The University Grants Commission (UGC) has called on universities and higher education institutions across India to reinforce anti-ragging measures ahead of the 2025-26 academic session. In a letter dated May 27, 2025, UGC Secretary Prof. Manish R. Joshi stressed the importance of a safe and supportive learning environment, reaffirming the commission’s unwavering commitment to eradicating ragging from educational campuses.
This directive follows the UGC’s 2024 notification, which introduced stricter anti-ragging policies, including the Mentor-Mentee system, the appointment of legal counsel for ragging-related cases, and mandatory surprise inspections. Building on these efforts, the UGC is now taking further steps to ensure these measures are effectively implemented.
Key Steps to Strengthen Anti-Ragging Compliance
In his letter, Prof. Joshi outlined three key actions for universities and regulatory bodies to follow:
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Submission of Compliance Reports: Institutions must submit detailed compliance reports by June 1, 2025, to the designated email address. These reports should highlight steps taken to prevent ragging, including awareness programs, student engagement activities, and disciplinary actions. The UGC aims to assess the actual status on campuses and identify any gaps in current practices.
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Enhanced Monitoring and Inspections: The UGC has emphasized the need for more rigorous monitoring, including surprise inspections by Regulatory Councils and Monitoring Agencies. This will ensure that anti-ragging policies are being enforced effectively. Additionally, the UGC has instructed the Anti-Ragging Monitoring Agency to conduct nationwide surprise checks, following a similar directive issued in January 2025.
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Inter-Council Collaboration: To promote a unified approach to anti-ragging, the UGC is encouraging coordination between various regulatory bodies such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Indian Nursing Council (INC). A meeting to further discuss these measures will be announced soon.
The UGC’s continued efforts are in line with its 2009 regulations, which mandated the Mentor-Mentee system to build better relationships between senior and junior students. The commission also reaffirms that ragging remains a criminal offense, and strict action will be taken against violators, especially in severe cases.
A Commitment to Student Safety
With these strengthened measures, the UGC aims to make campuses safer, ensuring that every student feels protected and supported throughout their academic journey. The move reflects the commission’s commitment to creating an environment free from harassment and violence.
