New Delhi: The educational institutes are being warned of punitive actions including withholding grants, being ineligible for consideration of any general and special programs of the commission, and withdrawal of affiliation, for violating the University Grants Commission’s guidelines/ notification. The commission repeatedly stated on Tuesday that it is mandatory for the institutions to adhere to the fee refund policy and non-retention of the original certificate which was notified on August 2, 2022.

READ | Nitin Gadkari asks IITians to focus their research on use of bio-technology

The Commission reportedly received references in the form of RTI applications/complaints/public grievances/court cases regarding non-refund fees by some universities/institutions violating the UGC guidelines/notifications.

Taking a serious view of such complaints, the Commission reiterated that the UGC letter dated August 2 this year is to be mandatorily adhered to in letter and spirit.

READ | University of Delhi should include Sardar Patel’s work in research: Dharmendra Pradhan

"Any institution/ university found to be violating the guidelines and refusing to refund the fee by giving its interpretation of the Guidelines / Notifications shall be liable for punitive actions as notified in clause 5 of the UGC Notification regarding the refund of fees and non-retention of original certificate Issued in October 2018...," the UGC said.