The Higher Education Department Odisha has directed all higher educational institutions across Odisha to strengthen anti-ragging mechanisms and enhance student safety measures following recommendations by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and recent observations made by the Supreme Court.
The directive comes after the department received communication from the NHRC regarding recommendations emerging from an Open House Discussion titled “Re-examining Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions: Creating Safer Campuses through Awareness, Accountability, and Action”, held on August 25, 2025.
Stronger Institutional Measures Recommended
The Commission stressed the need for stricter institutional mechanisms to prevent ragging and safeguard the mental health and well-being of students.
The recommendations were also made in the context of the Supreme Court’s July 25, 2025 judgment in Sukdeb Saha vs State of Andhra Pradesh, which highlighted the importance of accountability and preventive action against ragging in educational institutions.
Anti-Ragging Committees To Be Reconstituted
Under the new directive, all colleges and universities have been instructed to constitute or reconstitute Anti-Ragging Committees, Anti-Ragging Squads and Monitoring Cells in accordance with existing rules and guidelines.
The department has specifically directed Anti-Ragging Squads to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, especially in hostels and other vulnerable areas within campuses.
Institutions have also been asked to maintain proper duty rosters and conduct regular as well as surprise inspections. Records of such inspections must be preserved for future review and monitoring purposes.
Representation Of SC/ST Communities Mandatory
The order further stated that institutions must ensure adequate representation of SC/ST communities in Anti-Ragging Committees and related monitoring bodies.
Heads of institutions will be required to certify compliance with this provision.
Additionally, every institution has been instructed to establish an independent internal monitoring mechanism to periodically assess anti-ragging measures and submit reports to the department.
Three-Tier Complaint Redressal System Introduced
The Higher Education Department has also directed institutions to adopt a three-tier complaint redressal system for handling ragging-related complaints.
The mechanism will include an Institutional Cell, a Monitoring Agency and a District-Level Committee wherever necessary.
The guidelines further mention that closure of complaints should preferably involve obtaining feedback or satisfaction from the victim before confirming resolution, wherever feasible.
Focus On Awareness And Mental Health Support
Educational institutions have been asked to organise awareness programmes, orientation sessions for freshers and sensitisation campaigns on anti-ragging regulations and student conduct.
The department has also stressed the importance of counselling facilities and mental health support systems for students to ensure emotional well-being and early intervention in distress cases.
The Higher Education Department Odisha reiterated that all higher educational institutions must strictly comply with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009, along with all subsequent guidelines issued from time to time.
