UGC Makes Original Document Submission for Admission Non-mandatory

A notification released by the University Grants Commission (UGC) states that from the next academic year, students will not have to submit their original documents to the college or university for admissions. This will help lakhs of students who are not able to withdraw admission from the college for better options or due to other compulsions.

Also, the universities cannot make it compulsory for the students to purchase a college prospectus and will have to provide a full refund if the student cancels the admission within fifteen days.

Adding to this, the students can only be charged the fees in advance by the institute for the semester/year in which he/she engages in academic activities.

The notification released by UGC contains an elaborate set of rules for the institutions to put an end to 'coercive and profiteering' practices. The notification, called 'Remittance and Refund of Fees and other student-centric Issues,' said that taking certificates and testimonials into custody by the institutions in any situation is strictly prohibited as it is a coercive measure, which can be used against the students who wish to withdraw admission from the college for better opportunities or other reasons.

The officials from UGC said that a committee was also formed for this purpose since there were a lot of students and parents that complained regarding the non-refund of fees and retention of original certificates by higher educational institutes and other similar issues.

The rules will come into force immediately and will be applicable on all UG, PG and research programmes provided by all universities under UGC and all colleges affiliated to it.