The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced new rules for college fee refunds. These changes will help students get their money back more easily if they cancel their admission. The new policy is for the 2025-26 academic year and gives students more time to decide about their college choices.
Under these new rules, students who cancel or withdraw their admission to any college or university can get a full refund of their fees. This full refund applies if they cancel their admission by September 30, 2025 . If a student cancels their admission between October 1 and October 31, 2025 , they will still get most of their money back. In this case, the college will deduct only a small amount of Rs 1,000 as a processing fee.
Key Dates for College Fee Refunds
Here is a simple breakdown of the refund deadlines for students:
| Cancellation Date | Refund Amount |
| On or before September 30, 2025 | Full refund of fees |
| Between October 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025 | Refund after deducting Rs 1,000 (processing charge) |
| After October 31, 2025 | Refund amount depends on how close the withdrawal date is to the last date of admission. This will follow older UGC guidelines. |
The UGC has also made it clear that colleges must return the refund money quickly. Once a student submits a request for a refund, the college has 15 days to process and send the money back. This rule aims to stop delays that many students faced in the past when trying to get their fees back.
No Original Certificates to be Held
Another important part of the new UGC rules is about original certificates. Colleges and universities are strictly told not to keep any student's original documents during the admission process. For their records, colleges can only take copies of certificates that the student has signed themselves (self-attested copies).
This rule protects students. In the past, some colleges held onto original documents. This made it difficult for students to withdraw their admission and join another institute. This new guideline ensures students have full control over their important documents at all times.
Why These New Rules?
The UGC introduced these new rules because many students had complained. Students reported that colleges often did not refund fees or delayed the refund process for a long time. Some colleges also held onto original certificates, creating problems for students who wanted to change their minds or join another college.
These new guidelines are designed to make the admission and cancellation system fair, clear, and easy for students. The UGC wants to ensure that students do not suffer financially or face difficulties when making important decisions about their education. These steps aim to increase transparency and fairness in the higher education admission process.
Who Must Follow These Rules?
All higher education institutions in India must follow these new rules. This includes:
- All universities (both central and state)
- Colleges affiliated with universities
- Deemed universities (institutions given university status)
The UGC has warned that any institution found violating these guidelines may face strong action. This means colleges could lose their recognition or face other penalties from the Commission. This strong message from the UGC shows how serious they are about protecting student rights and ensuring fair practices across all higher education institutes.
Students and their parents should know about these new rules. This will help them understand their rights better during the college admission process for the 2025-26 academic year . The UGC aims to make sure that students can pursue their education choices without unnecessary stress or financial burden.
