V.Soundarajan v. The Chairman
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 11.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN V.Soundararajan .....
Petitioner Vs
1. The Chairman, University Grands Commission, Bhadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
2. The Registrar, Anna University, No.12, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai - 600 025.
3. The Director of Technical Education, No.53, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
4. The Chairman, P.B.College of Engineering, Irungatukoti, Sriperumpudur, Chennai - 602 117.
.....
Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the fourth respondent college to refund the course fee for the second year B.E. (Aeronautical Engineering)
paid on 22.04.2024 by the petitioner.
For Petitioner : Mr.K.P.Satish Kumar For R1 : Mrs.V.Sudha Central Government Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.U.Baranidharan Standing Counsel For R3 : Mr.S.Arumugam Government Advocate
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the fourth respondent College to refund the course fees for the second year B.E (Aeronautical Engineering) to the petitioner.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
3. The petitioner had completed his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and joined the fourth respondent College in the second year B.E (Aeronautical Engineering) on 28.08.2024. However, the petitioner attended the fourth respondent College only for one day. He had also paid a sum of Rs.80,000/- towards the B.E.Course under the Management Quota. While attending the college, the petitioner found that the college did not have the requisite infra-structure or qualified faculty to teach the Aeronautical course. Therefore, the petitioner discontinued his studies in the fourth respondent
College on the very next day and sought refund of fees paid as well as the return of his educational certificates submitted at the time of admission.
4. Thereafter, the petitioner got admission in Jaya Engineering College and he is pursuing his engineering degree. As per the guidelines of the University Grands Commission, the fees are to be refunded in accordance with the resolution passed in the 580th Meeting held on 15.05.2024. The relevant portion of the resolution reads as follows :
"a. Notwithstanding anything contained in any guidelines/prospectus/notification schedule, a full refund of fees shall be made by the HEIs on account of all cancellations of admission/migrations of students up to 30 September 2024 and with a deduction of not more than Rs.1,000/- as a processing fee, up to 31 October 2024.
b. It shall apply to all higher education institutions, whether established or incorporated by or under a Central Act or a State Act, and every institution recognized by the University Grands Commission under clause (f) of Section 2 of the University Grands Commission Act, 1956 and to all institutions deemed to be a University declared as such under Section 3 therein and to all higher education institutions affiliated to a University.
c. These guidelines would also be applicable to organizations, consortiums, committees, associations, etc.,
constituted for the purpose of conducting counselling or processing admissions and collecting fees on behalf of participating HEIs, and the HEI concerned will be responsible for refund fees.
d. For any admission schedule extending/ commencing beyond/after 31 October 2024, the provisions contained in the UGC Notification issued in October 2018 on Reund of Fees and Non-Retention of Original Certificates shall apply (Reproduced below for ready reference) Category Percentage of Refund of fees Point of time when notice of withdrawal of admission is received in the HEI (1) 100% 15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission (2) 90% Less than 15 days before the formally notified last date of admission (3) 80% 15 days or less after the formally notified last date of admission (4) 50% 30 days or less, but more than 15 days after formally notified last date of admission (5) 00% More than 30 days after formally notified last date of admission
5. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to 100% refund of fees paid to the fourth respondent College.
6. In view of the above, the fourth respondent is directed to refund the fees paid by the petitioner towards the second year B.E. (Aeronautical Engineering) Course, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
11.09.2025 Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Lpp To
1. The Chairman, University Grands Commission, Bhadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
2. The Registrar, Anna University, No.12, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai - 600 025.
3. The Director of Technical Education, No.53, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
4. The Chairman, P.B.College of Engineering, Irungatukoti, Sriperumpudur, Chennai - 602 117. G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, Lpp
11.09.2025