Mumbai University revenue shrinks as colleges go autonomous

Mumbai University is facing a severe revenue squeeze as more colleges affiliated with it opt for autonomous status or break away to form separate universities. The number of autonomous colleges under MU has more than doubled from 62 in 2023 to 135 now. This shift has cut off the recurring affiliation and examination fees that these colleges once contributed, which had been a major revenue source for the university.

The impact is visible in the sharp drop in students taking university exams. The number of TYBCom students appearing for final exams fell from 74,863 in 2018 to 45,758 in March 2025, a nearly 40 percent decline. University senate members say larger colleges with traditionally big commerce cohorts, such as Jai Hind, NM, Mithibai, Sydenham and HR, have either become autonomous or joined new universities, reducing fee income.

MU is also losing enrolment in its Centre for Distance and Online Education, which had over 80,000 students in the early 2020s but only 24,000 last year. Private institutions offering structured online programmes are drawing students away. The university's budget deficit has more than doubled in the last decade, while expenses under the Seventh Pay Commission and inflation have risen. A state government official said public universities should not rely solely on affiliation and exam fees.