Lok Sabha Question No. 2408 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Caste-Based Discrimination in Higher Education Institutions
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2408 ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2025

## Caste-Based Discrimination in Higher Education Institutions

## 2408. Shri K Radhakrishnan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

( a) whether the Government has any data of suicide cases of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Students in Higher Educational Institutions like IITs, IIMs, Central Universities and other institutions during the last ten years;

(b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise and institution-wise;

(c) whether any specific cases of caste-based discrimination have been reported in these institutions during the above said period;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with action taken thereon; and

(e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  and  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  to  prevent discrimination and ensure mental health, support and inclusive environment for SC/ST students in these institutions?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a)  to  (e):  National  Crime  Record  Bureau  (NCRB)  collects  data  on  suicides  from  police  recorded suicide cases. Comprehensive analysis of the data related to the accidental deaths and suicides in the country is published in the yearly Accidental Death & Suicide in India (ADSI) reports by National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). Year wise and State wise details of student suicides are available in the ADSI reports which are accessible at https://ncrb.gov.in/accidental-deaths-suicides-in-india-yearwise.html.

The Government is taking multi-pronged measures and provides psychological support to students, teachers  and  families  for  mental  and  emotional  well-being  to  avoid  incidences  of  suicide.  An initiative  of  Ministry  of  Education,  MANODARPAN, covers a wide range of activities to provide psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being.

To  address  the  burden  of  mental  disorders,  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  is implementing  the  National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP)  in  the  country.  The  objectives  of DMHP  component  under  NMHP  is  to  provide  suicide  prevention  services,  work  place  stress management, life skills training and counselling in schools and colleges.

A 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' has been launched in 2022 and Tele MANAS Mobile Application in 2024, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on today, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across  States  (MANAS)  Cells.  More  than  24.50  lakhs  calls  have  been  handled  on  the  helpline number.

To address the issue of equity and inclusion in the education, Government has taken multipronged approach and initiatives. UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012 have been notified, which is applicable to all the HEIs under its purview. It provides for HEIs to take measures to safeguard the interests of the students without any prejudice to their caste, creed, religion,  language,  ethnicity,  gender  and  disability.  The  regulation  provides  for  establishment  of Equal Opportunity Cell and appointment of Anti-Discrimination Officer in each University. It also stipulates  setting  up  of  Counselling  Centres  with  professionally  trained  counsellors  to  provide services to students, research scholars and faculty including non-teaching staff.

UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 have been formulated to safeguard the interest of students. As per the regulation, universities are required to constitute Students Grievance Redressal Committee and appoint Ombudsperson.

UGC  had  also  notified  Regulations  on  curbing  the  menace  of  Ragging  in  Higher  Educational Institutions,  2009  which  have  been  further  amended  on  29.06.2016  to  bring  all  caste-based discrimination in ambit of ragging. In order to prevent ragging in Higher Education Institutions, UGC has setup a nationwide toll free 24x7 anti ragging helpline 1800-180-5522 in 12 languages which can be accessed by students in distress owing to ragging related incidents.

In  order  to  proactively  address  any  issues  of  SC  /  ST  students,  Institutes  have  set  up  mechanisms such as SC / ST students' cells, Equal Opportunity Cell, Student Grievance Cell, Student Grievance Committee, Student Social Club, Liaison officers, Liaison Committee etc.

UGC issued  advisory  to  HEIs  on  06.01.2023  regarding  the  National  Suicide  Prevention  Strategy framed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Further,  UGC  has  issued  guidelines  for  Promotion  of  Physical  Fitness,  Sports,  Student's  Health, Welfare,  Psychological  and  Emotional  Well-  being  at  HEIs  on  13.04.2023.  The  Ministry  on 10.07.2023 has also circulated a broad framework for emotional and mental well-being of students in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) with request to take proactive measures to incorporate the same in the institutional functioning and instil a feeling of confidence in the student community. Both these guidelines  lay  emphasis  inter  alia  on  sports,  yoga,  meditation  etc.  to  address  the  well-being  and mental health concerns.  HEIs are promoting the integration of yoga in the academic life on campus by introducing year long yoga event calendars, dedicated courses on yoga etc.

Department of Higher Education has initiated the Integrated approach for Promoting Positive Mental Health,  Resilience,  and  Wellbeing  under  the  Malaviya  Mission  Teacher  Training  Programme.  It comprises online and in-person sessions, visits to institutions with innovative mental health practices, and  an  Annual  National  Wellbeing  Conclave.  The  goal  is  to  empower  faculty  to  address  student mental health concerns for early intervention.

The process of strengthening and upgrading mental-health infrastructure in educational institutions is accorded due priority.