TNNIndore: Madhya Pradesh higher education department has withdrawn the instalment payment facility for first-year undergraduate admissions in government colleges, requiring students with admission fees of up to Rs 5,000 to pay the entire amount at the time of admission.The move has sparked concern among students, parents and educationists, who fear it could discourage enrolment from economically weaker sections.The change has been implemented through the department’s online admission portal, where the instalment payment option for first-year students has been removed. Last year, students were allowed to pay admission fees in two or three instalments, easing the financial burden on families. The facility, however, continues for second and third-year students.Students have questioned the rationale behind the change. “Many of us come from families that depend on monthly incomes. Arranging the entire fee at once is difficult, especially during the admission season when there are additional expenses for books, travel and accommodation,” said Dhiraj Parmar, a student seeking admission to a government college in Indore.Another applicant said the decision could force some students to delay or even abandon their admission. “The government encourages higher education, but removing the instalment option makes it harder for students from low-income families to enter college,” the student said.The issue has also reached the government. Colleges have written to higher education department to restore the two-instalment facility for first-year students. Several students too have reportedly submitted representations to the department, seeking reinstatement of the previous fee payment system before the admission process gathers pace.With admissions entering Additional College Level Counselling (CLC) round, the higher education department has directed all government, aided and private colleges to shift the admission process into “mission mode” to maximise seat occupancy before the round concludes.Colleges have been instructed to analyse pending registrations, document verification cases and students who have received admission offers but are yet to pay fees. Institutions must personally contact such students over phone on the same day, resolve their queries and encourage them to complete the admission process.The department has also asked colleges to focus on courses with a large number of vacant seats by reaching out to eligible students and guiding them on revising their programme choices wherever required. Principals have been directed to conduct daily admission review meetings, set department-wise enrolment targets and monitor progress.Colleges with a high number of vacant seats have been told to launch local awareness drives with the support of schools, parents, public representatives and alumni to attract eligible applicants.
