Supreme Court: fees for professional courses cannot be raised midstream; fee for entire course to be notified before admission
On 14 October 2026, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe held that fees for professional courses in self-financing institutions cannot be changed midstream except in exceptional circumstances, and the fee for the entire course must be notified before admission.
Summary
The Supreme Court, in Dr. B.C. Roy Engineering College v. State of West Bengal (judgment dated 14 October 2026), held that the fee payable for professional courses in self-financing higher education institutions cannot be changed midstream. A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said authorities must determine and notify the fee for the entire course before admission, allowing adjustment only in exceptional cases such as extraordinary economic conditions or statutory changes. The court cited the AICTE Regulations, 1994, under which fees can be revised only on a committee's recommendation with a minimum gap of three years, and the National Education Policy, 2020. It noted NSSO data showing professional course fees to be 711% higher than those of general courses.
Key facts
- Case
- Dr. B.C. Roy Engineering College & Anr. v. State of West Bengal & Ors. (2026 INSC 1120)
- Date
- 14 October 2026
- Bench
- Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
- Ruling
- No midstream fee hike in professional courses, except exceptional circumstances
- Direction
- Fee for the entire course to be notified before admission
- AICTE Regulations, 1994
- Revision only on committee recommendation; minimum gap of 3 years
- Also cited
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- NSSO data cited
- Professional course fees 711% higher than general courses
- Background
- West Bengal fees last revised in 2016-17
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which Supreme Court Bench held in October 2026 that fees for professional courses cannot be changed midstream except in exceptional circumstances?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
Under the AICTE Regulations, 1994, cited by the Supreme Court in its October 2026 fee ruling, fees for professional colleges can be revised with a minimum gap of how many years?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 3 years
According to NSSO data cited by the Supreme Court in its October 2026 ruling, fees for professional courses are how much higher than those for general courses?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 711%