BENGALURU: From now on, higher education institutions in the country cannot insist that its students submit their original certificates and testimonials during admissions.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) took this decision following numerous complaints from students that they face too much trouble getting back their original certificates from the custody of the institutions.
The UGC has issued clear directives to the institutions to consider only ‘self-attested’ documents during admissions.
“No institution of higher education shall insist upon a student to submit the original academic and personal certificates and testimonials like marks sheets, school-leaving certificate and other such documents at the time of submitting the admission form. And the original certificates can be verified at any stage before finalisation of the admission,” it said.
The UGC also stated that in view of contexts that have dramatically changed in the subsequent decade and unremitting flow of complaints from students and parents on issues covered in the public notice, it felt that it is necessary to review its policy on this and other student-centric matters.
A committee constituted in this regard has formulated an elaborate notification on ‘Remittance and refund of fees and other student-centric Issues’ which was approved by the Commission in its 519th meeting held on November 15, it said.
Also, the UGC will take action against higher education institutions which harass or blackmail students by keeping their original documents. It can write to the accreditation agencies/authorities concerned to withdraw the accreditation or grading of such institutions.
Another issue highlighted by the UGC in the circular was remittance and refund of fees for students who wish to discontinue the course mid-way.
It has prepared a four-tier system for refund of fees remitted by students.
As per the system, if a student gives notice of withdrawal of admission to the institute 15 days before the formally notified last date of admission, then 100 per cent of the fee has to be refunded. In case the notice is issued after 15 days, 80 per cent fee should be refunded.
If it is more than 15 days but less than 30 days, 50 per cent fee should be refunded. If it is after 30 days, there will be no refund.