Evolvement and Consequences of Ragging in Indian Education System

Abstract

Ragging is a prevalent issue in Indian educational institutions, with new junior students often being harassed by senior students. This phenomenon began in the seventh or eighth century A.D. and escalated into violent tendencies in the 1980s due to media influence. By the 1990s, it had reached its peak in South India, leading to many students committing suicide. The Indian Supreme Court outlawed ragging in 2001, but some cases persist. In 2009, the Supreme Court ordered all educational institutions to adhere to anti-ragging laws, following the tragic death of Aman Kachru. The UGC has formulated regulations to curb ragging in higher education institutions, and various states have taken steps to prevent and make educational institutions ragging-free. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the history, negative effects, and steps taken by the Indian government to address ragging in educational institutions.