Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Pune University Raises Canteen Meal Prices, Prompting Student Opposition
Savitribai Phule Pune University plans to make canteen meals ₹10 more expensive.
The new prices will start on October 1, 2026.
The university says the costs of ingredients, cooking gas and workers have increased.
It says prices had stayed the same for four years.
The university also says it does not charge canteen operators for licence fees, electricity or water.
Officials say the increase is needed to keep food hygienic, nutritious and good quality.
Some students disagree with the decision.
They say students will pay more without seeing better food.
Student representatives have asked the university to cancel the increase and have threatened protests.
Savitribai Phule Pune University will raise campus canteen meal prices by ₹10 from October 1, 2026.
The university cited higher costs for food grains, pulses, cooking oil, dairy products, commercial LPG and labour.
A limited vegetarian thali will cost ₹48 for monthly members and ₹57 for other customers.
A limited mini vegetarian thali will cost ₹38 for monthly members and ₹45 for other customers.
Student representatives demanded withdrawal of the hike, citing financial pressure and concerns about food quality and consultation.
- Who
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, its canteen operators and student representatives, including Rahul Sasane and Virendra Baba Rao of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
- What
- The university increased campus canteen meal rates by ₹10.
- When
- The revised rates will take effect on October 1, 2026; the previous rates had remained unchanged from 2022 to 2026.
- Where
- Canteens on the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus in Pune.
- Why
- The university cited increased costs for food ingredients, commercial LPG and labour, while students opposed the added financial burden and questioned food quality and consultation.
University Administration
Student Representatives
Reason for the price increase
University Administration
The university says four years of rising input costs made the old rates difficult to sustain and that revised minimum rates were approved after deliberations by its Management Council.
Student Representatives
Students say the increase creates an additional financial burden and should be withdrawn.
Food quality and affordability
University Administration
The administration says higher rates are necessary to maintain hygienic, nutritious and quality food without compromising students’ health.
Student Representatives
Rahul Sasane alleged that food quality had not improved despite the increase, while Virendra Baba Rao referred to recent action by the Food and Drug Administration against one canteen.
Consultation and response
University Administration
The administration said it had finalised the rates through its Management Council and noted that canteen operators do not pay licence, electricity or water charges.
Student Representatives
Virendra Baba Rao alleged that no meeting had been held with food committee members for four months and said the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad would protest if the decision was not withdrawn.
- Price increase
- ₹10 per meal category
- Effective date
- October 1, 2026
- Limited vegetarian thali
- ₹38 to ₹48 for monthly members; ₹47 to ₹57 for other customers
- Limited mini vegetarian thali
- ₹28 to ₹38 for monthly members; ₹35 to ₹45 for other customers
- University rationale
- Rising costs of food grains, pulses, cooking oil, dairy products, commercial LPG and labour
- Previous pricing period
- Rates remained unchanged from 2022 to 2026
- Student response
- Representatives demanded withdrawal and threatened protests