UGC asks colleges, universities to refund students’ fee, comply with 2024-25 policy

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the colleges and universities to comply with the fee refund policy for the academic year 2024-25 and redress student grievances as per 2023 regulations. The commission warned the higher education institutions of ‘punitive action’ in case of violation of the policy. The statement came after UGC received complaints from students and parents.

“The University Grants Commission receives many representations/complaints from students/parents on the non-refund of fees by the Higher Education lnstitutions (HEls) on cancellation/withdrawal of admissions. Students should be allowed a full refund of fees within a specified period to enable them to opt for a course of their choice,” said UGC in an official notice.

UGC fee refund policy 2024-25

The commission informed that it has considered the matter in its 580th meeting held on May 15, 2024, and after considering the relevant factors, decided the following fee refund policy for the academic session 2024-25:

• Notwithstanding anything contained in any guidelines/prospectus/notification/schedule, a full refund of fee shall be made by the HEls on account of all cancellations of admissions/migrations of students up to September 30, 2024 and with a deduction of not more than Rs 1,000 as a processing fee, up to October 31, 2024.
• The policy shall apply to all higher education institutions, whether established or incorporated by or under a central act or a state act, and every institution recognized by the UGC, and to all deemed universities and all higher education institutions affiliated to a university.
• These guidelines would also be applicable to organizations, consortiums, committees, associations, etc., constituted for the purpose of conducting counselling or processing admissions and collecting fees on behalf of participating HEls, and the HEI concerned will be responsible for refund.
• For any admission schedule extending/commencing beyond/after October 31, 2024, the provisions contained in the notification on refund of fees and non-retention of original certificates shall apply.