Dharamsala college student’s death: UGC panel flags safety gaps, pushes campus overhaul

A University Grants Commission (UGC) fact-finding committee has recommended a comprehensive overhaul of statutory bodies, campus safety systems and mental health support at Government College, Dharamsala.

The move follows its probe into the death of a 19-year-old student in December last year. The five-member panel, constituted on January 3, examined the circumstances leading to the death and reviewed the college’s adherence to UGC norms on student welfare.

In a video recorded before her death, the student — reportedly battling severe depression — alleged “bad touch” by a professor and ragging by fellow students. A professor and three girl students were subsequently booked in connection with the case.

The panel has called for strict enforcement of key UGC regulations, including anti-ragging norms, sexual harassment prevention rules and grievance redressal mechanisms. It stressed that statutory bodies must not remain symbolic, but be properly constituted, meet regularly, maintain records and ensure accountability.

Mental health has emerged as the central concern in the panel’s 18-point recommendations. It has underlined the need to monitor student well-being from the time of admission, with early identification of vulnerable students flagged as critical. Timely academic support and psychological intervention have been emphasised to prevent crises.

The committee has proposed setting up a dedicated counselling centre with trained psychologists and support staff. It has also recommended a compulsory mentor-mentee system to ensure sustained faculty-student engagement, along with regular mental health awareness drives and teacher training programmes to foster a more empathetic campus environment.

On grievance redressal, the panel has pointed to gaps and pressed for systems that are transparent, accessible and time-bound, with regular reviews by the head of the institution. Inclusion of student representatives in key bodies, it noted, could help rebuild trust and improve responsiveness.

The report also calls for strengthening campus security through adequate personnel, expanded CCTV coverage and regular sensitisation programmes for women and vulnerable groups, including SC/ST communities, OBCs, minorities and differently-abled students.

It has further advised reviewing teacher-student ratios to ease academic pressure and improve engagement, while nudging institutions towards more student-centric practices in line with the National Education Policy.

Emphasising the role of families, the panel has highlighted the need for regular interaction with parents and updates on students’ academic and emotional well-being. It has also urged affiliating universities to take a more active role in oversight and ensure compliance with UGC norms.

Meanwhile, college Principal Prof Rakesh Pathania said mechanisms were already in place and would be strengthened in line with the recommendations.

“We will make grievance redressal committees more active, ensure student representation and hold regular meetings and sensitisation programmes to boost awareness on mental health and well-being,” he said. He added that parental involvement was also being enhanced through faculty to ensure closer monitoring of students’ progress.