The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a reminder regarding the regulations aimed at combating ragging in higher education institutions.
“It is once again brought to your kind notice that ragging is a criminal offence and UGC has framed regulations on curbing the menace of ragging in higher educational institutions in order to prohibit, prevent and eliminate the scourge of ragging,” UGC stated in a notice.
UGC has asked all institutions to take necessary steps for its implementation in including the monitoring mechanism. The Commission also notified that if any institution fails to take adequate steps to prevent ragging or does not act in accordance with these regulations or fails to punish perpetrators of incidents of ragging suitably, it will attract punitive action against itself by the UGC.
UGC has also advised institutes to strengthen anti-ragging mechanisms through adequate publicity through various mediums, such as the formation of an anti-ragging committee and an anti-ragging squad, the establishment of an anti-ragging cell, the installation of CCTV cameras at critical points, anti-ragging workshops and seminars, the updating of all websites with complete details of nodal officers, alarm bells, and so on. Regular interaction and counselling with students, the identification of trouble-triggers, and the inclusion of anti-ragging warnings in the institution's E-prospectus and E-information booklets/brochures are all required. Surprising inspections of hostels, student housing, canteens, rest and recreation rooms, toilets, and bus stops are required.
It has also been mandated to post anti-ragging posters in prominent locations such as admissions offices, departments, libraries, canteens, hostels, and common areas.
