The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned of punitive action as prescribed under the relevant guidelines/regulations as far as non-compliance of refund of fees to students is concerned. The directive came after UGC received several complaints regarding the non-refund of fees against many Higher Educational Institutions (HEls) in the country.
In a letter to the vice-chancellor of universities and principal of colleges, the UGC has requested all the HEls vide mail and reminders to act on the complaints received from the students seeking a refund of fees paid to the institutes after those students migrated to other institutions.
The University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 also states action in case of delay in, or denial of the refund of fees due to a student who withdraws admission within the time mentioned in the prospectus, subject to guidelines, if any, issued by the Commission from time to time.
“In view of above, you are hereby advised to pay special attention towards fee refund of the aggrieved students and abide by UGC's guidelines / regulations issued with respect to fee refund of the students,” UGC letter read.
In another notice, the UGC has asked Universities and affiliated colleges to take note of the provision given in the "Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes".
Students who have already enrolled and are pursuing UG programme as per Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) are eligible to pursue 4-year undergraduate programme and the university concerned may provide bridge courses (including online courses) to enable them for transition to 4-year IJG programme, UGC said.