Guwahati, August 25, 2026 — The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) has come under sharp criticism for enforcing a ₹5,000 fine on majority of students who failed to report for the first day of the Odd Semester 2026 on July 20, a day when Guwahati was battered by heavy rainfall and widespread flooding that made travel nearly impossible.
According to a notice circulated by the university administration under Prof. (Dr) Diganta Munshi, Registrar – Administration, academic activities for UG 3rd, 5th, 7th & 9th Semesters and PG 3rd Semester were to commence on July 20, 2026. Students were advised to report positively on that day. The notice stated: “It may kindly be noted that in case any student fails to report on 20th July 2026, a fine of Rs. 5,000/- shall be imposed. Further, the student’s attendance access in the ERP system shall be disabled with effect from 20th July 2026 onwards.” Fee payment for the semester was due by June 30, 2026.
On July 20, Guwahati recorded 137.8 mm of rain, inundating large parts of the city, including roads leading to the RGU campus at Betkuchi. Floodwaters stranded residents, disrupted transport, and forced many who attempted to reach the university to turn back. Reports confirm that even the university’s own access road was affected by the flooding. A majority of students could not attend classes due to the harsh weather and rough conditions.
Despite these circumstances, the administration proceeded to impose the fine on the absentees. Students report that their attendance access has been disabled, and the university’s mobile app displays a prominent “Re-registration Fee Pending” alert with a “Pay Now” button. The app warns: “You will not get attendance in class till you pay the fee.” Even students who had already paid their semester fees remain blocked from attendance marking and further registration until the additional ₹5,000 is cleared.
Critics have described the move as a rigid application of rules that disregards the ground reality of a natural calamity. Social media posts and student accounts have labelled it “nothing short of extortion,” noting that Guwahati’s frequent waterlogging means a single heavy shower often keeps people indoors. One widely shared post highlighted the irony of RGU’s recent involvement in Assam Premier League cricket while appearing unaware of, or indifferent to, the city’s monsoon realities for its own students. Appeals have been made to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Ranoj Pegu to intervene.
The university has conducted flood relief activities in other parts of Assam, including support for affected families in Upper Assam districts through its NSS Cell. However, no public clarification has been issued regarding any waiver, consideration for flood-affected students, or review of the fine in light of the July 20 conditions.
Students and observers argue that enforcing a steep financial penalty and blocking academic access for absence caused by documented city-wide flooding represents a misuse of administrative rules. The policy, intended to ensure timely reporting, has instead left hundreds of students facing an additional financial burden and academic disruption at the start of the semester, months after the event.
As of late August, the “Re-registration Fee Pending” status continues to appear for affected students on the university app, underscoring the ongoing impact of the July 20 decision.