Lok Sabha Question No. 4624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Stress among Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4624 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## Stress among Students

## 4624. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

## Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- (a)  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  consultation  with  State  Governments  to  frame proper guidelines to reduce stress among students arising out stiff competition in employment, rising expectation of parents and commercialization of education field; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a)  & (b) There is a serious academic competition. Students have a difficult time with the demands  of  classes,  grades,  choice  of  subjects  and  parental  pressure.  Accordingly University Grants Commission (UGC) notified Guidelines on 'Safety of Students on and off Campuses of Higher Education Institutions' dated 06.04.2015. These Guidelines are also uploaded on UGC website (www.ugc.ac.in).Further in January 2016 UGC asked all Universities  to  set  up  a  student  counseling  system  to  deal  with  the  problems  which students might face. Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) have been taking various steps as peer assisted learning, special languages classes for week students in order to ease the  academic stress.  In  addition,  IITs  conduct  workshops/  seminars  on  happiness  and wellness, regular sessions on Yoga, induction programs,  extracurricular activities including  sports  and  cultural  activities  and  appointment  of  Student  Counselors  for overall personality development and de-stressing students.

Since  ragging  also  affects  the  mental  well  being  of  students,  in  2009,  UGC regulation  on  curbing  the  menace  of  ragging  in  Higher  Educational  Institutions  was made. These regulations have been further amended in 2016 by enlarging the definition of ragging. These regulations are to be followed by all higher educational institutions. The  Ministry  allocates  Rs  5  crore  every  year  to  the  UGC  for  undertaking  publicity campaigns  against  ragging  in  Higher  Educational  Institutions  in  the  country.  An  AntiRagging toll free 'helpline' 1800-180-5522 in 12 languages has been made operational by the UGC with call centre facilities for helping victims of ragging, besides facilitating effective coordinated action by all concerned. In  order  to  make  education  more  relevant  and  to  create  skilled  workforce  for employment, University Grants Commission (UGC) has implemented three schemes i.e. Community College,  B.Voc  and  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyay  Kaushal  Kendra  under  National Skill  Qualification  Framework.  These  schemes  facilitate  close  interaction  between  the institutions  offering  skill-based  courses  and  the  service  industry.  In  addition,  All  India Council  of  Technical  Education  implements  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojna  for technical  institution  (PMKVY-TI)  to  train  youth  in  professional  skills  through  approved technical institutions. Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc.) studies programme introduced in 162 institutions of higher  learning in 80 trades with  intake of  17600 students. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushal Kendras have been approved by the UGC in 64 universities and colleges. These centres function as the apex centres for skill development in Universities and colleges. The Community Colleges offer credit based courses which allows multi-point entry and exit for skill up-gradation or employment market, banking on credits and allows re-entry into  the  higher  education..  Under  the  scheme  through  University  Grants  Commission (UGC) and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) put together, a total of 273 institutions  (mainly  polytechnics)  are  offering  skill  courses  in  about  83  trades.  The courses are aligned as per NSQF from 3 to 5. UGC has enrolled 12440 students so far, of whom 9330 students have been placed successfully.

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