Discrimination Against Students in Colleges to Have Consequences, UGC Takes Strict Measures
New Delhi, 27th February 2025: The University Grants Commission (UGC), following a case of discrimination against Nepali students in Odisha, has introduced strict measures to stop discrimination against students based on caste, language, gender, region, religion, etc. Incidents of discrimination will now cost higher educational institutions heavily.
Institutions failing to comply can be banned from conducting degree programmes, financial aid, and UGC schemes, etc. In the draft issued by the UGC to stop discrimination against students, all higher educational institutions across the country will have to establish an equal opportunity centre. The institution’s head will serve as the chairperson of the center.
Along with this centre, the committee will include:
Four senior professors
Two civil society representatives
Two student representatives
One woman member
One SC and one ST representative
What will the committee do?
To ensure fairness and inclusivity, the Equal Opportunity Committee will work through the Equal Opportunity Center (EOC) within educational institutions. Along with this, every higher education institute will also have to form an equality squad that will actively patrol the the institute to keep an eye on any kind of discrimination against students.
Emphasis on promoting equality among students
UGC has asked students, parents and institutions to give their opinion on the draft. According to the draft, to maintain equality among students, an equality ambassador will be deployed in every unit, department, hostel and library, etc, of the institute to continuously promote equality and inclusivity among students.
Complaint and Resolution Process
Students will also be able to register their complaint with the equality squad on any kind of discrimination incident. After investigating, the squad will give its report to the committee associated with the Equal Opportunity Center. The committee will take action on it according to the rules and regulations.
Students will also be able to go to the Lokpal
Along with this, the complainant student will be informed about that action. If the student is not satisfied with the action, he can take it to the Lokpal appointed in the institute. Not only this, if the complaint is found to be false, a fine or punitive action will be taken against the students.
