The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a notice on 16th September, re-stating that ragging is a criminal offence, and structured several regulations to curb it out of the educational institutions. The notice mentioned,
“These regulations are mandatory and all institutions are required to take necessary steps for its implementation in toto.”
UGC mentioned that serious actions will be taken against any institute who fails to comply with the new framework of the regulations. The failure to take adequate and appropriate actions to restrict ragging or even punishing the perpetrators will cause the institute to receive punitive punishments from UGC.
Students can call on the National Anti-Ragging Helpline– 1800-180-5522, or email at helpline@antiragging.in. In cases of emergency UGC’s monitoring agency, Centre for Youth (C4Y) can also be contacted on 09818044577.
The UGC asked the institutions to set up anti-ragging mechanisms through:
- Sufficient publicity to create awareness, structuring the anti ragging committee and anti ragging squad via the use of various mediums.
- Setting-up of anti-ragging cells.
- Installing CCTV cameras at significant points.
- Conducting Anti-ragging workshops and seminars to inculcate awareness.
- Updating websites with nodal officers’ complete details.
- Display the email address and contact details of the nodal officer of the Anti-ragging committee on the website and on campus (Admission centre, departments, library, canteen, hostel, etc).
- Alarm bells.
- Regular counselling and interaction with the students.
- Identification of trouble-triggers.
Institutions were also asked to ensure that anti-ragging warnings are published in the brochures, E-prospectus, E-information booklets. Furthermore the institutions are advised to run surprise inspections on the hostels as well other places including bus stops and toilets. The institutions are ordered to make serious efforts regarding students’ declaration against ragging and several changes including online affidavits in place of online PDFs with the introduction of anti-ragging undertaking reference numbers. Alongside a poster of anti-ragging of 8’×6′ to be put up around the campus.
The regulations are available on the UGC website- ugc.ac.in and antiragging.in.
