Prevention of Ragging Cell

Nirma University has a zero tolerance policy towards ragging. Ragging is strictly prohibited inside and outside the University campus. It strictly follows the guidelines on ragging issued by the Honourable Supreme Court of India and University Grants Commission (UGC).

Definition of Ragging
As per the Supreme Court of India, “Ragging is any disorderly conduct whether by words spoken or written or by an act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness to any student, indulging in rowdy or undisciplined activities which cause or likely to cause annoyance, hardship or psychological harm or to raise fear or apprehension thereof in a fresher or a junior student and which has the effect of causing or generating a sense of shame or embarrassment so as to adversely affect the psyche of a fresher or a junior student.” Further, UGC has notified via the 3 rd amendment in UGC Regulations on 29 th June, 2016 to expand the definition of ragging by including the following:

“Any act of physical or mental abuse (including bullying and exclusion) targeted at another student (fresher or otherwise) on the ground of colour, race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender (including transgender), sexual orientation, appearance, nationality, regional origins, linguistic identity, place of birth, place of residence or economic background.”

Anti-Ragging Mechanism at the University
The University has the provision of anti-ragging mechanism, both at the university level as well as the institute level. The University has a Monitoring Cell, which is headed by the Director General. Each institute has an Anti-Ragging committee, which is headed by the Director of the Institute. At the institute level, there are two more committees: Anti-ragging Squad and Anti-ragging Mentoring Cell.

The academic year begins with the meeting of Monitoring Cell that discusses and decides the guidelines related to the anti-ragging measures in line with the guidelines issued by the UGC.

Every institute, in turn, plans and implements the anti-ragging measures at the institute level.

Anti-Ragging Measures
All the students admitted to the University have to observe and abide by the rules prescribed by the University and the respective Institute. Each student and his parent are required to submit an online undertaking every academic year. To enhance familiarity and to acclimatise the fresher’s to the academic and social environment of the campus, each institute organises an orientation programme in the first week of the new academic calendar. Different communication mechanisms are used to disseminate the information about the anti-ragging measures being followed at the University.

Regular interaction and counselling sessions are held with the students to make them comfortable in the new environment and to detect any signs of ragging. The anti-ragging squad regularly visits the hostels, canteen/mess area, and sports ground to detect any signs of ragging. In addition, there is surprise inspection at hostels, canteens, rest cum recreational rooms, toilets, bus-stands, etc to prevent ragging and any undesirable behaviour or incident.

Anti-ragging Committee:

Anti-ragging Squad: