MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised questions in Parliament regarding a 31 percent increase in the CAT 2025 application fee. The fee for General and OBC candidates has risen from Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,600, while for SC, ST, and PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates, it has increased from Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,300. The Ministry of Education stated that the fee is used for examination operations and administrative expenses and is non-refundable under any circumstances.
CAT Application Fee Hike: A 31 percent increase in the fee for CAT 2025, the country's prominent management entrance examination, has sparked concern among students. MP Asaduddin Owaisi informed Parliament that the fee for General and OBC candidates has become Rs 2,600, while for SC, ST, and PwD candidates, it is Rs 1,300. The Ministry of Education clarified that the fee is utilized for examination operations, technical arrangements, and administrative expenses. Students have been advised to regularly check the IIM's official website for all information related to applications and fees.
Issue of Fee Hike Raised in Parliament
MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised questions in Parliament regarding a 31 percent increase in the application fee for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025. He stated that compared to 2021, the application fee for General and OBC categories has increased from Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,600. Similarly, the fee for SC, ST, and PwD candidates has risen from Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,300.
Owaisi also mentioned that the CAT 2025 fee is approximately 5 percent higher compared to CAT 2024. This year, the CAT examination was conducted by IIM Kozhikode on November 30.
Government's Response and Utilization of Fees
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, stated that under the IIM Act 2017, all Indian Institutes of Management are independent to determine their fees. He added that the application fee is utilized for conducting the examination, administrative expenses, technical facilities, examination centers, and deployment of staff.
The Minister also clarified that the CAT fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, as all arrangements related to the examination are made in advance based on the number of candidates.
Rising Fees: A Challenge for Students
According to experts, the continuously rising CAT fees could impose financial pressure on students. However, the Ministry of Education states that this increase is necessary for the successful and smooth conduct of the examination. IIMs take responsibility for the fee structure in this regard, and it is utilized to maintain the standards and quality of the examination.
