India, April 22 -- The education department is considering extending financial relief for female students by waiving not just tuition and examination fees, but also additional institutional charges, commonly referred to as "other fees", state Higher and Technical Education minister Chandrakant Patil announced on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after a book launch event at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Patil said that while girls enrolled in professional courses already receive 100% concessions on tuition and exam fees, the government is now exploring similar relief for additional college charges.

"These 'other fees' often place an extra burden on students. We are discussing with the Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA) to bring these...