The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mainpuri, has held the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, liable for “deficiency in service” for failing to issue a B.Sc. degree to a student who graduated in 2010. The Commission, presided over by President Shri Shashi Bhushan Pandey and Member Smt. Nitika Das, directed the university to issue the degree within two months and pay a total of ₹46,000 in compensation and costs to the complainant.
The judgment, dated July 16, 2025, was delivered in a complaint filed by an advocate who had been waiting for her degree for over a decade after completing her studies and for more than two years after formally applying and paying the requisite fee.
Background of the Case
The complaint was filed by Shweta Mishra, an advocate, against the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra. Ms. Mishra stated that she had successfully completed her B.Sc. course in 2010 from Baburam Yadav P.G. College, Karhal, which is affiliated with the university.
On January 1, 2022, she formally applied online for her degree certificate, paying the required fee of ₹500 via an online transaction. Despite the payment and her application being processed, the university failed to issue the degree. Ms. Mishra informed the Commission that she had contacted the university on multiple occasions, where she was assured that the degree would be sent to her residential address, but it never arrived.
Frustrated by the lack of response, she filed a formal grievance on December 27, 2022. When this also yielded no result, she sent a legal notice to the university through her counsel on June 6, 2024, which went unanswered. This compelled her to file a consumer complaint, seeking compensation of ₹2,00,000 for the delay, ₹20,000 for mental anguish, ₹5,000 for contractual loss, and ₹30,000 for legal expenses.
Arguments of the Parties
The complainant, represented by Advocate Shri Narendra Singh Kashyap, argued that the university’s failure to provide the degree despite the student fulfilling all requirements amounted to gross negligence and a severe deficiency in service. The counsel submitted that this inaction caused significant mental distress to the complainant and hindered her professional life. The complainant submitted her mark sheet, the online degree application form, the fee receipt, the grievance letter, and the legal notice as evidence.
The opposite party, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, did not appear before the Commission despite the notice being served. The Commission noted that service was deemed sufficient on October 16, 2024, and after continued absence, the proceedings were moved ex-parte against the university on November 30, 2024. As a result, the university presented no defense or arguments.
Commission’s Analysis
The Commission proceeded with the case based on the evidence submitted by the complainant. It examined the B.Sc. mark sheet, which confirmed that Ms. Mishra had passed her examination in the second division in 2010. The documentary evidence, including the application form and fee receipt, proved that she had formally requested the degree on January 1, 2022.
The Commission observed that the university’s failure to contest the case led to a presumption in favor of the complainant. It stated, “It will certainly be presumed that the complainant’s case is correct”.
In its analysis, the Commission distinguished the facts of the present matter from a legal precedent involving misrepresentation by an educational institution. It noted that while the current case did not involve misrepresentation, “it is certain that the opposite party has committed a deficiency in service.”
The Commission found a clear case of service deficiency, observing, “After passing the B.Sc. examination in 2010 and after submitting the application on the proforma and depositing the requisite fee, it is the complainant’s right to be given the degree, which was not given…”. It further noted the consequence of this failure, stating, “Certainly, due to the non-receipt of the degree, the complainant has suffered mental anguish and by not receiving the degree, the complainant has been deprived of one of her important rights”. Based on these facts, the Commission concluded that the university’s liability was clearly established.
The Final Order
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission allowed the complaint and issued the following directives to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra:
- Issuance of Degree: The university is ordered to provide the complainant with her B.Sc. degree within two months from the date of the order.
- Compensation: The university must pay ₹40,000 to the complainant as compensation for the mental and physical anguish caused by the delay. This amount is to be deposited in the Commission’s account within two months.
- Litigation Costs: The university is directed to pay an additional ₹6,000 for notice and litigation costs, also to be deposited within two months.
- Contractual Loss: The complainant’s prayer for a separate amount of ₹5,000 for “contractual loss” was rejected, with the Commission clarifying that this aspect was already covered under the “deficiency in service” for which compensation was being awarded.
The complainant was also directed to provide a certified copy of the order to the university within one month to ensure compliance.
