The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has procured refunds of Rs 1.56 crore for more than 600 students who had taken admission in national-level examination coaching institutes like UPSC, JEE Main, and GATE. The action was taken following complaints made by students against fee disputes with their coaching institutes.

Despite complying with the institutes’ terms and conditions, many students found themselves denied legitimate refunds, particularly in cases of delayed classes, cancelled courses, or unfulfilled services. The action by DoCA helped the students obtain compensation for these issues.

"The swift action by the Department has helped students receive compensation for unfulfilled services, late classes, or cancelled courses, ensuring they do not bear the financial burden of unfair business practices," reads the notification.

In addition to getting reimbursements, DoCA has directed all coaching facilities to create clear and effective refund policies and use student-friendly procedures. The department emphasised that the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) complaints were crucial to successfully resolving these problems.

DoCA has also issued a strong warning to coaching institutes not to reject genuine refund claims, emphasising that such actions will not be accepted. The department urged educational institutions to respect consumer rights and implement fair policies to safeguard students' financial interests.