Telangana consumer forum orders Byju’s to refund ₹71,000 for failing to conduct classes

Hyderabad: The Rangareddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered ed-tech major Byju’s to pay ₹71,000 in compensation to a student’s family, citing deficiency in service and failure to conduct promised online classes. The forum directed the platform to refund the initial fee of ₹56,000 along with 9 per cent interest and additional compensation within 45 days.

The ruling follows a complaint filed by a parent who had enrolled her son, Samarth, in a three-year foundation course for Classes 8, 9, and 10 on October 19, 2023. The total fee for the programme was fixed at ₹1.55 lakh, of which the complainant paid an initial amount of ₹56,000 via credit card, with the remaining balance scheduled for payment through Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).

According to the complainant, despite the substantial upfront payment, the classes did not commence for weeks. She alleged that repeated phone calls and emails to the company went unanswered, and course details were only shared on November 25, more than a month after enrolment. Furthermore, the parent claimed that Byju’s played recorded content while claiming to offer live interactive classes.

The complaint also highlighted other operational failures, including a significant delay in the delivery of the learning tablet included in the package and the company’s failure to revise the EMI tenure to 24 months as promised during the sales pitch. Frustrated by the lack of response and the disparity between the promised and actual services, the family approached the Consumer Commission. After reviewing the evidence, the panel ruled in favour of the student, holding the company liable for the service lapses.