Ragging cases double to 1,369 in 4 years; rise due to better reporting, says education ministry

The number of ragging complaints reported at higher educational institutions across India has more than doubled between 2022 and 2025, shows data shared with Lok Sabha on Monday. The count has risen from 655 to 1,369 over four years. As many as 757 cases have been reported in 2026 alone, for which data is available till July 22.

The sharp increases in cases in some states have added to the total. Uttar Pradesh saw the highest rise, with complaints increasing from 97 to 251. India’s most populous state has recorded 135 cases so far in 2026. Bihar’s count has grown from 54 to 122 over the same period and Maharashtra’s has more than doubled, from 41 to 89.

The figures were provided by minister of state for education Sukanta Majumdar in response to questions by member of parliament Sayani Ghosh. The ministry attributed the uptick in cases to better reporting. “There is greater awareness among students, which itself reflects the effectiveness of the regulatory framework in encouraging reporting and redressal,” the education ministry said in its response.

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UGC Anti-Ragging Measures: 107 institutions show-caused

The ministry said the higher education regulator University Grants Commission (UGC) issued show-cause notices to 107 higher educational institutions, including 18 medical colleges in 2025 for not complying with the Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009.

“These notices highlight lapses such as failure to secure anti-ragging undertakings from students and parents/guardians , and non-submission of institutional compliance reports despite repeated advisories and follow-ups,” the ministry stated in its response.

The ministry of education also said the UGC issues advisories to HEIs twice a year to “strengthen awareness, reporting and grievance redressal mechanisms for the prevention of ragging”.

Measures taken to ensure compliance include a 24x7 National Anti-Ragging Helpline, anti-ragging workshops and seminars, mandatory inclusion of the severe consequences of ragging in institutional prospectuses, mandatory online undertakings by students and parents every academic year, and the display of anti-ragging posters at prominent locations in institutions, the ministry said. The National Anti-Ragging Helpline number is 1800-180-5522.

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UP leads in ragging cases: Education ministry data

While UP and Bihar lead, they are by no means the sole contributors to the increase in cases. Madhya Pradesh’s count has risen from 73 to 117; and Rajasthan's from 32 to 75. Nagaland recorded the lowest number of complaints, with just one case reported over the five-year period.

The table below shows the 10 states with the sharpest increase in the number of ragging cases.

Ragging Cases: 4-year increase across states

The ministry of education’s data shows the number of reported cases grew from 655 in 2022 to 962 in 2023, 1,084 in 2024 and finally, 1,369 in 2025.