In a session marked by intense drama, including protests, sloganeering, walkouts, and other disruptions that necessitated additional security and an adjournment, Mumbai University’s Senate meeting on Saturday approved a budget outlay of Rs 968.17 crore for the 2025-26 financial year, reflecting a 9.52% increase from the previous year.
Members affiliated with Aditya Thackeray-led Yuva Sena and the Bombay University College Teachers Union (BUCTU) staged a sit-in protest inside the well of the house, alleging that the budget was not presented for discussion in the university’s Management Council (MC) meeting before being tabled in the Senate.
The university administration, however, maintained that the budget was included in the agenda of the MC meeting held on March 12 “as part of the minutes of the previous meeting”. The protestors kept asking why it was not directly mentioned and continued sloganeering until the end of the session.
The Senate meeting was convened at the Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Convocation Hall on the university’s Fort campus. Tensions flared even before the budget presentation, with Yuva Sena (UBT) member Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth raising a point of order, stating, “Considering that passing of the budget was not part of the MC meeting agenda, it was not discussed there and thus should not be presented at the Senate meeting.”
This triggered a brief walkout by protesting members, who later returned and staged a sit-in protest inside the well of the house. The protest lasted over two hours, with Vice Chancellor, Prof Ravindra Kulkarni, requiring to adjourn the proceedings for 15 minutes due to continued sloganeering. Despite continued disruptions, the budget was eventually passed by a majority vote.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Ajay Bhamare clarified that the budget was indeed discussed during the MC meeting, as the minutes of the previous meeting—which included the budget—were part of the agenda. “Minutes of the previous MC meeting were mentioned on the agenda for discussion, and it included the budget,” he stated while reading from the MC meeting agenda.
Supporting this stance, other MC members present in the Senate endorsed the administration’s claim, following which the budget presentation proceeded amid chaos and was approved within minutes.
The budget allocates substantial funds across various academic and research initiatives. A significant outlay of Rs 75 crore is earmarked for research enhancement, internationalisation of higher education, student support, and governance reforms. Key allocations include Rs 10 crore for academic quality enhancement, Rs 15 crore for strengthening research and innovation, Rs 5 crore for student welfare initiatives such as financial assistance for economically weaker students and support for transgender students, Rs 5 crore for alumni engagement and university-industry linkages, and Rs 5 crore for initiatives to internationalise higher education.
Additionally, in a new initiative, Rs 35 crore has been set aside for governance and infrastructure development, aligning with the university’s vision to be among the top global institutions. Plans include the upgradation of academic and residential infrastructure, the establishment of a carbon-neutral green campus, enhancement of sports facilities, and digitalisation efforts, including a paperless governance framework.
The budget also earmarks funds for specific projects such as the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre, the expansion of the International Students’ Hostel, a new School of Languages building, and residential quarters for university staff.
Further governance initiatives include the enhancement of campus security, digitalisation of administrative records, and sustainability efforts under Viksit Bharat at 2047. The university is also increasing its investment in scholarships and awards, including the Savitribai Phule Adarsh Shikshika Award, Best Teacher Awards, and an expansion of merit-based scholarships and gold medals for outstanding students.
Despite the protests, the administration emphasised that the budget prioritises academic excellence, research growth, and student welfare. The passage of the budget, albeit amid controversy, sets the course for Mumbai University’s expansion and modernisation in the upcoming fiscal year.
