PhD students in Tamil Nadu face graduation delays over unpaid fees

More than 20 PhD students at a state-aided college in Tamil Nadu, India, are unable to complete their doctoral programs due to unpaid research fees. The college has reportedly failed to transfer necessary funds to research centers at Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) for over seven years.

Students claim they have fulfilled all financial obligations by paying their tuition and fees to the college in full. However, the lack of fund transfers to the university has stalled critical administrative processes, such as the approval of the J-form, which is required for students to attend preliminary defenses and submit their final theses.

One student, who has been enrolled in a part-time program for nearly eight years, reported facing continuous delays and unresponsiveness from university research departments. The prolonged situation has caused significant distress, with reports of students resorting to protests to demand the settlement of outstanding dues.