The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has successfully intervened at a pre-litigation stage to ensure justice for students and aspirants who enrolled for the UPSC Civil Services, IIT and other entrance examinations.
In its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring transparency in the education sector, the government has facilitated a refund of more than one crore rupees to students who enrolled for the UPSC Civil Services, IIT, and other entrance examinations at various coaching institutes across the country.
Over 656 students claimed refunds from coaching centres and private institutions by registering their grievances on the National Consumer Helpline-1915.
Secretary of Department of Consumer Affairs Nidhi Khare said that the government is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of consumers, especially students who invest their precious time and resources in pursuing their dreams.
She added that this action reaffirms the government’s commitment to ensure that coaching institutions adhere to fair practices and honour the rights of consumers.
The total number of grievances registered by the students in the year 2021-2022 is 4,815 followed by the year 2022-2023 having 5,351 and 2023-2024 are 16,276. This increase reflects the growing confidence and trust of students in NCH as an effective grievance redressal mechanism before opting to knock at the door of Consumer Commissions.
In 2024, 6980 students have already reached out to NCH for speedy redressal of their grievances at a pre-litigation stage.
Following numerous complaints registered in the NCH regarding unfair practices by various coaching centres especially not refunding the enrolment fees of the students/ aspirants, NCH initiated a drive to resolve these grievances on a mission-mode to facilitate a total refund of Rs 1 crore to affected students from the total demanded refund of Rs 2.39 crore till date.
This decisive action comes after the NCH received multiple grievances from students who had enrolled in UPSC Civil Services, IIT and other coaching programs but faced issues such as unfulfilled promises, inadequate teaching quality, and abrupt cancellations of courses.
Data reveals that during a short span of 12 months i.e. 2023-2024 – 16,276 numbers of students reached out to NCH, once their requests were declined/ rejected/ not specifically redressed to their satisfaction by coaching centres. The analysis of data repository also revealed/highlighted an increasing trend in the numbers of dissatisfied students/consumers lodging complaints at NCH.