1 week Ago
Private universities have become the primary focus of complaints concerning fee-related practices, highlighting the need for a thorough review of their fee structures. ET Year-end Special Reads Stocks to buy in 2025: 66 ideas from top brokerages for your new year portfolio What does 2025 hold for India's IT services sector? 2025 may be the year of EVs in India, dominated by SUV launches Data from the University Grants Commission 's (UGC's) Fee Nivaran Cell shows showed that 4,257 complaints were resolved in the past five academic years, resulting in refunds totalling over Rs 25.5 crore.
This trend highlights an increase in fee-related irregularities across higher educational institutions (HEIs), with more than 50% of complaints filed in the academic year 2023-24 alone. Among states, Uttar Pradesh registered the highest number of complaints, followed by Delhi and Rajasthan. The Fee Nivaran Cell functions through the UGC's e-Samadhaan platform, allowing students to register grievances and seek resolution.
According to senior UGC officials, the increasing number of complaints indicates the system's enhanced effectiveness and its contribution to promoting transparency in the practices of higher education institutions. UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar emphasised the cell's success, noting a refund rate of around 97%. He said: "It has processed complaints from 32 states and Union Territories, with over 1,386 female students benefiting from refunds amounting to Rs 8.
71 crore. Our efforts have extended to all types of HEIs - central, state, private, deemed universities, and even institutes of national importance. Private universities accounted for highest number of complaints, reflecting the need for continued vigilance in this sector.
" Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.
e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program UGC started the Fee Nivaran Cell in 2020 during the Covid as an initiative to promote trust in the higher education system while alleviating undue financial burdens on students. Private universities accounted for the largest share of complaints, with 1,475 cases resolved and refunds totaling over Rs 10.12 crore.
State universities followed with 1,211 resolved cases and refunds of Rs 4.32 crore, while deemed to be universities addressed 770 complaints with refunds exceeding Rs 9.68 crore.
Central universities resolved 799 complaints, issuing refunds of Rs 1.34 crore, and institutes of national importance resolved two complaints, refunding Rs 4.41 lakh.
Geographically, Uttar Pradesh led in complaints, with 827 cases resolved and refunds totaling nearly Rs 4.96 crore. Delhi followed with 591 complaints and refunds of over Rs 2.
21 crore, while Rajasthan resolved 418 cases with refunds amounting to Rs 1.65 crore. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal also featured prominently, with 381 and 377 complaints resolved, resulting in refunds of Rs 1.
99 crore and Rs 0.92 crore, respectively. The academic year 2023-24 witnessed a record 2,251 complaints, a sharp rise compared to 927 complaints in 2022-23 and 915 in 2024-25.
(With TOI inputs) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ).
