NEW UGC RULES TO CURB CASTE-BASED DISCRIMINATION

NEWS: The University Grant Commission (UGC) has announced new rules to curb caste-based discrimination faced by reserved category students on college campuses. The higher education institutions (HEIs) to form a campus committee to address complaints and issues related to caste-based discrimination and ensure equity across the institution

Equal Opportunity Centre

• All HEIs are mandated to set up an Equal Opportunity Centre (EOC) which will address discrimination-related issues on campus
• Work towards inclusion and support for disadvantaged groups in colleges and universities.
• Coordinates with civil society groups, local media, police, district administration, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Equity

• “Caste-based discrimination” has been defined as as discrimination “only on the basis of caste or tribe” against members of the SCs, STs, and OBCs.
• ‘Equity’ has been defined as providing a level-playing field for all stakeholders in terms of rights and opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITY

• Equity Squads: The responsibility of monitoring vulnerable spaces on campus
• Equity Ambassador: Will act as points of contact in hostels, departments, and libraries.
• HEIs: Preventive and protective measures, including setting up of helplines numbers, monitoring systems, and regularly reporting to the UGC.
• HEIs that do not comply with the new guidelines could be penalised heavily

NEED FOR NEW RULES

• Complaints of caste-based discrimination increased 4 per cent in five years, from 173 cases in 2019–20 to 378 in 2023-24.
• A total of 1,160 complaints were received from 704 universities and 1,553 colleges during this period.