UGC Asks Universities To Provide Data On Caste-Based Discrimination Over Last 2 Years

UGC has asked colleges and universities to provide data on instances of caste-based discrimination over the last two years.

UGC has asked to share the information on the University Activity Monitoring Portal.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked colleges and universities to provide data on instances of caste-based discrimination that occurred during the academic years 2021-22 and 2022-23. The UGC has asked educational institutions to submit this information through the University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) on the official UGC website, ugc.ac.inluamp/. The deadline for universities and colleges to submit the required details is June 30, 2023. Additionally, the commission has urged educational institutions to ensure that their officials and faculty members handle incidents of caste discrimination with increased sensitivity.

"You are requested to advise the officials/faculty members of your university/institute to be more sensitive while dealing with Incidents of caste discrimination. You are also requested to provide the information for the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 in lhe prescribed format (copy enclosed) on the university Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) of IJGC at the link https://ugc.ac.inluamp/) at the earliest and not later than 30s June 2023", UGC's official notice reads. 

As per UGC, universities and colleges are required to comply with the following measures:

• Officials and faculty members should refrain from any form of discrimination against students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) based on their social origin.

• Universities, institutes, and colleges are encouraged to create a dedicated webpage on their official websites for SC, ST, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students to register complaints regarding caste discrimination. Additionally, a complaint register should be placed in the office of the registrar and principal for this purpose. If any instances of discrimination are brought to the attention of the authorities, prompt action should be taken against the responsible official or faculty member.

• The university and its constituent or affiliated colleges must ensure that no officials or faculty members engage in any form of discrimination against any community or category of students.

• The university is advised to establish a committee to address complaints of discrimination lodged by SC, ST, and OBC students, as well as teachers and non-teaching staff. The committee should include members from the SC, ST, and OBC categories to ensure fair representation.