IIT Guwahati Protest: A wave of unrest swept through IIT Guwahati as hundreds of PhD scholars, MTech—and soon BTech—students organized fierce protests on campus against what they call an "exceptionally high" fee hike. The video of the protest is going viral on social media.
The agitation was sparked on July 22, coinciding with the PhD semester registration process for July–November 2025. Scholars claim their registration was prevented without payment, contrary to an earlier assurance from the administration during the July 17 open-house that the fee revision would be revised.
PhD fees have risen from ₹34,800 to ₹45,700 a semester—a dramatic hike of ₹10,900—while new students must pay an initial fee of ₹92,000. Part-time scholar fees have risen ten times over, from ₹2,500 to ₹25,000. Other increases are gymkhana (₹1,000 → ₹2,000), medical (₹100 → ₹500), hostel rent and fund, mess, electricity, and water charges, and a ₹1,300 a-semester fest fee.
The students also accuse the institute of "double-charging" for hostel stays, charging rent even when research scholars have already been getting House Rent Allowance (HRA) from the Centre.
"Kam karo, fee hike kam karo" was chanted across the campus as students sought a rollback of the hikes at the earliest. Protests continued well into the evening in steadfast defiance.
The frustration is rooted in profound distrust: students believe the administration breached promises made during the open-house meeting. Voices of PhD scholars capture the sense of urgency—"our research is pending, our future uncertain."
To date, the institute has not made a public statement reacting to the protests. With registration deadlines and academic calendars looming, students are demanding immediate dialogue and resolution.
