UGC issues show-cause notices to 89 institutions, including IITs and IIMs, for violating anti-ragging norms and failing to submit required undertakings.
In a startling development that raises serious questions about campus safety, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has named 89 higher education institutions across India for failing to comply with anti-ragging regulations. The list includes some of the nation’s most prestigious institutes, including four IITs and three IIMs, all of which have received show-cause notices from the commission.
According to UGC Secretary Manish Joshi, despite repeated advisories, helpline follow-ups, and direct intervention by the Anti-Ragging Monitoring Agency, these institutions failed to submit the mandatory anti-ragging undertakings required from both students and institutions under the UGC Regulation on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.
Big Names on the List
Among the most prominent names on the defaulter list are:
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Hyderabad
- IIT Palakkad
And from the management sector:
- IIM Rohtak
- IIM Tiruchirappalli
- IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE Mumbai)
The inclusion of these Institutes of National Importance has sent shockwaves through the academic community, which is grappling with the paradox of high-ranking institutions faltering on basic compliance related to student safety.
“This is not just a clerical issue—it’s about accountability and student welfare,” said an education policy analyst familiar with the matter. “When top-tier institutions ignore these regulations, it sets a worrying precedent.”
Other notable institutions listed include AIIMS Raebareli, National Institutes of Design (NID) in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana, the Indian Statistical Institute (Kolkata), Nalanda University, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), IGNOU, and NIPER Hyderabad.
What’s at Stake
The consequences for non-compliance are not merely symbolic. In the show-cause notices issued, the UGC has warned that institutions that fail to comply within 30 days could face severe penalties. These include:
- Withdrawal of UGC grants and financial aid
- Suspension of research funding
- De-recognition or revocation of university affiliations
“Noncompliance jeopardizes not only institutional integrity but also student safety,” said UGC Secretary Manish Joshi in a formal statement. “It is particularly concerning in the current climate where instances of ragging and related distress continue to surface across campuses.”
What the Law Requires
Under the 2009 anti-ragging regulations, all students must submit a signed undertaking, jointly with their parents or guardians, affirming their understanding and commitment to maintaining a ragging-free environment. Institutions are also required to file their compliance reports and promote awareness through orientation sessions, posters, and campus-wide campaigns.
The anti-ragging undertaking process is now fully digitized and must be completed at the time of admission and renewed at the start of every academic year. Failure to do so indicates either neglect or administrative oversight—both unacceptable in institutions housing thousands of students.
Growing Concerns About Campus Climate
This development comes amid rising concerns about mental health and emotional safety on Indian campuses. While many colleges have improved counseling infrastructure, student complaints about bullying, ragging, and hostile environments persist.
“Ragging is not just about physical harm,” said Dr. Meera Raj, a psychologist specializing in youth behavior. “It creates long-term psychological trauma and erodes a student’s sense of belonging. That’s why prevention through compliance and awareness is so crucial.”
UGC’s Final Warning
The UGC has given all 89 institutions a 30-day window to explain their failure and to comply with regulations. Institutions that do not respond or take corrective measures may find their reputations tarnished and funding frozen.
As the deadline looms, it remains to be seen whether these institutions will act quickly or risk facing serious institutional setbacks.
“The rules exist for a reason,” Joshi added. “This is about ensuring a safe, inclusive environment where every student can thrive without fear.”
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