New 'Grievance Redressal Mechanism' For Admissions

The Higher Education institutes across the country will soon have a Grievance Redressal Mechanism to cater to the grievances that arise relating to students and applicants for admissions in these institutions- announced Mr. Kapil. He continued saying “these grievances require prompt redressal in order to provide timely succor to aggrieved students and applicants. The Parliamentary Standing Committee, while examining the bill to prohibit and punish unfair practices, had recommended that pro-active steps will be taken to constitute Grievance Redressal Mechanism in Higher Education Institutions”.

UGC, AICTE and NCTE would be requiring all Central Educational Institutions, institutions deemed to be universities, technical and management institutions under AICTE and teacher education institutions under NCTE to establish a Grievance Redressal Mechanism for students and applicants for admission before the commencement of the admission this academic year.

For admissions, applicants or students can apply to the Ombudsman for redressal of grievances and the Ombudsman shall deliver his/her order within one month. Although the order would not be binding on the institution, the regular would rely on the frequency of non-observance to decide on continued recognition to such institutions.

In case of matters concerning weaker sections such as SC/ST/OBC's or minorities, the Ombudsman can co-opt a person of eminence from the area coming from the weaker section to assist him/her in arriving at a decision.