By Admin 
The biggest problem of students regarding refund of fees now seems to be gradually reducing. The effect of the strictness of the University Grants Commission (UGC) is clearly visible on those universities and colleges which earlier used to delay in returning the fees. The latest figures of UGC’s Fee Redressal Cell show that in the last five years, a total of more than Rs 37.25 crore has been refunded to the students. In this, maximum amount has been returned from private and deemed universities.
According to UGC, most of the complaints were received regarding refund of fees from the academic session 2022-23 to 2024-25. Over the years, a large number of students have alleged that the universities are not refunding the fees even after the admission is canceled or are delaying it unnecessarily. However, in the current session of 2025-26, there has been a significant decline in the number of complaints. This simply means that universities have now started following the rules.
What do the rules say?
UGC has made clear and simple rules regarding fee refund. According to this, if a student cancels the admission in any academic session till 30th September, then he will have to refund the entire fee. Whereas if the student withdraws his name till October 31, then the university can deduct only a maximum of Rs 1000 as processing fee. Apart from this, it is mandatory to return the entire remaining amount to the student.
Fees worth more than Rs 37 crore returned
In the last five years, major action has been taken regarding fee refund. The complaints of students moving from one university to another are now being resolved rapidly. However, there are still some cases with the UGC in which the fees have not been refunded or the original documents of the students have been withheld. UGC says that after investigating every complaint, strict instructions are being given to the concerned university or college.
Till now, fees worth more than Rs 37 crore have been refunded to the students. Along with this, about Rs 13.99 crore related to old cases are also expected to be returned to the students soon.
How much was refunded year after year?
If we look at the annual figures, initially the amount was less, but as complaints increased and UGC showed strictness, the amount of refund also increased.
While only a few lakh rupees were returned in 2020-21, in 2022-23 this figure crossed Rs 10 crore. In 2023-24, students got back fees worth more than Rs 13 crore. It is clear that the impact of the action is continuously increasing.
Complete account of complaints
The number of complaints regarding fee refunds also tells a lot. About 1380 complaints were registered in the year 2022. In the next year 2023, this number increased to 3289, which is the highest figure till date. Even in 2024-25, 2860 complaints were received. But it is a matter of relief that due to the strictness of UGC, the situation is improving now. In the current academic session till December 2025, only 819 complaints have been registered. A total of 8625 complaints have been received in the last five years, out of which 5676 cases have been resolved. The remaining 2423 cases are still pending, preparations are underway to resolve them soon.
Keep a close eye on every complaint
UGC officials say that every complaint is being closely monitored. After listening to the problems of the students, the concerned institution has to respond. Many times it happens that the counseling process takes a long time and the student later finds the institute of his choice. Keeping this situation in mind, UGC has implemented this fee refund policy, so that students can choose better options without fear.
Only Rs 1000 or Rs 100 will be deducted
According to UGC rules, if a student cancels the admission within the stipulated dates, only Rs 1000 can be deducted from it. At the same time, further relief has been given in those institutions where the admission process continues even after October 31. In such cases, if you apply in time, the entire fee will have to be refunded, and in some special circumstances, a deduction of only Rs 100 is allowed.
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