The University Grants Commission has directed all Higher Educational Institutions to strengthen their compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015. This is in pursuance of DO no. F.91-2/2025 dated 13 November 2025. Among other instructions, the Institutions have been instructed to review the constitution and functioning of their Internal Committees and examine ongoing awareness and sensitisation measures. They have also been directed to assess the efficacy of their redressal mechanisms. Further, a report regarding the same is required to be submitted for the year 2024–25 through the UGC SAKSHAM Portal.

Yuvamanthan Campus Calling Initiative

The National Commission for Women has launched a nationwide Campus Calling Programme in Partnership with Yuvamanthan. The initiative seeks to augment gender sensitivity and institutional preparedness across campuses. It combines digital modules, expert-led sessions, and student-engagement activities. More than 800 programmes are planned across the country, to spotlight legal literacy, digital safety, and overall awareness of the POSH laws.

Institutional Responsibilities

The directions of UCG are placing a responsibility upon the HEIs to demonstrate tangible efforts in implementing the POSH Law framework. There is an expectation placed upon the institutions that they will ensure participation of staff(teaching and non-teaching) and students to participate in the Campus Calling Activities. This ensures that all the involved stakeholders are awareness of their specific roles in the grievance redressal process. An emphasis has also been places on peer-leadership where students and faculty become active facilitators of awareness, prevention and early reporting. There is also an implication that institutions must allocate adequate administrative support, training time and visibility to these ambassadors so that the programme’s objectives are meaningfully realised on campus.

The organisations are also expected to revisit their existing internal policies to align the national programme.

The directive encourages institutions to introduce regular orientation programmes, strengthen documentation practices, and adopt digital tools for reporting, monitoring and follow-up. The NCW – Yuvamanthan framework extends beyond POSH compliance and includes characteristics of cyber awareness, mental health support and allied concerns.

Advancing Safe and Inclusive Campuses

The efforts of UGC and NCW mark a paradigm shift towards building a more integrated and data-driven approach to campus safety. Over time, the initiative is likely to standardise expectations across HEIs, reduce inconsistencies in IC functioning, and strengthen the overall ecosystem of accountability.

For institutions, this also presents an opportunity to reassess the broader environment in which students and employees experience safety, whether in physical spaces, digital interactions, or peer networks. By embedding gender-sensitisation efforts within academic and student-life structures, the programme aims to cultivate long-term behavioural change rather than one-time compliance exercises. The directive underscores a shared national commitment to ensuring that higher education spaces uphold dignity, equality and zero-tolerance towards harassment, supported by vigorous institutional mechanisms and informed campus communities.

Written by Adv. Aiswarya Krishnan