UGC tells universities to appoint ombudspersons

New Delhi, February 20

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has said that the universities across the country should appoint ombudspersons. Students should approach the ombudspersons for speedy redressal of various issues faced by them.

“It is mandatory for all higher education institutions to appoint ombudspersons to address students’ complaints. If you are a student facing issues like irregularities in admission, misinformation, refusal to admit according to the institute’s policy, withholding of documents to induce payment of unnecessary charges, violations in admission process or unlawfulness in evaluation,” it said.

Early this month, UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said the universities across India should implement the Student Grievance Redressal Regulations-2023 so that students did not take extreme step of “self-harm” under stress.

According to the UGC, 700 varsities have appointed ombudspersons while 300 others are yet to make such appointments.