SFI Hails Kerala Government’s Landmark Decision to Implement Free Undergraduate Education in State

New Delhi: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has praised the Kerala government for introducing free undergraduate education in government arts and science colleges, a move described as a first in the country. The announcement was part of the Kerala state budget presented by Finance Minister K N Balagopal, a former All India President of SFI.

In a statement, SFI’s Central Executive Committee said the decision strengthens Kerala’s public education system, which is already noted for its inclusivity and quality. The organization highlighted that the initiative stands in sharp contrast to recent fee hikes in central and state universities, which SFI attributes to the commercialization of education under the BJP-RSS-led National Education Policy (NEP).

“The Kerala government’s step towards fully funded higher education is a model that the entire country can follow,” the statement said, emphasizing that accessible education is crucial for empowering India, which continues to grapple with the remnants of feudal structures and caste-based inequities.

SFI also welcomed the government’s decision to increase the Non-NET fellowship for PhD students to 15,000 rupees per month, with a total allocation of 38.76 crore rupees in the budget. The federation noted that Non-NET fellowships in most central and state universities are significantly lower, with some students receiving no support at all, and called for similar measures nationwide.

Other student-focused initiatives highlighted by SFI include a comprehensive student insurance scheme and the Chief Minister’s Student Excellence Award, which aim to provide additional support and recognition for students across the state.

According to SFI, these combined measures represent a progressive approach to higher education, positioning Kerala as a trailblazer in student welfare and accessible education in India.