The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken a firm stance against institutions failing to adhere to the Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009. In a public notice dated January 23, 2025, the UGC has identified multiple medical colleges across India that have not complied with the mandatory requirement of obtaining anti-ragging undertakings from students and their parents/guardians.
Understanding the Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009
The Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009, were introduced to curb the menace of ragging in educational institutions. According to these regulations, all students and their parents/guardians must submit an anti-ragging undertaking at the time of admission and at the beginning of every academic year. This measure serves as a deterrent against ragging and ensures a safe and healthy learning environment.
Colleges Under Scrutiny
The UGC’s notice has been addressed to multiple institutions, including:
Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam
Guntur Medical College, Guntur
Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool
Osmania Medical College, Telangana
Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu
Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Uttar Pradesh
And several others across different states
Some of these institutions failed to obtain anti-ragging undertakings in 2024, while others have shown non-compliance over multiple years.
Implications of Non-Compliance
The failure to adhere to these regulations is a serious offense that endangers student safety and goes against the ethical responsibilities of educational institutions. UGC has issued a seven-day ultimatum for these colleges to provide a satisfactory explanation for their non-compliance and outline corrective measures. Institutions failing to do so risk facing severe penalties, including:
Reduction in student intake capacity
Withdrawal of recognition/accreditation
Financial penalties
Legal consequences for institutional authorities
The Importance of Strict Anti-Ragging Measures
Ragging is a harmful practice that can have severe psychological and physical consequences on students. UGC’s stringent enforcement of anti-ragging regulations ensures a safe and inclusive academic environment. Colleges must take proactive measures to:
Educate students about the repercussions of ragging
Ensure that all students and parents submit anti-ragging undertakings
Establish strict monitoring mechanisms and grievance redressal cells
Conclusion
The UGC’s latest action serves as a wake-up call for institutions that have been negligent in enforcing anti-ragging norms. Compliance with these regulations is not optional—it is a legal and moral obligation. Medical colleges and universities must treat this notice with utmost urgency and implement strict anti-ragging measures to safeguard students and uphold academic integrity. The coming days will be crucial in determining how these institutions respond to UGC’s directives and ensure a ragging-free educational environment.
