The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), Mysuru district committee, has condemned the Karnataka Examination Authority’s (KEA) decision to impose a fee of ₹750 on all students — irrespective of their category — for making option entries during the counselling process for Engineering, and other professional courses.
In a statement by Nithin, AIDSO district secretary, the organisation has termed the decision as “arbitrary, unjust, and deeply condemnable.” It pointed out that students have already paid examination and registration fees during the initial stages of the admission process, and imposing an additional ₹750 at the option entry stage is burdensome.
“With over 4 lakh students participating in this process, KEA will generate a staggering revenue of over ₹300 crore through this fee alone. What is the real purpose behind this charge? Is it truly meant for any administrative necessity, or is it merely a method of collecting money from students and their families?” the statement questioned.
AIDSO emphasised that KEA, as a State government body, should facilitate education instead of profiting from it. “At a time when higher education is becoming increasingly inaccessible to students from economically weaker backgrounds, such policies only worsen the situation and increase financial pressure on aspiring youth,” it argued.
The organisation demanded immediate withdrawal of the ₹750 option entry fee and appealed to all students, parents, and citizens concerned to raise their voices against this “unjust imposition” to protect affordable and equitable access to education.
Published – July 02, 2025 08:25 pm IST
