AICTE Revises Last Dates for PGDM Admission and Cancellation with Full Fee Refund: Read Key Changes and Impact – MBAUniverse.com

What is AICTE Fee Refund Policy?
Before we discuss the revised academic calendar for PGDM institutions, it is important to understand AICTE Fee Refund Policy. The AICTE Fee Refund Policy allows a full fee refund (minus ₹1,000) if a student withdraws before the PGDM course start date – which is given by AICTE. If withdrawal happens after classes begin, the refund depends on whether the seat is filled. However, institutions must complete the fees refund within 7 days. Excerpts from the Clause 6.45 of Chapter VI of the AICTE’s Approval Process Handbook (2024-27) states the AICTE Fee Refund Policy as follow: 

Scenario 1: Student Withdraws Admission Before Start of PGDM Course
If the student withdraws admission before start of PGDM Course, then the institute has to give a full fee refund to students. The AICTE handbook states: “In the event of a student withdrawing before the start of the Course, the entire Fee collected from the student, after a deduction of the processing Fee of not more than Rs. 1000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) shall be refunded by the Institution. It would not be permissible for Institutions to retain the School/ Institution Leaving Certificates in original.”

Scenario 2: Student Withdraws Admission After Start of PGDM Course and Seat is Filled 
If the student withdraws admission after the start of PGDM Course, and the seat is filled up by the institution, then the institute has to give a fee refund to students after deduction of monthly fees and hostel changes. The AICTE handbook states: “In case, if a student leaves after joining the Course and if the vacated seat is consequently filled by another student by the last date of admission, the Institution must refund the Fee collected after a deduction of the processing Fee of not more than Rs. 1000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) and proportionate deductions of monthly Fee and hostel rent, where applicable.”

Scenario 3: Student Withdraws Admission After Start of PGDM Course and Seat is Not Filled 
If the student withdraws admission after the start of PGDM Course, and the seat is not filled up, then the institute has to return the security deposit and documents to students. The AICTE handbook states: “In case the vacated seat is not filled, the Institution should refund the Security Deposit and return the original documents. The Institution should not demand Fee for the subsequent years from the students cancelling their admission at any point of time.” 

Last date for Withdrawal of PGDM Admission for Refund of Fee
ACITE handbook and notifications releases the official start date of PGDM program, before which the students can take withdraw. “The last date for withdrawal of PGDM admission for the purpose of refund of fee shall be as per the last date mentioned in the Academic Calendar,” says the AICTE handbook. It further adds: “Fee refund along with the return of Certificates should be completed within 7 days.”

Old Timelines for PGDM Admission – A Legacy of Covid-19 
While the regular admission cycle of IIMs and other top PGDM B-school was to start session by middle of June or early July, during COVID, AICTE and UGC had decided to relax the last date of admission withdrawal from mid-July to mid-September. While COVID-19 ended in 2022, still the same rules continued for many years. The earlier guidelines required PGDM institutions to refund fee for student admission cancellations till September 11, 2024. Check details in table 1 below:  

Table 1: Old PGDM Admission 2024 and Fee Refund Callender by AICTE 

New Timelines for PGDM Admission 2025 
Setting right the timelines, AICTE has released new ‘Academic Calendar 2025-26’ that streamlines the PGDM admissions with those of IIMs, which has been the demand of the B-schools. As per the new guidelines, the last date for cancellation of admission and full fees refund for courses in PGDM/PGCM Institutions has been preponed to July 31, 2025. Check revised dates in table 2 below. 

Table 2: New PGDM Admission 2025 and Fee Refund Callender by AICTE

 AICTE Fee Refund Policy 2025: Impact on Admissions
So, what is the expected impact of changes in AICTE Fee Refund Policy on MBA Admissions 2025? As the policy gets implemented, it will have following impact: 

a) PGDM admission process streamlined with IIMs: The revised timeline aligns the PGDM admission cycle with that of 21 IIMs and other top universities like IIFT and NMIMS, bringing greater uniformity to MBA admissions in India. It eliminates extended admission windows, allowing institutes to finalize their batches earlier.

b) Early start to academic year 2025: With admissions closing by July 31, classes can begin by August 1, leading to a more structured academic calendar. This shift reduces disruptions caused by late joiners and supports better academic planning.

c) Fee refund deadline rationalized: The last date for withdrawal with a full fee refund moves from mid-September to July 31. This change minimizes academic loss from late dropouts and helps institutions manage resources more efficiently.

PGDM Business Schools Submit Representation to AICTE in February 2025 
Earlier, on behalf of PGDM B-Schools, Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI) had submitted a request to the AICTE on February 6, 2025, requesting for changes in the current calendar and policy for PGDM institutions. Dr Harivansh Chaturvedi, Alternate President, EPSI & Director General, IILM Delhi had told MBAUniverse.com, “EPSI has represented to the AICTE that rules regarding the refund of fees are hurting the smooth running of academic session.” Shri Shreevats Jaipuria, Vice Chairman, Jaipuria Institute of Management, who co-drafted the EPSI representation, told MBAUniverse.com: “Classes in PGDM institutions generally commence from the 2nd/3rd week of July. The current deadline for withdrawal and admission of students is mid-September. However, institutions are not able to give admissions to deserving students against the withdrawals that happen in August/September.” Dr Ajit Parulekar, Director, GIM Goa had said, “AICTE Calendar is promoting mediocrity as well as inefficiency. In most good B-schools, the academic year commences in early July. Now, if students are allowed to withdraw with a full refund in early September, they have completed an entire trimester without paying anything!” 

The AICTE’s decision to advance the deadline for PGDM admission cancellations is a welcome step toward aligning the MBA and PGDM education calendar. By reducing the refund window to July 31 and starting the academic year on August 1, this progressive step by AICTE will ensure smoother admissions, better academic discipline, and improved program delivery.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for further updates on AICTE Fee Refund Policy 2025 and other important developments in management education.