Pradesh and appearing for the CUET PG MBA programme for the Life Science programme shared “I also have the same issue they're raising the application fee so much year by year it was 1200 before and now it's 1400 just like the NEET application fee they're hiking it too much for two papers that are worthless and in this most of state university aren't in there so for this, I have to fill other forms for state university too, totally waste of money.”

Student Bodies Condemn CUET PG 2025 Fee Hike Decision 

Student bodies, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), have strongly condemned the fee hike. They have called for the decision to be reversed, stating that the increased fee would disproportionately affect marginalized and underprivileged students. In a statement, JNUSU said, "This fee hike is an unfair burden on students from economically weaker sections, making higher education less accessible for those who need it the most." 

Meanwhile, a student union SFI posted on their social media channel 'Instagram' calling the increase in CUET PG 2025 application fee an injustice against students, stating, "A fee hike of 200 rupees has occurred for CUET PG applications. Such a steep rise prevents marginalised students from accessing higher education and makes education a privilege rather than a right. We have always fought for education to be inclusive and will continue to do so against the increasing unaffordability and inaccessibility of higher education." 

The increase in the CUET PG 2025 application fee has further led to concerns about the financial viability of applying for postgraduate program admissions, as students have to apply to several universities to get a seat in their desired programme. 

Read more:

• CUET PG 2025: Know Key Changes in Application Fee, Exam Centre, Pattern by NTA Here
• CUET PG 2025 Changes: Exam Duration Revised; Paper to Held in CBT-Only Mode