Delhi University's St Stephen's implements dual-fee system; raises DU fee component by over 230%

St Stephen’s College, affiliated with Delhi University (DU), has introduced a dual-payment system that requires first-year students to pay the university and college fees separately. The change has led to a sharp increase in the “DU fee” component shown on the college’s notice and raised questions about violations of DU’s single-portal rule.

According to a Times of India report, the college’s fee notice listed the “DU fee” for most undergraduate courses between Rs 11,551 and Rs 11,630. Delhi University, however, officially collects only Rs 3,500 per year from each student.

The difference means an excess of over Rs 8,000 per student, amounting to around Rs 32 lakh when calculated for the college’s 400 first-year admissions. This shows a 230% rise from the actual amount. Students from the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category also charged more than the prescribed amount.

As per St Stephen’s College’s 2025-26 session fee structure for PwD category students, the first-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) Programme and BA Honours students are required to pay Rs 1,150 as the DU fee and Rs 200 as the college fee, bringing the total to Rs 1,350. However, according to a Times of India report, the actual DU charge is Rs 875, reflecting an increase of around 31% by St Stephen’s College.

DU unaware of fee hike

Delhi University officials said they had no prior knowledge of the change. Dean of Admissions, Haneet Gandhi, told TOI that there is only one official payment process through the DU portal. The university keeps its Rs 3,500 share and transfers the remaining amount to colleges. Gandhi said the overcharge was “the college’s fault” and added that St Stephen’s should correct it.

TOI also reported that DU has already released 60% of the college’s share of the total amount collected. The remaining amount will be transferred after the admission process ends.

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Concerns over refunds and fee adjustment

The change has increased the financial burden on students. For many first-year students, the total payment this year is nearly double the amount charged by other DU colleges. Some students have raised concerns about whether the extra fee will be refunded or adjusted in later semesters.

The issue comes amid continuing differences between St Stephen’s and Delhi University over autonomy and adherence to common rules. The college has maintained that it can frame internal procedures as a minority institution, while the university insists that all affiliated colleges must follow DU regulations.