Anti-Ragging Law in India: What Every College Student Should Know

Ragging is banned in every college in India and is a criminal offence in Tamil Nadu under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997. Students who face or witness ragging can report it to the college anti-ragging committee or squad, or to the national anti-ragging helpline 1800-180-5522, which works around the clock.

The first weeks of college should be about new friends and new subjects, not fear. Yet ragging still causes serious harm to students across the country. Knowing the law helps juniors speak up and helps seniors understand where "fun" becomes an offence.

What counts as ragging?

The UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009 define ragging broadly. It includes any conduct by a student, by words or acts, that:

• teases, treats or handles a fresher or any other student with rudeness;
• causes physical or psychological harm, fear, shame or embarrassment;
• forces a student to do something they would not ordinarily do;
• exploits a junior for academic tasks or financial gain;
• involves sexual abuse, assault or obscene acts.

Ragging based on caste, region, language, religion, gender or economic background is treated with particular seriousness.

What does the law in Tamil Nadu say?

The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997 makes ragging within or outside an educational institution an offence punishable with imprisonment and fine. A student convicted of ragging is also dismissed from the institution and is not admitted to any other educational institution. The heads of institutions have duties to act on complaints promptly.

How did the Supreme Court shape anti-ragging rules?

In Vishwa Jagriti Mission v. Central Government (2001), the Supreme Court issued guidelines against ragging. Later, in University of Kerala v. Council of Principals of Colleges, Kerala (2009), it accepted the recommendations of the Raghavan Committee. These led to the UGC Regulations of 2009, which apply to universities and colleges across India.

What must every college have?

• An Anti-Ragging Committee headed by the head of the institution.
• An Anti-Ragging Squad that makes surprise checks in hostels, canteens and campus spaces.
• A mentoring system pairing freshers with seniors and faculty.
• Anti-ragging undertakings from students and parents at admission.
• Visible display of helpline numbers and committee contacts.

At Mugil College of Law, the Anti-Ragging Committee and the Anti-Ragging Squad are listed with their in-charges on our committees page, and our anti-ragging page explains how to report.

How do you report ragging?

1. Tell someone immediately. A faculty member, mentor, warden, the anti-ragging committee or squad member.
2. Call the national helpline 1800-180-5522, or email the helpline. Complaints are forwarded to the institution and monitored.
3. Write it down. Note the date, time, place, names and what happened. Keep messages and photos.
4. Go to the police if the act involves assault, sexual harassment or threats. Ragging is a crime, not just a breach of college rules.

Complaints can be made by the victim, a parent, a friend or any witness. The identity of the complainant is protected as far as possible.

What punishments can a college impose?

Depending on the seriousness, the anti-ragging committee can recommend suspension from classes, withholding of scholarships or results, debarring from examinations, cancellation of admission, expulsion and debarment from other institutions, along with a fine. These are in addition to criminal proceedings.

For seniors: where is the line?

Welcoming juniors, guiding them and helping them settle in is a tradition worth keeping. If an act would embarrass, frighten or hurt a junior, or if they cannot say no freely, it is ragging. When in doubt, don't.

For parents: what can you do?

Talk to your son or daughter regularly in the first few months of college and listen for changes, such as reluctance to return to the hostel, sudden requests for money or withdrawal from friends. Keep the college's anti-ragging contacts and the national helpline number saved on your phone. If you suspect ragging, report it to the college at once. You do not need proof to raise a concern; the committee's job is to inquire.

Sources

• National Anti-Ragging Helpline: complaints and undertakings.
• University Grants Commission: UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging, 2009.