SC clears UGC to notify 2025 rules on ragging, harassment and discrimination

The Supreme Court on April 24 gave the green light to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to officially notify its 2025 draft regulations, which aim to address issues such as ragging, sexual harassment, and discrimination in higher education institutions.

These rules also focus on promoting inclusion and safeguarding students against caste, gender, and disability-based bias.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the decision while considering a March 24 judgment that highlighted student suicides and called for urgent mental health reforms in educational institutions.

That earlier verdict had led to the formation of a national task force (NTF) to address these challenges.

“In light of this, we deem it appropriate to clarify that UGC may proceed with the finalization of the draft regulations 2025 and may notify the same,” the bench said.

The court clarified that the new rules would function in addition to the NTF’s work.

The bench was responding to a public interest litigation that requested the court to delay the regulations until the NTF’s recommendations were reviewed.

It suggested that concerned individuals should still be allowed to submit feedback or propose changes to the UGC once the draft is notified.

The court agreed, noting that such suggestions “will be considered.”

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing the mothers of students Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi—both of whom allegedly died by suicide after facing caste-based discrimination—criticized the draft for merging previous standalone guidelines on ragging, harassment, and discrimination.

“All those have been done away with in the proposed new regulations,” she said, expressing concern over the lack of specific definitions in the updated framework.

Jaising had a tense exchange with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and UGC, over interruptions during her arguments.

Mehta argued that since a recent verdict had already set the direction through the NTF under retired Justice S Ravindra Bhat, the process should not be hindered.

The court assured that once notified, the NTF would still be able to review the regulations and offer further recommendations to address any gaps.

This development came as part of an intervention application tied to a 2019 PIL.

The court had earlier directed the UGC to ensure students across central, state, private, and deemed universities were protected from caste-based discrimination and had asked for compliance data regarding equal opportunity cells, as outlined in the 2012 equity promotion regulations.