Hyderabad: Telangana’s engineering college is preparing to charge higher fees from the upcoming academic year, raising questions about whether to demonstrate the increase by improving infrastructure or teaching standards. Several top private universities have proposed 50% to 100% charges, prompting students and education experts to demand greater transparency in the regulatory process.
The Telangana Fee Regulatory Commission (FRC) plans to complete the revised fee structure this week. Under state rules, the college of engineering can modify the fee every three years. Once approved, the new fee will apply to students who join and maintain three academic years in 2025-26. However, there have been questions about how to review audit reports submitted by universities and whether the recommendations are based on reliable information.
Under FRC’s guidelines, universities are required to submit revenue and expenditure reports, infrastructure and staff details, and audited financial statements to justify any increase. However, there are allegations that the same auditors who prepared the reports also participated in the review within the committee. “There is a serious conflict of interest. Some universities appear to be exaggerating fees or citing vague claims of faculty escalation without showing actual improvements on the site,” said an academic official familiar with the cost review process.
Universities like CBIT, VNR Vignana Jyothi, Vasavi, Mgit and Narayanamma are all likely to see huge hikes. For example, CBIT proposed an increase from Rs 1.65 lakh to Rs 2.23 lakh per year. VNR is trying to increase its annual fee from Rs 1.35 lakh to Rs 2.2 lakh. In total, more than 40 universities charge more than Rs 2 lakh per year, and at least 33 want to double it.
Students say this increase feels arbitrary. “We don’t know if these hikes are based on better labs, libraries, or faculty. All we see is the numbers,” said Sharan K, a third-year student. “Why not disclose audit details, such as teacher qualifications and salary – so that students can judge for themselves?”
A professor at a top engineering college in the city said it is necessary to match the paid hikes to the obvious benefits of students. “If a university asks for high fees, it should indicate where the money is going – better classrooms, proper salary staff, operating the lab. Otherwise, it’s just an empty hike,” he said, adding that students should have access to verified infrastructure and salary data before choosing a university.
The FRC has been reviewing proposals from 157 private universities, some of whom charge up to Rs 2.9 lakh a year. Although it has been a little narrowed, many hikes may be approved. The commission is expected to submit its final recommendation to the government this week and will then inform the new fee structure. Prior to this, students urged the government to ensure that any hike is supported by visible improvement and accountability. “If these universities want to charge more, they should first prove that they have delivered more,” said student representative Patta Laxman.
