Context: The Supreme Court has allowed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to notify its 2025 Regulations aimed at promoting equity in higher education, while keeping the door open for improvements based on expert recommendations from the Task Force.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to UGC Draft Regulations 2025.
Background:
- Caste-based discrimination in higher education: Tragic suicides of Rohith Vemula (2016) and Payal Tadvi (2019), both from marginalised communities, highlighted systemic issues of caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions (HEIs). In 2019, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) sought mechanisms to prevent such discrimination.
- Justice S. Ravindra Bhat Task Force (2025): In response, the Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force chaired by former Justice S. Ravindra Bhat to examine student suicides and mental health concerns in higher education institutions.
- The petitioners requested the Court to hold off notifying the new University Grants Commission Regulations of 2025, until the National Task Force gave its full report on mental health, student suicides, and discrimination in colleges and universities.
- However, the SC has allowed the regulations to be notified while ensuring that the Task Force’s work would continue and its recommendations could still be incorporated into the regulations later.
Caste-based discrimination in India’s Educational institutions:
- Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) Youth Survey found that 1 in 4 Dalit students in colleges reported being discriminated against by teachers.
- Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) Findings reported that over 65% of Dalit students experience caste-based discrimination in classrooms.
According to India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22:
- Low enrollment rates: SC and ST students still have lower enrolment rates in higher education: (SC - 14.2% of total enrolment and ST - 5.8%).
- Higher dropout rates: Dropout rates are higher among SC/ST students, often attributed to hostile campus environments and caste-based microaggressions.
University Grants Commission Regulations of 2025
The draft regulations deal with ragging, sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of caste, gender, disability, among other biases in institutions of higher learning.
Key Provisions:
- Enhanced authority of UGC: The regulations give the UGC the authority to derecognise (disqualify) any institution that does not follow the anti-discrimination rules or is found guilty of mistreatment.
- Clear responsibility: Institutions must take responsibility for protecting students from any form of discrimination, including on the basis of caste, religion, or mental health issues.
- Preventive measures: Colleges and universities are expected to set up mechanisms (like anti-discrimination cells or support groups) to handle complaints and provide a safe environment.
- Equal Opportunity Centres: Mandatory establishment of EOCs in all higher education institutions to oversee equity initiatives and address grievances.
- Monitoring and Accountability: Institutions will be required to report cases and submit regular updates to the UGC about the actions taken against discrimination.
- False complaints: The regulations also address false complaints, potentially leading to fines or disciplinary action for those found to have made such complaints.
- Counseling: Provision of mental health support and counseling services to students to address psychological well-being.