The University Grants Commission (UGC) on October 03, 2022, issued a notification on Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions.
These regulations are mandatory for all higher educational institutions across the country.
As multiple mechanisms are required to ensure a ragging-free campus, here are some recommendations and action steps that are needed to be taken by your esteemed university and all institutions under your ambit.
A. Basic Measures:
1. Constitution of the anti-ragging committee, anti-ragging squad, setting up of Anti-Ragging Cell, and adequate publicity for these measures through various media.
2. A clear mention of an anti-ragging warning in the institution's prospectus and information booklets /brochures shall be ensured.
3. Preparation of e-admission booklet or brochure, e-leaflets of your institutions giving detailed guidance to admitted students in case of ragging, instead of print/hard copy.
4. Display banners/posters at conspicuous places on the campus to create awareness of anti-ragging measures amongst students.
5. Updation of websites of institutions with the complete address and contact details of nodal officers related to the anti-ragging committee.
6. An online undertaking in every academic year is to be submitted by each student and every parent, in compliance with the UGC Regulations and its 2 Amendment regarding submission of the undertaking.
7. UGC has notified 3 Amendment in UGC Regulations on 29 June 2016 to expand the definition of ragging by including the following
3 (i) Any act of physical or mental abuse (including bullying and exclusion) targeted at another student fresher or otherwise) on the ground of color race religion caste ethnicity gender (including transgender, sexual orientation appearance nationality, regional origins linguistic identity place of birth place of residence or economic background"
8. Installation of CCTV cameras at vital points
B. Counseling and monitoring measures
1 Regular interaction and counseling with the students to detect early signs of ragging and identification of trouble-triggers.
2 Surprise inspection at hostels, students' accommodation, canteens, rest-cum-recreation rooms, toilets, bus stands, and any other measure which would sugar well in preventing quelling ragging and any uncalled for behavior incident.
C. Creative Dissemination of the idea of a ragging-free campus
1. Events like Anti-Ragging workshops, seminars, and other creative avenues to spread the idea.
2. Safety and security apps can be creatively deployed without affecting individuals' privacy.
D. Using other UGC-initiated measures:
1. Students in distress due to ragging-related incidents can call the National Anti-Ragging Helpline at 1800-180-5522(24x7 Toll-Free) or e-mail the Anti-Ragging Helpline at [email protected].
2. For any other information regarding ragging, please visit the UGC website i.e. www.ugs.ac.in & www.antiragging in, and contact the UGC monitoring agency i.e. Centre for Youth on mobile No. 09818044577 (only in case of emergency).
3. UGC also drives an Anti-Ragging Media Campaign through different modes and has undertaken the following activities to promote anti-ragging which are available on the UGC website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in.
a. UGC has developed 05 TVCs of 30 seconds each from different perspectives i.e. Parents, Victims, and Offenders.
b. UGC has designed and distributed posters amongst Universities/Regulatory Authorities/Councils/IITs/NITs/Other educational institutions for prominent display.
c. UGC has consecutively organized 02 Anti-Ragging Competitions for students/faculty/general public for the broader awareness of the menace of ragging Any violation of UGC Regulations or failure of the institution to take adequate steps to prevent ragging in accordance with these Regulations or failure to punish perpetrators of incidents of ragging suitably, will attract punitive action under the UGC Act.
[Notification No.1-15/2021(ARC)]
