UGC asks universities to submit data on cases of caste-based discrimination for past 2 years

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked colleges and universities to submit data on caste-based discrimination cases for the years 2021-22 and 2022-23. UGC has asked to share the information from the past two on the University Activity Monitoring Portal (UAMP) of IJGC at, ugc.ac.inluamp/.

The last date to submit the details by the universities and colleges is June 30, 2023. The commission has also requested the educational institutes to advise the officials and faculty members to be more sensitive while dealing with incidents of caste discrimination.

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UGC's official notice reads: " 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".

After several reports of caste-based discrimination against students and faculty members at top institutions such as the IITs, UGC has asked universities and colleges to take proactive measures in preventing such incidents.

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

• The officials and faculty members should desist from any act of discrimination against SC and ST students on grounds of their social origin.
• The university, institute and college may develop a page on their website for lodging such complaints of caste discrimination by SC, ST and OBC students and also place a complaint register in the office of the registrar and principal for the purpose. If any such incident comes to the notice of the authorities, action should be taken against the erring official or faculty member promptly.
• The university and its constituent or affiliated colleges should ensure that no officials or faculty members indulge in any kind of discrimination against any community or category of students.
• The university may constitute a committee to look into the complaints of discrimination received from the SC, ST and OBC students and teachers and non-teaching staff. The committee shall also include members belonging to SC, ST and OBC categories.