"Student Rights at Stake”: UGC Spotlight Universities Lacking Ombudsperson Oversight

"Grievance Guardian Missing” UGC Warned Universities Over Absence of Ombudspersons

In a significant move for transparency and accountability, The University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023, has generated a list of universities without an appointed ombudsperson, raising concerns about fair treatment and students' welfare. There are about sixty-three universities on the updated list. A public notice has been issued from June 1, 2024, in which universities that had not appointed an ombudsperson as required by the UGC regulations 2023 have been mentioned.

Based on information from Higher Education Institutions about the appointment of ombudspersons the list has been updated as of July 1, 2024. In the most recent list,  6 private universities, 46 state institutions, and 11 deemed universities have not yet appointed any ombudsperson. In the previous list 108 state universities, 47 private universities, and 2 institutions were considered in default. 

The Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) was established to handle complaints submitted by college employees, parents, and students. Aiming to give students quick, easy access to resources for complaining about any issue. According to Rule 5(9), the Grievance officer must address the issue within 30 days of receiving it. Every University must designate an Ombudsman to handle complaints, a retired professor with 10 years of experience or a District judge can be appointed as an Ombudsman.

The lack of an ombudsperson for students implies that there is no formal avenue for complaints to be heard in an unbiased manner. This may result in prolonged arguments, unsolved problems, and a general feeling of unhappiness among the student body. In many instances, it may even deter students from raising valid concerns because they fear reprisals or a lack of serious consideration for their issues.

The UGC requests that the failing universities choose an ombudsperson or ombudspersons in accordance with the rules and notify the UGC at the following email addresses:

Central Universities: mssarma.ugc@nic.in, 

State University: smitabidani.ugc@nic.in 

Deemed to be Universities: monika.ugc@nic.in 

Private universities: amol.ugc@nic.in 

UGC has affirmed that according to law every university must have a student's grievances redressal officer. The colleges are asked to move quickly through the process and has extended assistance to those who are having trouble appointing faculty members.

Editor’s Note:

In our constitution, the rules are present for each and every problem and for the welfare of common people, abiding by law UGC took the initiative to raise the concern over students' grievances redressal. Many deemed and private universities lack any post of ombudsperson which is a point of concern as students feel living without a guardian. Issuing the list of such colleges UGC warned all of them to act right away and show that universities care about the rights and well-being of their students. Skoobuzz appreciates the efforts of UGC to raise concern over the students' grievances and appeal to universities to appoint an Ombudsperson as soon as possible.