Exam fees waived for students in drought-hit talukas; 2.4 lakh use 'zero challan' option

The Higher and Technical Education Department has decided to waive examination fees for students in drought-hit talukas to give them financial relief. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said the decision is being implemented effectively.

According to information given by Patil, 2,40,365 students have so far used the 'zero challan' facility. Through it, these students have filled in their examination forms without paying a single rupee.

Patil said the government decided not to charge examination fees so that the education of students in drought-hit talukas does not stop because of lack of money. To ensure the decision is implemented smoothly and eligible students get the benefit of the concession, the necessary arrangements have been put in place at the levels of the directorate, the universities and the examination departments. The department is constantly reviewing the entire process.

A 'zero challan' option has been provided within the application process itself so that students do not have to pay a fee while filling the examination form. Eligible students can therefore fill in their forms without paying any examination fee. In addition, all universities have issued circulars on how the fee waiver is to be implemented.

A process has also begun to refund the fees to students who had already paid the examination fee. Chandrakant Patil has given clear directions to all universities. In them, he has said that no eligible student in the drought-hit areas should be deprived of the benefit of the fee waiver, and that students should face no difficulty in availing of the concession.

The department has also said what students should do if they face any academic difficulty related to the fee waiver. It has appealed to students to contact the board of examination and evaluation of the university concerned, or the public relations officer of its student development department.