Key Points
- Student fee revenue at Delhi University eclipses Rs 200 crore.
- UGC grants’ share in total funding has diminished.
- University instituted fee hikes for several programs.
- Plans to generate revenue through rentals and endowments.
- HEFA loan aims to bolster infrastructure development.
Looma News
Delhi University’s revenue from student fees has surged dramatically. In the last fiscal year, it surpassed Rs 200 crore. This marks a significant leap from nearly Rs 100 crore in 2019-2020. Despite this escalation, funds from UGC grants remain underutilised.
UGC grants swelled in absolute terms. In 2019-2020, DU garnered about Rs 600 crore. By 2023-2024, this sum approached Rs 800 crore. However, the UGC share of total receipts plummeted from 83% to 77%. A commerce professor remarked that this downturn reflects diminished public funding.
DU’s total receipts now eclipse its total expenditure. This trend materialised in the last two years, signaling underutilisation of funds. There was no commentary from university officials regarding these findings.
In July, DU escalated fees across all degree programs. The rise for PhD courses soared by 60%. In December, annual charges surged by 46%. Some professors contend these hikes are efforts to recoup interest from a HEFA loan.
HEFA supplies funds for educational infrastructure. Abha Dev, from the Democratic Teachers’ Front, voiced apprehensions. She articulated that high fees may hinder access to education for many.
In the financial year 2023-24, UGC grants constituted 76.6% of DU’s total inflow. Internal sources, chiefly student fees, accounted for the remaining 23.4%. Last October, HEFA greenlit a loan of Rs 930 crore for DU. The university must remit 10% interest on this loan.
To counteract declining UGC support, DU plans to delve into new revenue streams. This includes leasing facilities to outside agencies. They also aspire to launch souvenir shops and forge endowment funds through alumni and industry partnerships.
Additionally, DU will inaugurate a special chair for multinational companies to amplify research. An Investment Committee will oversee financial strategies, according to the university’s Institutional Development Plan (IDP) 2024-2047.
