Fraternity Movement JMI condemns Kerala exam centre exclusion and fee hikes at Jamia

Fraternity Movement Jamia Millia Islamia has strongly condemned the removal of Thiruvananthapuram as an exam centre for the upcoming entrance examinations, arguing that the exclusion of Kerala from the list of multiple city exam centres is discriminatory and creates significant hardships for aspirants from South Indian states.

The organisation has criticised the decision, stating that students who previously had the option to take exams in Thiruvananthapuram must now travel long distances to Bhopal, Delhi, Srinagar, or other designated centres.

While only nine undergraduate courses and five postgraduate courses at Jamia Millia Islamia are admitting students through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) conducted by the National Testing Agency, all other aspirants must appear for entrance exams held at centres primarily located in North India, which the group asserts is an unfair burden on students from the South.

The movement has also expressed concerns over the financial strain imposed on students, highlighting the recent fee hikes introduced for the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), diploma, and certificate courses, as outlined in the university’s newly released 2025-26 prospectus.

According to Fraternity Movement JMI, nearly every course has seen a minimum fee increase of ₹2,000 compared to the 2024-25 academic year, which the organisation deems unnecessary and detrimental to students. The movement has criticised the trend of monetising education, stating that such policies make higher education inaccessible and place undue financial pressure on students from economically weaker backgrounds.

Meanwhile, Fraternity Movement JMI has announced plans to submit a formal letter to the university administration, urging immediate corrective measures. The organisation has asserted that the administration bears the responsibility of ensuring education remains accessible to all students, regardless of their economic or regional backgrounds, and has vowed to continue advocating against policies that hinder educational inclusivity.