UGC directs universities to refund fees of students for academic year 2020-21 in view of COVID-19

University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education, Government of India has directed universities/ institution to refund fees for first year of under-graduate and post- graduate students of the Universities for the academic year 2020- 21 in view of COVID-19. The guidelines are available on UGC website www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/1019576Guideline.pdf.

According to DIPR report, UGC guidelines were to be followed mandatorily by all the universities in letter and spirit. Any institution/ university found violating guidelines and refusing to refund the fee by giving its own interpretation of guidelines shall be liable for punitive actions as notified in clause 5 of UGC notification refund of fees and non-retention of original certificate. The order further instructed to ensure compliance of UGC directions in respect of refund of fee in accordance with UGC guidelines on academic calendar.

Due to the prevalence of corona in the country for the last 9 months, many students decided to drop out of education and cancelled their admission. However, while cancelling the admission, they were given the amount by the educational institutions by deducting the fee. Several students had lodged complaints with the UGC. Often these admissions are from private, professional institutions. Therefore, some amount is deducted from the total fee and some amount is refunded to the students. However, in order to ensure that parents and students do not have to pay more during this period, the UGC has clarified that educational institution should return the amount of the cancelled admissions till November 30 without any deduction.