UGC Issues New Fee Refund Policy Starting From 2024-25 Session
The University Grant Commission (UGC) has issued a fee refund policy for the academic session 2024-25 during its 580th meeting on May 15, 2024. Students and parents have registered complaints about the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) failing to refund fees while admission cancellation or withdrawal.
The newly adopted policy on refunds applies to
- all the HEIs established under Central or State Acts
- those recognized by the UGC under section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956.
- Institutions deemed to be universities under section 3 of the UGC Act and its affiliated institutions.
- Institutions conducting admissions and fee collection on behalf of HEIs.
The UGC decided that the institutions must provide a full refund of fees for the cancellation of admission or migrations of students up to September 30. If the processing occurs by October 31, 2024, the nominal processing fee of up to Rs 1,000 will be deducted.
For admission schedules starting after October 31, HEIs must follow the UGC’s October 2018 notification on fee refunds. The earlier guidelines specify the refund based on the timing of the notice of withdrawal of admission.
Any delay or denial of refunds beyond a time limit will considered a breach and subject the HEIs to punitive actions under the UGC 2018 notification.
As per the UGC, the policy will remain effective from 2024-25 and in subsequent sessions until revised. The UGC has reflected a commitment to address students’ grievances through the Redressal of Grievances of Students Regulations, 2023.
“The Higher Education institutions are requested to ensure compliance with the fee refund policy for the academic session 2024-25 and redress any grievance by the provisions of the University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023”, the UGC said.
