BENGALURU: Colleges are paying no heed to the government’s ceiling on fees for pre-university courses.
According to directions issued by the Department of Pre-University Education, the total fees should not exceed Rs 25,000 for science and commerce courses at aided colleges.
Unaided private colleges can collect an additional fee in keeping with a formula stipulated by the department. However, many colleges are charging way more than what is prescribed, especially for science.
Most colleges have already completed admissions for first PUC, and the remaining are closing the process soon. Differential fee structures are also in place. SSLC board students pay slightly less than CBSE and ICSE students. The fee ranges between Rs 25,000 and Rs 90,000.
Complain in Writing
Officials of the PUE Department expect written complaints for them to act against errant colleges. Speaking to Express, a senior official said, “We have fixed a fee structure. If the colleges flout it, parents and students can file a complaint with the director and we will initiate action.”
What Colleges Say
G K Manjunath, principal, Seshadripuram PU College, said, “We have not violated any regulations. We abide by them.”
The admissions head of Reva Independent PU College, who did not want to reveal her name, said, “Other colleges demand more. We provide integrated courses and the fee is inclusive of notebooks, record books, two sets of uniform, shoes, bags, SMS alerts, and library, festival and excursion fees.”
Arun, manager, Presidency PU College, said, “The infrastructure we provide is above PU standards. We provide projectors in every class and conduct remedial classes. Students who join here are looking for such high standards.”
Variable fees
Some colleges vary their fees on the basis of the subject combination
Vijaya Composite College, Jayanagar: Same amount for students from all boards. Science: PCMB (physics, chemistry, math and biology) Rs 36,000; PCMC (where ‘C’ stands for computer science) Rs 37,000, commerce Rs 35,000
National PU College, Basavangudi: Rs 23,000 for PCMB, Rs 29,000 for PCMC and PCME (where ‘E’ stands for electronics) and Rs 28,000 for commerce
SSMRV PU College, Jayanagar: Admission to science is closed. For commerce, the fee is Rs 25,000
Christ PU College (Hosur Road), Chethana PU College (Yelahanka New Town) and VVS Sardar Patel PU College (Basaveshwara Nagar) have closed admissions in all streams and refused to disclose their fees
KLE PU College, Rajajinagar: Rs 40-42,000 for PCMB and PCMC and Rs 34,000 for commerce for state students. Those from outside pay Rs 1,000 more
Reva Independent PU College, Sanjaynagar: Integrated science Rs 75,000 for both PCMB and PCMC, and Rs 50,500 for commerce
Presidency PU College, Kempapura: Admissions closed on Thursday. Integrated commerce Rs 60,000, regular science (PCMB, PCMC and PCME) about Rs 50,000 and integrated science (with AIPMT coaching) Rs 90,000
Jain PU College, Jayanagar: Both science and commerce, irrespective of combination Rs 56,400
Seshadripuram PU College, Seshadripuram: Differential fees. Science: between Rs 40,000 and Rs 45,000
MES PU College, Malleswaram: Science Rs 61,000
Vidyamandir PU College, Malleswaram: Science Rs 55,000
Colleges collect Rs 10,000 extra from NRI and foreign students
Prescribed Fees
Aided Colleges
ARTS and COMMERCE
General merit: Rs 1,685 tuition fee and Rs 300 special development fee
SC/ST: Rs 616 tuition fee and Rs 300 special development fee
OBC: Rs 616 tuition fee and Rs 300 special dev fee
SCIENCE
General merit: Rs 2,171 tuition fee and Rs 300 special development fee
SC/ST: Rs 1,102 tuition fee and Rs 300 special development fee
OBC: Rs 1,102 tuition fee and Rs 300 special development fee
Private Unaided Colleges
Same as in aided PU colleges. Special development fee can be collected according to a formula that takes into account staff salaries and student intake. Officials say even if you factor in the maximum on these counts, the total fee should not cross Rs 25,000.