This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Education's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 174, regarding caste-based discrimination and violence in higher education, answered on July 21, 2025. The Ministry confirms that all 48 Central Universities under its purview have constituted Equal Opportunity Cells, as per the UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2012. While the Government does not maintain a centralized database of caste-based discrimination incidents, Central Universities, as autonomous organizations, are responsible for establishing mechanisms for lodging complaints, taking action against discriminatory acts, and forming committees to address grievances from SC/ST/OBC students, teachers, and non-teaching staff. The Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) have implemented various measures to prevent caste-based discrimination and protect disadvantaged groups, including Students Grievance Redressal Committees (SGRCs), Ombudspersons, Equal Opportunity Cells, counselling support, and guidelines for curbing ragging and preventing sexual harassment. Central Universities are regularly advised to ensure faculty and officials avoid discriminatory actions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The Union Government Ministry responsible for education in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question regarding caste-based discrimination and violence in campuses.
University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body established by the Indian Union government to coordinate, determine and maintain standards of university education in India.
UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2012: Regulations by the UGC aimed at promoting equity in higher education institutions.
Equal Opportunity Cells: Cells established in Central Universities to address issues of equity and discrimination.
Central Universities: Universities established or incorporated by or under a Central Act.
Students Grievance Redressal Committees (SGRCs): Committees established to address grievances of students.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 174
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Caste-based Discrimination/Violence in Campuses
174 Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether Equal Opportunity Cells have been constituted in Central Universities as per UGC
(Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of Central Universities that have created such Cells;
(c) if not, the reasons for non-constitution of such Cells;
(d) whether the Government maintains data on instances of caste-based discrimination in
College/University campuses;
(e) if so, the details of such incidents in Central Universities during last five years and the current
year, College-wise/University-wise;
(f) if not, the reasons therefor;
(g) the details of support provided by the University or Government to those students who faced
discrimination;
(h) whether the Government plans to place any additional mechanisms to address grievances arising
out of caste-based discrimination; and
(i) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (c): The Equal Opportunity Cells have been constituted in all forty-eight Central Universities
under the purview of the Ministry of Education.
(d) to (i): Central Universities under the purview of Ministry of Education are statutory autonomous
organizations established under respective Central Acts of Parliament and governed by provisions of
the Acts, Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations made thereunder. Central Universities are sensitised from
time to time to ensure that faculty and officials refrain from discriminatory acts, establish
mechanisms for lodging complaints through websites or complaint registers, take prompt action
against erring individuals and are also encouraged to constitute committees to address complaints of
discrimination received from SC/ST/OBC students, teachers, and non-teaching staff. Ministry of
Education and University Grants Commission (UGC) have taken several measures to prevent caste-
based discrimination and to safeguard the interests of students coming from disadvantaged groups,
including setting up of Students Grievance Redressal Committees (SGRCs) and appointment of
Ombudspersons, Establishment of Equal Opportunity Cells, provisions of counselling support
through counselling centres and guidelines for curbing of ragging and prevention of sexual
harassment.
****