To reinforce student safety and discipline in higher education institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued formal notices to 89 educational institutions across India for failing to comply with mandatory anti-ragging regulations. The list of defaulters includes some of India’s most prestigious institutions such as four Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), three Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The notices come under the ambit of the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009, which require every institution to submit a Compliance Undertaking confirming adherence to anti-ragging guidelines. In addition, all enrolled students must individually submit Anti-Ragging Undertakings as a preventive measure.
Despite repeated advisories, reminders, and follow-up calls from the UGC, these 89 institutions reportedly failed to furnish the mandatory documents. The lapse is being seen as a violation of the regulatory framework designed to create a safe and inclusive academic environment.
Among the 89 institutions served with notices by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for non-compliance with anti-ragging regulations are some of India’s most prestigious engineering, management, and higher education institutes. These include four Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)- IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Palakkad, and IIT Hyderabad. Additionally, three Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)- IIM Bombay, IIM Rohtak, and IIM Tiruchirappalli have also been named. The list further features other well-known institutions such as Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), AIIMS Raebareli, and the National Institutes of Design (NID) located in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana. The presence of top institutes in the list of defaulters has raised questions about how well anti-ragging rules are being followed and checked, even in leading colleges.
The UGC regulations are not just formalities; they are an integral part of a broader strategy to maintain student welfare, mental health, and campus harmony. Non-compliance with these rules not only violates the UGC’s legal framework but also compromises the safety of students in residential and academic environments.
Recent years have seen a renewed focus on the emotional and physical well-being of students, especially after several tragic incidents involving ragging-related harassment surfaced from campuses across the country. The UGC’s notice reminds all colleges and universities that they must follow anti-ragging rules by forming committees, conducting awareness programs, and strictly stopping ragging on campus.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned that if the 89 institutions do not respond to the notice or continue ignoring the anti-ragging rules, they may face strict actions. These can include cancellation of recognition, stopping of financial grants, or other penalties.
A senior UGC official expressed concern, saying it’s disappointing that top institutes are not following such basic safety rules. Ragging is a serious problem, and colleges must follow the rules to stop it. They should take quick action to correct their mistakes. The UGC also said that although many colleges are following the rules properly, there are still some that keep ignoring them. This shows the need for better checks, proper record-keeping, and more responsibility from institutions.
The UGC has asked all 89 institutions to send the required anti-ragging documents as soon as possible. It has also started working on better tracking methods using digital tools and plans to include anti-ragging compliance as part of the regular checks for colleges and universities.
