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While tuition may be low, additional charges add to the total cost. Here’s a look at the fees charged by some of India’s leading government universities.

University fees include more than tuition. Let’s take a look at fee structure in the top varsities of the country. (AI Image)
A degree from a government university is generally considered an affordable route to higher education in India. However, students at Allahabad University recently held protests against fee hikes, alleging repeated increases in course fees and demanded a rollback of the hikes.
Students in India pay different amounts depending on the institution, programme and charges included in the fee structure. While some institutions list low tuition fees, other compulsory charges contribute to the total amount payable.
Let’s take a look at the fees charged by some of India’s leading government universities and how their fee structures compare.
JNU
JNU’s official 2016–17 prospectus listed the annual tuition fee for B.A. (Hons.) students at Rs 216. The university’s 2026–27 undergraduate prospectus retains the same annual tuition fee, marking no increase in the tuition component over the past decade.
The current prospectus also lists additional annual charges, including Rs 16.50 each for sports and literary and cultural activities, Rs 6 for library facilities, Rs 9 for medical services and Rs 4.50 for the Students’ Aid Fund. Other charges include Rs 5 each for admission and enrolment, a refundable security deposit of Rs 40, Rs 12 for a medical booklet, Rs 10 for an identity card folder, Rs 15 for the student hostel and general information guide, and Rs 20 for the National Service Scheme (NSS). The Chief Proctor Office Manual costs an additional Rs 45, where applicable.
University of Hyderabad
The University of Hyderabad’s older fee document reportedly lists tuition for the relevant humanities category, including M.A. Philosophy and integrated M.A. programmes, at Rs 465 per semester. The first-semester total was Rs 4,300. The university’s 2026–27 fee structure for its five-year Integrated M.A. Philosophy programme lists tuition at Rs 2,640 per semester. The first-semester total is Rs 7,650.
The current amount includes Rs 580 for the students’ union fund, Rs 260 for the students’ welfare fund, Rs 2,010 for medical insurance and a refundable deposit of Rs 2,160, in addition to tuition.
The university lists medical insurance separately and notes that the amount may change depending on the rates negotiated with the insurance company.
Jamia Millia Islamia
Jamia Millia Islamia’s (JMI) official 2016–17 prospectus listed the annual fee for B.A. (Hons.) Urdu at Rs 7,260. The university’s 2026–27 prospectus lists the corresponding annual fee at Rs 10,175, an increase of Rs 2,915, or approximately 40.2%, over the decade.
JMI has stated that there will be no fee hike for courses for the 2026–27 academic session.
Delhi University
The University of Delhi (DU) has different fee structures for programmes offered by its departments and faculties, separate from those of its affiliated colleges. For the 2026–27 academic session, the Department of Computer Science lists the total fee for newly admitted M.Sc. Computer Science students at Rs 24,489 and for Master of Computer Applications (MCA) students at Rs 24,617. The department’s 2021 fee schedule listed the first-semester MCA fee at Rs 9,670.
DU’s MBA programmes in International Business, Human Resource Development and Business Analytics had an annual fee of Rs 38,000 before it was revised to Rs 48,000 from the 2023–24 academic session. For 2026–27, the annual fee stands at Rs 57,279, representing an increase of approximately 50.7% over the earlier Rs 38,000 fee.
The university has also published revised 2026–27 fee structures for M.Com. and Ph.D. programmes. For its B.Tech. programmes, a revised fee schedule lists an indicative total of Rs 2,46,960 for 2026–27.
University fees include more than tuition. Students may also pay admission, exam, library, medical, development, hostel and other charges, along with students’ union contributions and refundable deposits. They must also budget for food, transport, books and accommodation. For students and families, the key consideration is the total cost of enrolling in and completing a degree, not tuition alone.
Quick Answers
JNU’s official 2016-17 prospectus listed the annual tuition fee for B.A. (Hons.) students at Rs 216, and the 2026-27 undergraduate prospectus retains that same annual tuition fee, showing no increase over the decade.
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October 12, 2026, 1:12 PM IST
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