The Bombay High Court has declined an interim request by ILS Law College to charge its previous 'other fees' of ₹37,000 during the 2026-27 admission cycle. The court upheld the lower fee of ₹4,340 set by the Savitribai Phule Pune University committee, with a provision for potential recovery if the college's legal challenge succeeds later.
What Happened
The Bombay High Court has rejected an interim plea from the Indian Law Society (ILS) Law College, which sought permission to collect its earlier 'other fees' of approximately ₹37,000 during the ongoing 2026-27 academic year admissions. The court ruled that the college must align with the fee structure mandated by the Savitribai Phule Pune University’s (SPPU) Fee Fixation Committee (FFC), which has capped these specific fees at ₹4,340.
The Fee Fixation Conflict
The dispute centers on a significant reduction in the fee structure. The college had challenged the FFC's directive, which effectively reduced its 'other fees' by roughly 88% and the total fee structure by 77%. The college argued that maintaining such a low fee level poses a risk to the institution's financial stability and operational sustainability.
The Court’s Interim Approach
To balance the interests of the institution and the students, the Division Bench, consisting of Justices R.I. Chagla and Farhan Dubash, provided an interim direction. The college is instructed to inform the Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell and students about the reduced fee approved by the university committee.
Crucially, the court has safeguarded the college’s right to seek recovery of the difference—between the ₹4,340 currently allowed and the ₹37,000 it sought—from the students at a later date, provided the college succeeds in its main writ petition challenging the fee reduction. This effectively allows the college to continue its legal battle without immediately forcing students to pay the higher amount while the case is ongoing.
Student Intervention
The legal proceedings have attracted participation from the student body. A group of 14 students, represented by legal counsel, has filed an intervention application to be included as respondents in the matter. The students argued that any final decision regarding the fee structure would have a direct impact on their personal financial obligations for the upcoming academic year.
What To Watch Next
The primary monitorable for this case is the next scheduled hearing, which is set for June 29. Observers will track whether the court eventually upholds the FFC's fee reduction or grants relief to the institution. For stakeholders, the outcome will serve as a precedent for how university committees and educational institutions resolve disputes regarding fee fixation and financial autonomy.