Sun Nov 02 02:34:29 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad has announced a reconsideration of the controversial fee hike at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in Thrissur following student protests. The government has directed the university to ensure the revision doesn’t burden students, promising a major fee reduction. A meeting of the university’s executive committee will be held to finalize the new fee structure, with assurances that no student will be affected due to financial constraints. The university will also consider providing scholarships. The case of a student who discontinued his studies due to the hike is being addressed, with plans to readmit him upon his return. Students had protested the hike from ₹24,000 to ₹72,000 annually, attributed by the university to financial constraints.

News Article:

Kerala Govt. to Reconsider KAU Fee Hike Following Student Protests

Thrissur, Kerala – November 2, 2025 – Following widespread student protests, Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad has announced that the state government will reconsider the recently implemented fee hike at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in Thrissur. Students had voiced strong opposition to the increase, which saw annual course fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs jump from ₹24,000 to ₹72,000.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Prasad stated that the government has instructed KAU to ensure that the fee revision does not negatively impact students. “The course fee structure will be reconsidered,” he confirmed. “The state government has given clear directions to KAU that any fee hike should not affect students adversely.”

The decision on the fee structure ultimately rests with the university’s executive committee, which is slated to convene shortly. Prasad assured that a significant fee reduction is expected and that the government would provide additional funding to the university to further alleviate the financial burden on students. He also announced that KAU will explore scholarship opportunities to support students’ academic pursuits.

The case of Arjun, a student from Thamarassery who discontinued his studies due to the fee increase, is also being addressed. “Directions have also been given to bring the student back to the university,” Prasad stated. “The decision has been taken to readmit him once he returns.”

While university officials attributed the initial fee hike to a severe financial crisis, they have agreed to review the revision in the upcoming executive meeting. The government’s intervention aims to ensure that access to agricultural education remains accessible to all, regardless of their financial background.

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