UGC’s Fee Nivaran Cell resolves over 4,250 complaints, refunds Rs 25.51 crore to students

NEW DELHI: Data from the University Grants Commission's (UGC's) Fee Nivaran Cell showed that 4,257 complaints were resolved in the past five academic years. The UGC's Fee Nivaran Cell refunded over Rs 25.51 crore to students, ensuring transparency and accountability in fee-related issues.

"UGC Fee Nivaran initiative resolved over 4,250+ complaints and refunded over ₹25.51 crores to students, ensuring transparency and accountability in fee-related issues", UGC said on X.

This trend highlights an increase in fee-related irregularities across higher educational institutions (HEIs), with more than 50% of complaints filed in the academic year 2023-24 alone, TOI reported. The Fee Nivaran Cell operates under the UGC's e-Samadhaan platform, enabling students to file grievances and seek redressal.

As per the report by TOI, Uttar Pradesh registered the highest number of complaints, followed by Delhi and Rajasthan. UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar noted the refund rate is of around 97%.

"The cell has processed complaints from 32 states and Union Territories, with over 1,386 female students benefiting from refunds amounting to Rs 8.71 crore. Our efforts have extended to all types of HEIS - central, state, private, deemed universities, and even institutes of national importance. Private universities accounted for highest number of complaints, reflecting the need for continued vigilance in this sector", UGC chairman said.

UGC's e-Samadhaan platform

UGC started the Fee Nivaran Cell in 2020 during the Covid as an initiative to promote trust in the higher education system while alleviating undue financial burdens on students. UGC e-Samadhan Online Grievance Registering and Monitoring System is a digital platform to identify and apply for grievances, feedback, queries. This platform ensures a time-bound mechanism for redressal of the grievances.

To stream line the stake holders grievance redressal mechanisms, UGC has merged its existing portals/ helplines except anti ragging helpline and developed a new portal "UGC e-samadhan: A step forward: Service to Stake Holders" which would be a single Window system for all the stake holders for registering their complaints, grievances on the portal which would be available 24x7.

A toll free number 1800-111-656 will also be available on UGC website 24x7 for lodging complaints by the stake holders on any issue faced by them.

As per the official website of UGC's e samadhan portal, the user would be able to register a grievance by following simple procedure with the help of mail ID /making a phone call on toll free number. The complaint gets recorded and a docket number shall be allotted which would be automatically reflected in the concerned bureau head's accounts.

UGC’s e-Samadhaan Portal: Time limit

The concerned bureau will resolve the issues within the specified time, as outlined below: