Lok Sabha Question No. 1627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Discrimination against Foreign Students
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1627 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Discrimination against Foreign Students

1627. Shri Anto Antony:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the measure taken by the Government to prevent discrimination against foreign students in Indian universities;

(b) whether any specific policies are in place to ensure the mental well-being of foreign students;

(c)  the  initiative  taken  by  the  Government  to  integrate  foreign  students  into  the  social  and academic environment of Indian universities;

(d)  the  number  of  cases  of  suicide  involving  foreign  students  have  been  reported  in  Indian universities in the last ten years;

(e)  the  number  of  complaints  of  discrimination  or  harassment  of  foreign  students  have  been registered in Indian universities during the last ten years;

(f) whether the Indian universities are having any dedicated grievance redressal mechanisms for foreign students; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (g): Government of India is proactively taking measures to address the grievances of all the students including foreign students, studying in  Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations 2023 provide framework for redressal of grievances of students enrolled in any institution and a mechanism thereto. As per the Regulations:

- i. Each Institution shall constitute such number of Students' Grievance Redressal Committees (SGRC), as may be required to consider the grievances of the students. The complaint from any grievant student will be addressed to the Chairperson of SGRC.
- ii. Each University shall appoint Ombudsperson for redressal of grievances of students of the University and Colleges/Institutions affiliated with the University.
- iii. The regulations also lay down detailed procedure to be adopted by Ombudsperson and SGRC for redressal of the grievances reported.

In  line  with  the  vision  of  NEP  2020  for  Internationalisation  of  Education,  University  Grant Commission  has  issued  instructions  in  2021  for  establishment  of  an  Office  for  International Affairs  in  each  University.  The  Office  for  International  Affairs  is  inter-alia  responsible  for undertaking activities such as:

- i. To coordinate all matters relating to welcoming and supporting foreign students
- ii. To  disseminate  information  related  to  admission  process  among  prospective  foreign students
- iii. To address the grievances of foreign students in all matters
- iv. To facilitate networking with fellow students
- v. To  extend  all  possible  help  to  the  foreign  students  to  adapt  to  the  new  cultural environment and make their stay in India comfortable and enriching.

The National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes on physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing  of  students  in  HEIs.  To  achieve  this,  the  government  has  introduced  various  measures, including the Manodarpan initiative, which provides psychosocial support to students, families, and teachers.

The Ministry of Education has circulated a broad framework in 2023 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.

Further, with an aim to promote mental well-being in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and address  issues  like  stress,  peer  pressure  and  depression,  the  University  Grants  Commission (UGC)  has  released    ' Guidelines  for  Promotion  of  Physical  Fitness,  Sports,  Students' Health, Welfare, Psychological and Emotional Well Being at Higher Educational Institutions of India ' in April 2023.

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