<p>The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken a decision in this regard and asked the Central Universities, State Universities and Deemed Universities to implement it immediately.<br /><br />The decision will immensely benefit the aspiring students from Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.<br /><br />These students have been paying higher fee compared to their Indian counterparts. In IITs, they pay USD 1000 (Rs 45,000) per semester while Indian students are paying Rs 25,000.<br /><br />"The UGC has approved a proposal for reducing fee for the students of SAARC countries. They will pay the same amount as the Indian students are paying," UGC Secretary R K Chauhansaid.<br /><br />He said the decision of the UGC has been communicated to the nearly 480 universities and deemed universities for its immediate implementation.<br /><br />The proposal was originally mooted by Nepal which wanted reduction for its students in Indian universities. However, the UGC decided to extend the benefit to all the SAARC countries.<br /><br />The step assumes significance as India remains the most preferred destination for the students of the SAARC countries.<br /><br />Afghanistan sent 1,654 students, the highest number in 2008-09. The total number of foreign students that year was 3,471. The other major source countries are Nepal (238), Bangladesh (236), Sri Lanka (187) and Maldives (76).<br /><br />Students from these countries mostly pursue MBBS, BE/B.Tech, Business Management, Hotel Management and Languages.<br /><br />Incidentally, the IIT and IIMs are mulling over reduction of fee for the foreign students. The IITs and IIMs are considering creating extra seats for foreign students.<br />The number of foreign students are very less in the IITs and IIMs mainly because of the high fees, an IIT director said.<br /><br />"IITs attract mainly students from the developing countries. These students find it difficult to pay the huge amount and develop a cold feet on coming here," he said.<br />The number of seats could be hiked by ten per cent in IIMs to accommodate foreign students, who could have to appear in a G-MAT type of exam for the seat into the premier institutes.<br /></p>
<p>The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken a decision in this regard and asked the Central Universities, State Universities and Deemed Universities to implement it immediately.<br /><br />The decision will immensely benefit the aspiring students from Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.<br /><br />These students have been paying higher fee compared to their Indian counterparts. In IITs, they pay USD 1000 (Rs 45,000) per semester while Indian students are paying Rs 25,000.<br /><br />"The UGC has approved a proposal for reducing fee for the students of SAARC countries. They will pay the same amount as the Indian students are paying," UGC Secretary R K Chauhansaid.<br /><br />He said the decision of the UGC has been communicated to the nearly 480 universities and deemed universities for its immediate implementation.<br /><br />The proposal was originally mooted by Nepal which wanted reduction for its students in Indian universities. However, the UGC decided to extend the benefit to all the SAARC countries.<br /><br />The step assumes significance as India remains the most preferred destination for the students of the SAARC countries.<br /><br />Afghanistan sent 1,654 students, the highest number in 2008-09. The total number of foreign students that year was 3,471. The other major source countries are Nepal (238), Bangladesh (236), Sri Lanka (187) and Maldives (76).<br /><br />Students from these countries mostly pursue MBBS, BE/B.Tech, Business Management, Hotel Management and Languages.<br /><br />Incidentally, the IIT and IIMs are mulling over reduction of fee for the foreign students. The IITs and IIMs are considering creating extra seats for foreign students.<br />The number of foreign students are very less in the IITs and IIMs mainly because of the high fees, an IIT director said.<br /><br />"IITs attract mainly students from the developing countries. These students find it difficult to pay the huge amount and develop a cold feet on coming here," he said.<br />The number of seats could be hiked by ten per cent in IIMs to accommodate foreign students, who could have to appear in a G-MAT type of exam for the seat into the premier institutes.<br /></p>