Ragging complaints increase to pre-Covid levels: Govt data
A Parliamentary standing committee report said the complaints increased between 2016 and 2019 before dipping as the Covid-19 pandemic forced closures of educational institutes
Ragging complaints registered on the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s helpline increased to pre-pandemic levels after higher education institutions (HEIs) fully reopened in 2022, a Parliamentary standing committee report has said. The complaints increased between 2016 and 2019 before dipping as the Covid-19 pandemic forced closures of HEIs in 2020 and 2021.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, in its report on demands for grants 2025-26 of the higher education department, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday called student well-being at HEIs “crucial for academic success, mental health, and overall personal development.”
The report said 1,070 ragging complaints were reported in 2019 and 1,084 in 2024. The complaints surged 75% from 515 in 2016 to 901 in 2017. The upward trend continued in 2018 (1,016 complaints), marking a 12.75% increase. In 2019, the complaints rose to 1,070.
In 2020, the complaints plummeted by 79.5% to 219, mainly due to the closure of educational institutes. As the institutions began reopening partially in 2021, complaints rose to 532, marking a 143% increase compared to 2020. The complaints remained below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting many institutes were operating in remote or hybrid modes, limiting in-person student interactions.
Ragging complaints increased by 66% to 883, reaching pre-pandemic levels with the full reopening of educational institutes in 2022. The trend continued in 2023 (962 complaints), marking an 8.95% rise compared to 2022. By 2024, the number increased to 1,084, the highest since 2016 and a 12.68% increase.
UGC’s nationwide toll-free anti-ragging helpline (1800-180- 5522) recorded 110 complaints until February 10, 2025.
The education department attributed “UGC’s initiatives and awareness campaigns” for the increased reporting of ragging cases. It said the complaints are promptly forwarded to the respective institutions and local administration for corrective measures.
The department told the parliamentary panel that the caste-based discrimination complaints reported from 704 universities and 1,553 colleges from 2019-20 to 2023-24 showed a steady rise. In 2019-20, there were 173 such complaints, which rose to 182 in 2020-21 (5.2% increase). The trajectory continued in 2021-22, with 186 complaints (2.2% rise).
The complaints surged to 241 in 2022-23. This marked a 29.6% increase compared to 2021-22. In 2023-24, the complaints rose by 56.8%—the highest since 2019-20—to 378.
The number of complaints resolved also increased, but without keeping pace with the surge. In 2019-20, 155 complaints were resolved (89.6%). This dropped to 88.5% in 2020-21, with 161 cases resolved.
In 2021-22, the resolution rate improved to 93% with the redressal of 173 complaints. The trend remained stable in 2022-23, with 222 resolved complaints (92%). In 2023-24, 341 complaints were resolved (90.2%).
The resolution rate remains around 90%. But the number of pending cases rose consistently, reaching 108 in 2023-24.
The parliamentary committee recommended the establishment of on-campus counselling centres with trained psychologists and mental health professionals, 24/7 helplines, and online counselling services for students to ensure a supportive learning environment.
In a January 15 letter, UGC asked HEIs to establish equal opportunity and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe cells to ensure the effective and transparent redressal of grievances of the disadvantaged groups.
