Now Reading: JAC raises 2027 exam fees, parents body seeks rollback
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JAC raises 2027 exam fees, parents body seeks rollback
The Story in Brief
The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has raised examination fees by Rs 120 for the 2027 matric and intermediate exams, the second consecutive yearly hike. Matric candidates will pay between Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,300, while intermediate students will pay between Rs 1,220 and Rs 1,520, depending on category.
The application process opened on 12 November. Students can submit forms without a late fee until 26 November, with fee payment due by 30 November. Late submissions close on 4 December, with payment due by 7 December. Exams are tentatively expected to start in the first week of February 2027.
Around 8 lakh students are expected to appear. Ajay Rai, president of Jharkhand Abhibhavak Sangh, criticised the hike and demanded a review, restoration of previous rates, and concessions for financially disadvantaged students. The Avenue Mail reports overall charges have risen by up to 40 percent over two years, it puts annual student numbers at around 7.5 lakh.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Times of India leads with the fee structure and the parents' body demand, quoting a daily-wage parent and the JAC secretary, and notes the chairman did not respond to calls. The Avenue Mail leads with the hike itself, stressing the second consecutive increase, a 40 percent cumulative rise, and added financial burden on disadvantaged groups. Both report the same Rs 120 increase and late-fee deadlines, but only the TOI names the parents' body and its demand for a rollback. The Avenue Mail's framing leans critical by foregrounding the burden on families, while the TOI presents official statements alongside the criticism. A balanced reading: the hike is confirmed, but the exam schedule is tentative until the board meets.
A concrete point to watch is whether the state government responds to the parents' demand for a review before the regular application window closes on 26 November.
Coverage: 2 sources, 1 government-critical, 1 neutral
Sources (2): avenuemail.in (government critical), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
