Ragging in Educational Institutions in India Introduction 

• Ragging in educational institutions has been a long-standing issue in India, causing physical, psychological, and emotional harm to students. 
• Despite strict legal provisions and numerous Supreme Court guidelines, incidents of ragging continue to occur, often with severe consequences. 
• The recent incidents at Kerala’s Government College of Nursing in Kottayam and Government College in Karyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, highlight the urgent need for stronger measures against this practice.

What is Ragging?

• The Supreme Court of India, in the landmark Vishwa Jagriti Mission v. Central Government (2001) case, defined ragging as any behavior that:
• Involves disorderly conduct, including verbal abuse or threats directed at juniors or freshers.
  • Displays aggressive behavior that causes distress or psychological harm.
  • Instills fear or anxiety in students.
  • Forces students to perform humiliating acts, resulting in embarrassment.
  • Adversely affects the physical or mental well-being of students.
• Ragging includes various forms of abuse such as physical violence, psychological harassment, sexual abuse, and verbal mistreatment. It often leads to long-lasting emotional distress, depression, and, tragically, suicides.

Recent Incidents of Ragging in India

• • Despite extensive efforts to tackle ragging, incidents continue to be reported across the country. Key statistics demonstrate the scale of the problem:
  • Kerala Incident (2025): A disturbing video from the Government Nursing College in Kottayam surfaced, showing a student being tied and assaulted, reflecting the ongoing issue of ragging.
  • UGC Helpline Data (2009-2023):
    • Over 8,000 complaints related to ragging have been logged.
    • Complaints surged by 208% from 2012 to 2022, with numbers jumping from 358 complaints in 2012 to 1,103 in 2022.
    • 78 student deaths allegedly due to ragging between 2012 and 2023.
  • State-wise Data:
    • Maharashtra topped the list with the highest number of student deaths (10), followed by Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu with seven each.
    • Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of complaints (1,202), with other states like Madhya Pradesh (795) and West Bengal (728) not far behind.

• Institutions with Most Complaints:

• • • Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – 72.
    • Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal – 53.
    • MKCG Medical College, Berhampur – 49.

Consequences of Ragging

• Impact on Victims:

• • • Physical Harm: Ragging often leads to severe injuries, disabilities, and in extreme cases, death.
    • Psychological Trauma: Victims frequently suffer from anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
    • Academic Disruption: Fear of harassment causes students to miss classes, lose focus, and experience academic decline.
    • Health Issues: Stress and anxiety resulting from ragging can lead to insomnia, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

• Legal Consequences for Perpetrators:

• • • Criminal Charges: Offenders face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 323 (causing hurt), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 509 (outraging modesty), and Section 306 (abetment of suicide in extreme cases).
    • Academic Penalties: Punishments include suspension, expulsion, blacklisting from institutions, and forfeiture of scholarships.
    • Career Impact: A criminal record could disqualify individuals from government jobs or other career opportunities.

• Impact on Educational Institutions:

• • • Loss of Reputation: Institutions known for ragging face negative media coverage and a decrease in student applications.
    • Government and UGC Action: Colleges that fail to take effective action against ragging risk funding cuts, de-recognition, and legal consequences under UGC Clause 9.4.
    • Campus Environment: A culture of fear and violence negatively impacts student well-being and academic performance.

• Impact on Parents and Society:

• • Emotional & Financial Burden: The trauma faced by the parents of victims often results in mental distress and financial strain due to medical and legal expenses.
  • Erosion of Trust: The continued prevalence of ragging erodes public confidence in educational institutions, prompting calls for stricter anti-ragging laws.

