Mumbai University approves Rs 968.18 crore budget, calls it ‘student-centric’; outlay up 12%

NEW DELHI: The University of Mumbai has approved an “all-inclusive student-centric” budget of Rs 968.18 crore today in the general assembly, Mumbai, under the chairmanship of MU vice-chancellor Ravindra Kulkarni. Despite struggling with an increased deficit of Rs 147.63 crore, the university said it has prioritized “quality, inclusiveness, and excellence”.

As per the MU budget for the financial year 2025-26, a significant amount of Rs 135 crore has been allocated for various developmental activities such as setting up of hostel, staff quarters, and academic blocks construction.

It has also made provision of Rs 75 crore for academic and governance excellence initiatives, including strengthening research and innovation culture, internationalization of higher education and initiatives for global citizenship education, student support and advancement initiatives, alumni connect and university-industry collaboration initiatives.

This is the first MU budget meeting in two years held with all 10 elected senate members of the university. The Yuva Sena (UBT) stalled the meeting and staged a sit-in protest alleging that the budget had neither been presented nor approved in the management council meeting. However, the university claimed otherwise.

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MU Budget 2025: Key highlights

Last year, the total budget outlay of the university was Rs 857 crore and the deficit stood at Rs 121.6 crore. The MU Budget has been increased by more than 12% for the financial year 2025-26.

• Rs 135 crore for various developmental activities including hostel, staff quarters and academic blocks construction.
• Rs 10 crore for teacher training, awards, rankings, e-content development, collaboration with other universities etc.
• Rs 15 crore to strengthen research, start-ups, lecture series and more.
• Rs 5 crore for student help desk, equal opportunity cell, single-window system etc.
• Rs 5 crore for industry and alumni linkages.
• Rs 5 crore for NEP implementation and internationalisation of higher education.
• Rs 35 crore for governance, quality, accessibility and excellence initiatives.