Wed Jul 02 14:55:48 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) in Mysuru has condemned the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for imposing a ₹750 fee on all students, regardless of category, for making option entries during counselling for Engineering and other professional courses. AIDSO argues this fee is unjust, burdensome, and contradicts KEA’s responsibility to facilitate affordable education. They question the true purpose of the fee, alleging it’s a revenue-generating scheme, and demand its immediate withdrawal.

**News Article:**

**Students Protest New Exam Fee in Karnataka**

**MYSURU, July 2, 2025** – The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) in Mysuru has strongly criticized the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for implementing a ₹750 fee for all students making option entries during the counselling process for Engineering and other professional courses.

AIDSO District Secretary Nithin released a statement calling the fee “arbitrary, unjust, and deeply condemnable.” The organization highlighted that students already pay examination and registration fees upfront, making the additional charge a significant burden.

“With over 4 lakh students participating, KEA stands to generate over ₹300 crore,” the statement read. “Is this truly for administrative purposes, or simply a method of extracting money from students and families?”

AIDSO argues that KEA, as a state government body, should be prioritizing accessible education rather than profiting from it. The organization emphasized that policies like this only exacerbate the financial pressure on students from economically weaker backgrounds.

AIDSO has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ₹750 fee and called on students, parents, and concerned citizens to protest against the “unjust imposition” to safeguard affordable and equitable access to higher education in Karnataka.

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