Challenges in Combating Ragging

• Weak Enforcement of Regulations: Despite clear directives from the Supreme Court and UGC, the enforcement of anti-ragging measures remains ineffective. Institutions often ignore or downplay complaints, failing to act decisively. The Raghavan Committee (2007) recommended that institutions file FIRs within 24 hours of a confirmed ragging incident. However, as per UGC data, many institutions fail to adhere to this guideline. For instance, in 2022, 1,103 complaints were reported, but only 28% of them resulted in immediate action or disciplinary measures. 
• Lack of Awareness: Many students, particularly seniors, are unaware of the serious legal and psychological repercussions of ragging. Many institutions fail to run effective awareness campaigns or orientation programs. According to a UGC survey conducted in 2019, 63% of students were not fully aware of the legal implications of ragging, including criminal charges under Section 323, 506, and 306 of IPC (causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and abetment of suicide).
• Fear of Reporting: Victims of ragging are often reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation, social stigma, and the possibility of being ostracized by peers. A study by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2020 found that more than 60% of ragging incidents went unreported, primarily due to fears of retaliation and social ostracization. In many cases, victims were threatened with harm or humiliation if they spoke out.
• Ineffective Grievance Redressal: Many anti-ragging committees lack the authority or will to resolve complaints in a timely and effective manner. The UGC Anti-Ragging Committee data from 2015 showed that only 22% of complaints received a resolution within the stipulated time frame. In many cases, complaints were either dismissed or not followed up adequately.
• Inadequate Monitoring: The lack of proper surveillance, such as CCTV cameras, and inefficient grievance tracking mechanisms make it difficult to detect and address incidents of ragging promptly. A 2018 UGC report found that only 42% of institutions had adequate CCTV surveillance in hostels, which is crucial for monitoring ragging activities. Without proper monitoring, it becomes difficult to prevent or prove incidents of ragging, leaving victims without sufficient evidence.
• Cultural Acceptance: Ragging is sometimes seen as a “rite of passage” or a bonding tradition between seniors and juniors. Peer pressure perpetuates this culture, with victims of ragging often passing on the abuse to newer students.

Legal and Institutional Framework Against Ragging

• Raghavan Committee (2007): The committee recommended strict measures such as mandatory anti-ragging affidavits, police FIRs, and disciplinary actions against offenders.
• Unny Committee (1999): Focused on ensuring student safety, institutional accountability, and the effective redressal of complaints.
• UGC Regulations (2009): These regulations mandated strict penalties for institutions failing to prevent ragging.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023): This new law introduced criminal provisions related to ragging, including wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, and assault.
• State-Specific Laws: Several states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, have enacted their own stringent anti-ragging laws.
• Information Technology (IT) Act (2000): Cyber ragging, including online harassment, is punishable under the IT Act.

Supreme Court Guidelines on Ragging

• The Vishwa Jagriti Mission v. Central Govt (2001) case led to the Supreme Court mandating strong measures against ragging:
• Institutional Responsibilities: Educational institutions must establish anti-ragging committees, file FIRs within 24 hours of incidents, and display anti-ragging rules prominently on campuses.
• Legal Measures: The UGC provides a 24×7 helpline for reporting ragging and has established penalties such as fines, rustication, and expulsion for offenders.
• Sensitization Programs: All students and faculty must undergo mandatory sensitization workshops to raise awareness about the harmful effects of ragging.

Way Forward

• Strengthening the Legal & Institutional Framework:

• Strictly enforce UGC Clause 9.4 against non-compliant institutions.
• Expedite legal processes and impose harsher penalties for offenders.

• Technology-Driven Monitoring:

• Implement AI-powered surveillance systems in hostels and campuses.
• Establish digital platforms for tracking complaints and ensuring timely resolutions.

• Awareness and Behavioral Change:

• Conduct mandatory anti-ragging workshops for both students and faculty.
• Initiate mentorship programs to create a more inclusive and supportive campus culture.

• Improving Reporting Mechanisms:

• Enhance the accessibility of the UGC helpline and establish online portals for anonymous reporting.
• Provide direct alerts to the police in case of severe incidents.

• Community and Peer Involvement:

• Engage senior students as mentors who can guide juniors and promote a positive environment on campus.
• Encourage parental involvement and collaboration with local communities to raise awareness and curb ragging.