Panel for Rs 2 lakh IIT fee hike

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The committee constituted by the human resource development ministry to suggest ways to provide autonomy to the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) has recommended that the fee for B.Tech be hiked from the present Rs 32,000 to Rs 2.25 lakh.

The committee, headed by the former Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Dr Anil Kakodkar, said that the union government should provide a hassle-free bank loan specific to IIT students with no collateral.

Further, the panel has suggested that IITs should charge tuition fee ranging from Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh from a student every year. This would be reasonable considering the high demand for IIT graduates and the salary industry provides them, it felt.

The committee also proposed that MHRD should fully provide fee and living expenses for all research students (PG) as well as UG students from weaker sections in IITs.

In addition, all students whose parental income was less than Rs 4.5 lakh per year should be provided with scholarships covering 100 per cent fee and a monthly stipend.

Prof M. Anandakrishnan, chairman of IIT Kanpur and member of the Dr Kakodkar committee, told Deccan Chronicle that the recommendations were based on the discussions the panel had with IIT faculty and eminent academicians.

“After getting comments from stakeholders the recommendations will be tabled in the IIT council’s meeting to be held later this month,” he said. “Once the council clears the proposal it will be sent to MHRD for ratification.”