The News Freedom
New Delhi, January 18
To enhance student grievance redressal mechanisms, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a list of Indian universities today that have failed to appoint Ombudspersons, as required by the UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023. This move follows a six-month compliance window, accompanied by multiple reminders.
The Regulations, notified in the Official Gazette on April 11, 2023, mandated universities to appoint Ombudspersons within 30 days. Subsequent reminders and a final deadline of December 31, 2023, with the threat of public naming, were ignored by the listed universities.
UGC Letter regarding the list of defaulting Universities who have not appointed an Ombudsperson(s) as provided in the UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023.
Read here: https://t.co/ORupFJ4hOg#UGC #UGCNotices #Students #Ombudsperson pic.twitter.com/GVVJ2gC1pk
— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) January 18, 2024
This inaction raises serious concerns about student welfare and exposes potential gaps in grievance redressal systems within these institutions. The absence of appointed Ombudspersons, tasked with impartially addressing student complaints, leaves students vulnerable to unresolved issues and potentially unfair treatment.
The UGC’s public list sends a strong message to non-compliant universities, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing student well-being and adhering to regulations designed to protect their rights. With the list made public, students, parents, and the wider education community can now hold these institutions accountable for their inaction.