All Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India have received a strong warning from the University Grants Commission (UGC) lately regarding the dire repercussions of violating the fee refund policy. This follows many directives and reminders over the previous four years asking colleges to pay back fees to students who cancel their admission within the specified time frame.
UGC’s Strict Measures for Non-Compliance
The UGC has made it clear that it will take stringent actions against institutions that fail to comply with the fee refund policy. These actions could include:
- Withholding Recognition: Institutions may lose recognition or entitlement for existing online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs.
- Rejection of Fresh Applications: New applications for online and ODL programs will not be accepted.
- Withdrawal of Status: Institutions may face the withdrawal of their 2(f) and 12(B) status, which are crucial for receiving UGC grants.
- Withholding Grants: Any grants provided by the UGC could be withheld.
- Cancellation of Autonomy: The autonomy or graded autonomy status of institutions might be canceled or not granted.
- Public Notification: The UGC will inform the general public, including potential candidates, about the institution’s non-compliance through prominent notices in newspapers and on the UGC website.
Background and Repeated Notices
The UGC’s warning follows several notices and circulars issued over the past four years, directing all HEIs to comply with the fee refund policy. Despite these repeated communications, many institutions have not adhered to the guidelines. The UGC’s official notice emphasizes that refusal to refund fees based on an institution’s interpretation of UGC notifications raises serious concerns.
Potential Punitive Actions
As stated in Clause 5 of the UGC notification on the refund of fees and non-retention of original certificates issued in October 2018, the UGC emphasises in its most recent notice that non-compliance may result in punitive actions. The letter states, “It has been noticed that despite UGC’s repeated oral and written communications, your institutions have failed to adhere to the UGC notifications and guidelines.”
Importance of Compliance
The UGC’s fee refund policy is designed to protect students’ interests and ensure that they are not financially burdened when canceling admissions. Institutions are expected to respect and follow these guidelines to maintain their credibility and eligibility for various benefits provided by the UGC.
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