The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a fresh directive to higher education institutions across India, warning that harassment of junior students through informal WhatsApp groups will be treated as ragging under existing anti-ragging regulations.

The advisory follows a steady increase in complaints from freshers alleging mental and verbal abuse by senior students, often through digital means such as messaging apps. "In several cases, seniors form informal WhatsApp groups, contact juniors and subject them to mental harassment. This too amounts to ragging and will invite disciplinary measures," the UGC stated.

According to officials, any failure to curb such practices could result in stringent penalties, including the withholding of UGC grants. The commission emphasised that student safety is non-negotiable, and that all institutions must enforce anti-ragging norms both on and off campus, including digital spaces.

The directive also highlighted other prevalent forms of ragging, such as:

  • Forcing students to cut their hair
  • Keeping them awake for long hours
  • Issuing verbal abuse or threats
  • Enforcing social boycotts

“These acts lead to physical and psychological distress and are serious violations of anti-ragging regulations,” the UGC noted, adding that such behaviour is completely unacceptable and will be met with disciplinary consequences.

Institutions have been urged to monitor student interactions more closely, including online platforms and messaging groups, and to take preventive as well as corrective actions where necessary.

The move marks a broader crackdown on digital harassment within academic environments, reinforcing the UGC’s zero-tolerance policy on ragging in any form.