Assam State School Education Board HSLC Fees Row | Sribhumi

Assam State School Education Board A recent controversy has come to light in Sribhumi district (formerly Karimganj, Assam), following a video posted by Baharul Islam on 24 September 2025. The video alleges that several private institutions are charging students between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000 for the upcoming HSLC/AHM (Class 10) examinations, despite the official fee of just ₹1,200. The matter has sparked widespread debate among parents and education activists, who are also questioning whether the Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) itself is responsible for collecting higher amounts than necessary. Watch the original video here.

According to the official fee structure released by the Assam State School Education Board for the 2026 HSLC/AHM exams:

• Examination Fee: ₹800

• Centre Fee: ₹350

• Practical Fee: ₹50 per subject (around ₹150–₹200 total for science students)
  This brings the total payable amount to approximately ₹1,150–₹1,350.

Historically, the amount has hovered around ₹1,200, showing only marginal increases in recent years. However, the viral claim suggests that not only private schools but also the Board itself is indirectly enabling inflated collection, since schools remit the fees through SEBA’s online portal. Parents allege that they are being charged well above the notified structure, which if true, would amount to an exploitation of students and guardians.

Overcharging by private schools in Assam has been reported earlier, mostly related to tuition, admission, and book costs, but rarely concerning SEBA exam fees. Still, the fact that such allegations are surfacing in Sribhumi indicates a lack of transparency in how schools and possibly the Board itself are handling collections. Activists argue that if the Assam State School Education Board does not strictly monitor transactions, schools will continue to misuse the system.

Education experts suggest that this viral claim could also stem from confusion—parents might be combining the official exam fee with extra charges demanded by schools for administrative purposes. Nevertheless, the perception that the Board is taking extra money has gained traction on social media.

For clarity, parents are advised to verify the exact amounts directly on SEBA’s official portals—sebaregistration.org and sebaonline.org. If overcharging is detected, immediate complaints should be filed with the District Education Officer of Sribhumi or emailed to seba.assam@gmail.com.

In conclusion, while the Assam State School Education Board officially maintains the fee between ₹1,150–₹1,350, allegations of ₹2,500–₹3,000 charges remain unsubstantiated. Yet, the perception that the Board itself is allowing excess collection is damaging its credibility. Only a transparent audit and strict monitoring can restore public trust in the examination process