The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive to higher education institutions, urging them to monitor any informal WhatsApp groups created to harass junior students. This information was confirmed by officials.

According to the authorities, such groups will be classified as 'ragging,' and strict actions will be taken under anti-ragging regulations. Each year, the UGC receives numerous complaints from new students alleging harassment by senior peers.

In its latest guidance, the UGC stated, 'In many instances, senior students create informal WhatsApp groups to contact junior students and mentally torment them. This is akin to ragging and will result in disciplinary measures.'

They emphasized, 'The safety of students on campus is paramount, and there can be no compromise on this matter. Failure to enforce anti-ragging standards could lead to severe consequences, including the withholding of grants.'

The advisory also highlighted incidents where junior students were threatened with social ostracism if they did not comply with the demands of their seniors. Forcing students to get haircuts, keeping them awake for extended periods, or verbally humiliating them were also described as other forms of ragging. It stated, 'Such acts cause physical and mental distress and are serious violations of anti-ragging regulations, which are entirely unacceptable.'