UGC Calls for Action: Equal Opportunity Cells in HEIs Back in Focus After SC Intervention

New Delhi- The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a directive to all Vice Chancellors and Principals of higher educational institutions (HEIs) across India, urging them to establish Equal Opportunity Cells (EOCs) and SC/ST Cells to address grievances of marginalized groups.

This step comes in the wake of significant directions from the Supreme Court during a hearing on January 3, 2025, in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning caste discrimination in HEIs.

The PIL was filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, two students who tragically died by suicide due to alleged caste discrimination. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and advocate Disha Wadekar, representing the petitioners, emphasized that the 2012 UGC regulations on equity and inclusion in higher education remain poorly implemented even after over a decade.

In his letter dated 10 January, titled "Establishment of Equal Opportunity and SC/ST Cells in HEIs and Submission of Data on Grievance Redressal", UGC Joint Secretary G.S. Chohan emphasized the significance of such cells in mitigating disparities and supporting marginalized communities.

" Recognizing education as a critical tool for achieving social and economic equality and with a view to address unique challenges faced by the Disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC non-creamy layer), Women, Minorities, and Differently Abled Persons in accessing opportunities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been consistently promoting initiatives to ensure equitable access to higher education for all," the letter read.

It further said, " In compliance with the Hon'ble Supreme Court's directives in a Public Interest Litigation (PL) regarding caste dacrimination in Higher Educational Instizutions (HEls), UGC has been instructed to collect and submit data from all HEls concerning the implementation of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012. You may also be aware that the UGC has recommended the establishment of Equal Opportunity Cells (EOCs) in all HEls to address disparities, support marginalized communities and sensitize about their rights envisioned in the Constitution. In this regard all HEls are requested to establish an Equal Opportunity Cell and SC/ST Cell to ensure the effective and transparent redressal of grievances of the disadvantaged grimaps. To assist this initiative, the UGC is preparing a database of important aspects, which are crucial to the protection of the rights and interests of the Disadvantaged groups and addressing their complaints and grievances."

All universities and colleges had to furnish the requisite details in the prescribed format via a Google link by January 20.

Supreme Court's Intervention

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, directed the UGC to collect and submit data from all universities—central, state, private, and deemed—on the implementation of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012.

Justice Surya Kant expressed concern over the increasing number of suicides in institutions of national importance, noting that 115 suicides were reported in IITs alone between 2004 and 2024. While the bench acknowledged the need for a phased approach, it highlighted the urgency of addressing the systemic issues leading to such tragedies.

The Court also criticized the Union Government for failing to file a response in the PIL for five years and directed it to submit a counter-affidavit within four weeks. Additionally, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was asked to provide its perspective on the matter.

Key Questions Raised

Senior Advocate Indira Jaising posed critical questions during the hearing:

• How many of the 820 universities in India have established Equal Opportunity Cells?

• What is the composition of these cells?

• How does the UGC monitor the implementation of the 2012 regulations?

The Court directed the UGC to prepare a detailed report, including data on the establishment and functioning of EOCs, the number of complaints received, and actions taken under the regulations. It also recommended the creation of an expert committee to review the 2012 guidelines for better implementation.

UGC’s 2012 Regulations

The UGC’s 2012 regulations emphasized “Social and Regional Equity: Futuristic Concerns,” aiming to address disparities in higher education. The regulations included:

• Providing special support to historically disadvantaged groups, including SCs, STs, OBCs (non-creamy layer), minorities, and women, for their inclusive growth.

• Efforts to improve enrolment ratios and reduce drop-out rates, specially for girl children among SCs/STs/OBCs and Minorities. Equal Opportunity Cells to be made proactive to ensure equity and inclusion.

• Ensuring necessary inputs for maximum utilization of 27% seats for OBCs in all Central Educational Institutions.

• Reviewing the existing schemes for social and regional equity and, if necessary a new system may be designed to overcome the difficulties experienced in the past and to ensure that special interventions for the disadvantaged categories are implemented in letter and spirit.

• Designing special schemes to address equity and inclusion for minorities, women, and weaker sections of society.

Despite these futuristic goals, several institutions, including premier ones like IIM Bangalore, reportedly do not have functioning Equal Opportunity Cells, raising questions about the effectiveness of the regulations.

Inactive Cells in IITs

As per a HT report from May 2023, data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act exposed the largely non-functional state of SC/ST cells in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). While the Centre claims that 19 of the 23 IITs have dedicated cells for the welfare of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, the reality is starkly different. The RTI, filed by the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), revealed that 16 of these 19 cells are non-functional. Additionally, four institutes—IIT BHU, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Mandi, and IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad—do not have SC/ST cells at all.

The findings highlight significant gaps in resources and activities. Of the 19 cells, 18 have no funds allocated, and 16 have not conducted any events since August 2022. Many of these cells lack basic facilities, with 12 institutes failing to provide rooms for meetings and discussions.

Furthermore, 10 IITs, including Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, Delhi, Tirupati, Goa, Hyderabad, Ropar, Patna, and Jammu, do not maintain information about reservation policies or mechanisms to monitor quota implementation.

A Delayed Call to Action?

Now, nearly 13 years after the regulations were introduced, the Supreme Court's intervention has spurred the UGC to take action. The letter issued by the UGC on January 10 highlights the urgency of the situation. It calls for the immediate establishment of EOCs and SC/ST Cells and requests data on their composition.

Advocate Disha Wadekar, speaking to The Mooknayak, emphasized that the Supreme Court’s directions should act as a wake-up call for the UGC and HEIs.

“The data on suicides and dropouts due to caste-based discrimination is alarming. Institutions must be held accountable for failing to implement regulations aimed at protecting marginalized students,” she said.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the matter periodically, the onus now lies on the UGC and educational institutions to prioritize equity and inclusion. Whether this will lead to systemic changes or remain another policy on paper remains to be seen.