Odisha Government Takes Action Against Ragging: New Measures for Student Safety

Strengthening Anti-Ragging Initiatives in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha has mandated that all higher education institutions enhance their anti-ragging protocols and provide mental health resources for students, according to officials.

A recent directive from the Higher Education Department instructs these institutions to bolster their anti-ragging committees, squads, and monitoring cells in line with established guidelines.

Additionally, the institutions are required to ensure constant supervision in hostels and other sensitive areas of campuses through effective duty rosters and unannounced inspections.

These measures follow recommendations made by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in August 2025, as noted in the notification.

Institutions are also urged to include representatives from SC/ST communities in their anti-ragging committees and related organizations, while establishing independent monitoring systems for regular assessments of anti-ragging efforts.

To improve grievance resolution, a three-tier system has been proposed, consisting of institutional cells, monitoring bodies, and district-level committees.

The department has highlighted the importance of awareness initiatives, orientation sessions for new students, counseling services, and mental health support systems.