UGC directs Higher Education Institutions to raise awareness and prevention of ocular trauma

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country to intensify awareness efforts on the prevention of ocular trauma, citing eye injuries as a significant public health concern and a leading cause of preventable blindness in India.

In a communication issued on January 22, 2026, the UGC referred to an advisory earlier issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urging institutions to actively disseminate information on the causes, risks and prevention of eye injuries through visible public awareness measures 

Eye Injuries: A Preventable Public Health Challenge

According to the NHRC advisory, ocular trauma accounts for nearly 7 per cent of all bodily injuries and contributes to 5 per cent of irreversible blindness in the country. Young people, particularly males below the age of 25, are among the most affected, resulting in long-term socio-economic consequences for families and communities.

The advisory notes that common causes of eye injuries include road accidents, sports-related incidents and occupational hazards, stressing that most such injuries can be avoided through timely awareness, protective measures and early treatment.

UGC Calls for Campus-Level Awareness Campaigns

As part of the initiative, the UGC has instructed HEIs to install posters and hoardings in colleges, universities and other prominent locations on campuses to educate students, staff and visitors about ocular trauma. Institutions have been asked to highlight preventive steps, safety precautions and the importance of immediate medical attention in case of eye injuries.

The aim, the UGC said, is to maximise public awareness and support the broader national effort to reduce preventable visual impairment.

NHRC’s Wider Recommendations

The NHRC advisory, addressed to Union Ministries and State Governments, outlines a comprehensive framework to prevent, minimise and mitigate ocular trauma. Key recommendations include creating a national ocular trauma registry, making eye injuries a notifiable medical event, strengthening safety norms in high-risk occupations, regulating hazardous products, and improving access to specialised eye trauma treatment facilities.

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The Commission has also emphasised the need for coordinated action involving health authorities, educational institutions and media platforms to ensure sustained public outreach and behavioural change.

Focus on Prevention and Human Rights

The NHRC has underlined that preventing avoidable blindness is closely linked to the right to health and dignity, calling for systematic efforts to protect citizens from lifelong disability caused by eye injuries.

In line with the UGC’s directive, higher education campuses are expected to play a crucial role in raising awareness and supporting national efforts to curb ocular trauma through education and preventive measures.