UGC asks universities to form committee, appoint ombudsperson to redress student grievances

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all higher education institutions to form a students grievance redressal committee and appoint an ombudsperson as a part of the 'University Grants Commission Redressal of Grievance of Students Regulations 2023' within 30 days of the notification of regulations. The committee and ombudsperson will hear and redress complaints of students on matters such as admissions, fees, exams, scholarships, harassment etc.

“It is brought to your kind attention that in its endeavor to formulate a simplified yet effective mechanism for students' grievances Redressal the UGC has brought out the University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023. These regulations are notified in supersession of the University Grants Commission (Redress of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2019. The new Regulations provide for the establishment of Students Grievances Redressal Committee(s) (SGRC) by all the Higher Education lnstitutions (HEls) and for the appointment of Ombudsperson (s) at the University level,” said UGC in an official letter.

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The commission informed that the regulations include the detailed process for the constitution of SGRCs, its composition, the appointment of ombudsperson, and the procedure for the redressal of students' grievances.

“Higher Education institutions are requested to comply with the provisions of the Regulations and constitute the SGRC, preferably within 30 days of the notification of the Regulations. The Universities are requested to appoint the Ombudsperson(s), as provided in the Regulations, at the earliest, preferably within 30 days of the notification of the Regulations,” UGC added.

According to the guidelines, the committee will include:

• A professor - chairperson
• Four professors or senior faculty members of the institution as members.
• A representative from among students to be nominated on academic merit or excellence in sports or performance in co-curricular activities- special Invitee.

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At least one member or the chairperson should be a woman and at least one member or the chairperson should be from SC, ST, or OBC category. The term of the chairperson and members will be for a period of two years and one year for the special invitee, as per the guidelines.

Moreover, the ombudsperson will be a retired vice-chancellor or a retired professor (who has worked as dean or HOD) and has 10 years’ experience as a professor at state, central universities, Institutions of National Importance or deemed to be universities or a former district judge. The ombudsperson will be appointed for three years and will be paid a sitting fee.