The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive urging higher educational institutions (HEIs) to intensify anti-ragging measures on their campuses. Highlighting that ragging is a criminal act, UGC emphasised the importance of adhering to its regulations designed to prevent, curb, and eliminate ragging. The commission warned that any violation of these guidelines would result in strict action against the institutions involved. Failure to implement adequate anti-ragging measures or punish offenders appropriately may invite punitive consequences from UGC.
The detailed information about the details are available at the official UGC website www.ugc.gov.in. You can also directly check the notice following this link.
The official notification states, “You are requested to step up anti-ragging mechanism by way of adequate publicity through various mediums; constitution of Anti-Ragging committee and Anti-Ragging squad, setting up of Anti-Ragging Cell, installing CCTV cameras at vital points, Anti-Ragging workshops and seminar, updating all websites with nodal officers’ complete details, alarm bells etc. Regular interaction and counseling with the students, identification of trouble-triggers and mention of Anti-Ragging warning in the institution’s E-prospectus and E-information booklets/brochures must be ensured.”
Further the notification added, “Surprise inspection of hostels, students’ accommodation, canteens, rest cum recreational rooms, toilets, bus-stands must be carried out and Anti-Ragging posters must be displayed at all prominent places.”
Students facing ragging incidents can contact the National Anti-Ragging Helpline at 1800-180-5522 (toll-free, available 24/7) or email helpline@antiragging.in.
The official Anti-Ragging notice also mentioned the below points, instructing institutions to follow them:
- The concept of mentor-mentee as given out in the UGC Regulations for curbing the Menace of Ragging in HEls – 2009 be followed by students in all institutions to make a comfortable bond amongst Juniors and Seniors.
- The Anti Ragging Cell and Anti Ragging Squads of institutions should be empowered by provisioning of a legal counsel so that airtight cases against the ragging culprits can be made.
- Henceforth for extreme ragging and suicide cases, Principal of the college and Registrar of the University will be called and will be answerable to the National Anti-Ragging Monitoring Committee for the reasons of non-compliance of UGC Regulations for ragging.
- All the Councils/Regulatory Bodies must constitute a committee as and when a serious/suicide/death case is reported related to their Council/Regulatory Body to relook into the issue even when case is under police investigation. The Regulatory Bodies/Councils are also advised to appoint a legal person for the matter.
- The Committee has also instructed the Anti Ragging Monitoring Agency to be more vigilant and carry out surprise checks all across the nation to ensure that the UGC Regulations to curb the menace of ragging are being strictly adhered to by the HEl’s, Teaching Staff and the students. Punitive action as mentioned in these regulations will be taken against the defaulters.