UGC forms expert panel to ensure equality for SC, ST students in universities

The University Grants Commission is in the process of updating its guidelines pertaining to the enrollment of individuals from SC, ST, and other minority communities in Higher Educational Institutions. In response, the UGC has initiated the revision of its regulations concerning SC, ST, and other minority community students in Higher Educational Institutions and has formed a panel to propose innovative and inclusive measures for a non-discriminatory environment. “An expert panel has been constituted to revisit the UGC regulations and schemes concerning the SC, ST, OBC, PwD and minority communities in HEIs and suggest further remedial measures if required to create a non-discriminatory environment for SC and ST students in universities and colleges,” PTI quoted a senior UGC official as saying. Under the 2012 UGC regulations, all higher educational institutions were explicitly directed to refrain from any form of discrimination against SC and ST students during the admission process. During the adjudication of a public interest litigation filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, both Dalit students who tragically died by suicide amidst allegations of discrimination at Hyderabad Central University and TN Topiwala Medical College in Mumbai respectively, a two-member bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh expressed deep concern about the issue of SC and ST student suicides.