AIDSO has condemned the decision of Rani Channamma University to hike fees for non-professional courses saying that the proposed fee structure is prohibitive and pushes higher education out of the reach of the poor.

“Fees for various undergraduate courses have been increased two-and-a-half times for the year 2025-26. Last year, fees for (non-professional) courses like BA, B.Com and B.Sc was ₹1,500. But this year they have been suddenly increased to ₹4,300. For professional courses like BBA, BCA, fees have been increased from ₹3,660 to ₹4,800,” it said and added that AIDSO strongly condemns this move.

Thousands of students are taking admission in the university’s undergraduate courses every year from the districts of Belagavi and Vijayapura. Most of them are children of farmers, poor families living on daily wages and others. Already, the life of farmers and workers has become difficult due to the rise in the prices of all essential commodities. In such a situation, this unnecessary fee hike will further distress the poor and keep them away from education. We, therefore, feel that this decision of the university is anti-student and anti-poor. This needs to be withdrawn immediately. Or else, we will be forced to take up an intensive protest,” said AIDSO district coordinator Mahantesh Bilur.