Student mental health and prevention of suicides; UGC seeks data from HEIs regarding mechanisms for National Task Force 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to submit data on initiatives taken for students’ health, welfare, psychological and emotional well-being. The data has been sought by the National Task Force constituted by the Supreme Court of India.

In its letter, the UGC has clearly stated that the data has been sought by the National Task Force, which is examining critical issues related to student mental health and prevention of suicides in HEIs.

“Given gravity and urgency of the matter, you are requested to treat this as top priority and ensure submission of the required information on or before May 28, 2025,” the UGC letter to HEIs read.

It is pertinent to mention here that UGC in 2023 had issued guidelines for the promotion of physical fitness, sports, students’ health, welfare, psychological and emotional well-being at Higher Educational Institutions across India.

What UGC Has Sought?

UGC has asked HEIs to submit information regarding existing mechanisms for addressing students’ mental health, including counselling systems, number of counsellors, student-to-counsellor ratios, qualification of counsellors and outcomes of any third-party evaluations.

Additionally, the HEIs have been asked to submit data regarding the establishment of equal opportunity centres, the number of complaints received under UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, and actions taken on these complaints.