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UGC Mandates Mental Health Support for Students
15 Jan
Summary
- All higher education institutions must create dedicated mental health centers.
- One mental health professional required for every 100 students.
- A 24x7 helpline for student grievances and psychosocial concerns is mandated.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed draft guidelines making institutional mental health support compulsory across all higher educational institutions (HEIs) in India. These guidelines mandate the establishment of dedicated "mental health and well-being centres" and "monitoring committees" within each institution, aiming to create a uniform framework for student well-being.
The new rules require a significant increase in mental health resources, stipulating one qualified mental health professional for every 100 students. Additionally, HEIs must operate a 24x7 helpline for student grievances and psychosocial concerns, which will be connected to established national mental health helplines. These measures are intended to address rising student mental health issues.
These draft guidelines, open for public consultation until January 29, 2026, aim to shift universities towards a proactive and preventive mental health approach. Compliance will be monitored by the UGC through a dedicated digital portal and annual reports from institutions.
