Anti-Ragging Authorities

To prevent ragging, every college and university must constitute the following authorities:(( Section 6.3, the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))

Anti-Ragging Committee 

It is compulsory for every college to constitute an Anti-Ragging Committee, which is composed of the following members:(( Section 6.3 (a), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))

• Head of the college
• Representatives of the police
• Local media
• NGOs working for the youth
• Parent representatives
• Faculty representatives
• Student representatives (both freshers and seniors)
• Non-teaching staff

However, the duties of the Anti Ragging Committee are to:(( Section 6.3 (b), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))

• Ensure that the college is complying with the law on ragging in India
• Monitor the activities of the Anti-Ragging Squad
• Receive recommendations from the Anti-Ragging Squad and take final action in incidents of ragging

Anti-Ragging Squad 

It is compulsory for every college to constitute an Anti Ragging Squad, which is(( Section 6.3 (c), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) nominated by the head of the college, such as the Principal or the Dean. The squad has representatives from different members of the campus community, like teachers, student volunteers, etc. However, outside representatives like the police or media are not a part of this authority.

The duties of the Anti Ragging Squad are to:(( Section 6.3 (d)(e), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))

• Conduct on-the-spot inquiry into any ragging incident. Anyone including the Head of the college, parents or guardians, members of the faculty, students, etc. can approach the Anti Ragging Squad to inform them about an incident or file a complaint.
• Submit the inquiry report of a ragging incident and the recommendations to the Anti-Ragging Committee, who will then take action. For instance, the actions may include administrative punishments, like suspension or a complaint with the police.
• Make surprise visits and inspections of any place where ragging is likely to take place, such as hostels.

Mentoring Cell

It is compulsory for every college to(( Section 6.3 (f), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.)) constitute a Mentoring Cell at the end of every academic year. It is composed of students who have volunteered to be mentors for the new students joining the college or institution.

The duties of the Mentoring Cell are to provide support and mentor-ship to the freshers or new students. However, please note that as per law, one mentor can have six freshers, and each mentor of a more senior level will have six mentors under his guidance. For example, if Ram is a 2nd-year student who has six freshers to be mentored and Shyam is a 3rd-year student, Shyam will mentor Ram and five other such mentors.

Monitoring Cell on Ragging

It is compulsory for every University to constitute a Monitoring Cell on Ragging. Additionally, the duties of the Monitoring Cell on Ragging are to:(( Section 6.3 (g)(h), the UGC Regulations On Curbing The Menace Of Ragging In Higher Educational Institutions, 2009.))

• Coordinate the activities of all the colleges affiliated with the University to prevent ragging. For example, a monitoring cell of Delhi University will coordinate activities of all the colleges associated with it.
• Get reports from the Heads of colleges on activities of the Mentoring Cell, Anti-Ragging Squad and Anti-Ragging Committee.
• Review the efforts of the colleges to publicize anti-ragging measures.
• Get affidavits signed from parents and students to abstain from ragging and to get punished, in case they engage in ragging.
• Initiate action for amending any by-laws or ordinances of the University to ensure implementation of anti-ragging measures.