IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19-01-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Miss.Divya Dharshini, Daughter of Mr.S.Dharmaraj, No.3/7, Muthamizh Nagar, South Tank Street, Kadaperi, Tambaram, … Petitioner Chennai-600 045.

Vs

1. The Chairman University Grants Commission, Bahadursha Zalar Marg, New Delhi.-110 002. 2.The Secretary, University Grants Commission, Bahadursha Zafar Marg, New Delhi, -110 002.

3.The Secretary (Department of Higher Education)

Ministry of Education 127-C, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

4.The Principal Rajalakshmi Institute Of Technology, Kuthambakkam Post Chembarambakkam, … Respondents Tamilnadu-600 124 Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1^st and 3^rd Respondents to take immediate action against the 4^th Respondent for its non-compliance with the UGC Fee Refund Policy for the academic year 2025-2026 and to further direct the 1^st to 3^rd Respondents to ensure that the 4^th Respondent refunds a sum of Rs.1,00,000/-

(Rupees One Lakh only) to the petitioner, in accordance with the UGC Fee Refund Policy for the academic year 2025-2026.

For Petitioner: M/s.K.Harini For Respondents: Mr.A.Muraleedharan, for R4 M/s.V.Sudha, Sr.Standing Counsel, for R1 & R2 No appearance, for R3

O R D E R

The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the respondents 1^st to

3^rd respondents to take immediate action against the 4^th respondent for its non- compliance with the UGC Fee Refund Policy for the academic year 2025-2026 and to further direct the respondents 1^st to 3^rd to ensure that the 4^th respondent refunds a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- to the petitioner in accordance with the UGC Fee Refund Policy for the academic year 2025-2026.

2. Upon hearing the Learned Counsel for the petitioner and perusing the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, the grievance of the petitioner is that she applied for admission to the undergraduate programme in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the 4^th respondent institution for the academic year 2025 – 2026. She submitted her application under the Management Quota prior to the commencement of counseling and, at the time of provisional admission, a sum of Rs.1,00,000/-, which included Rs.85,000/- towards tuition fee and Rs.15,000/- towards amenities and utilities fees was paid. However, due to unforeseen financial constraints, the petitioner decided not to pursue the said course and instead chose to join some other course which will fit her financial status. Under these circumstances, the petitioner’s mother contacted the helpdesk on 01.07.2025 itself seeking for a refund and thereafter a written representation was also submitted on 28.08.2025. However, there is no positive response and under the circumstances, the petitioner is before this Court.

3. During the course of the hearing, the Learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the University Grants Commission produced a communication dated 12.06.2024, which contains the Fee Refund Policy for the academic year 2024- 2025. As per the said policy, if the notice of withdrawal of admission is 15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission then the candidate is entitled for 100% refund. In this case, it is averred by the petitioner that the last date of counseling was in the month of August 2025, whereas in paragraph No.5 of the Writ Petition, it is submitted that the written request was also given at the admission of his helpdesk even as on 01.07.2025. Therefore, it is clear that the petitioner will be entitled for 100% refund of the fee of Rs.1,00,000/- paid by her.

4. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms: The 4^th respondent/Principal, Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology, Chembarambakkam, Tamil Nadu, is directed to refund the fee of Rs.1,00,000/- to the petitioner within a period of six weeks, from the date of receipt of web copy of this order, without waiting for the certified