The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued draft guidelines mandating mental health support across all higher educational institutions (HEIs). These new rules require every HEI to establish a "Mental Health and Well-being Centre" and appoint one mental health professional for every 100 students. Public feedback on these guidelines is open until January 29, 2026 .
This initiative follows a 2025 Supreme Court ruling in Sukdeb Saha versus State of Andhra Pradesh. The guidelines aim for a comprehensive approach to student mental health, integrating support across academic, administrative, residential, and extracurricular domains. This ensures mental health is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders within an institution.
UGC to Monitor Through MANAS-SETU
The UGC will oversee the adoption and effectiveness of these guidelines. It plans to identify strengths and challenges annually. A dedicated online portal, "MANAS-SETU," will monitor and review quantitative and qualitative data from feedback and annual reports submitted by HEIs.
The regulatory body will collaborate with national and international organizations. These include the National Research Foundation (NRF), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This collaboration aims to promote research and develop evidence-based strategies for improving mental well-being in HEIs.
Mandatory Mental Health and Well-being Centres
The new guidelines mandate dedicated "Mental Health and Well-being Centres" (MHWC) within HEIs. These centres must have specific physical infrastructure. This includes private rooms for appointments and secure facilities for documenting sessions. Clinical records will be anonymized and stored, then destroyed after one year of a student’s graduation or according to institutional norms.
These centres will conduct sensitisation programs, capacity building training, and regular mental health surveys. They will report regularly to the UGC, conduct research, and establish links with external experts. Each MHWC must also operate a 24×7 helpline for student grievances and psychosocial concerns.
Monitoring Committees and Staffing
After establishing an MHWC, institutions must form a "Mental Health and Well-being Monitoring Committee" (MHWBC). This committee will consist of mental health professionals, faculty members, and students. HEIs must assign faculty mentors at a ratio of 1:500 students and student peer-support members at 1:100 students.
A nodal officer from the department will monitor committee activities and ensure regulatory compliance. This officer will also serve as a liaison between the HEI and UGC for effective communication.
Mental Health Professionals in HEIs
The MHWBC will be staffed primarily by qualified mental health professionals. These include licensed psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and psychiatric nurses. The draft guidelines suggest one qualified professional for institutions with 100 or more students. This increases the previous recommendation of one professional per 500 students.
Faculty members can act as coordinating officers. They will assist professionals with awareness programs and serve as a reporting point for students in distress when a professional is unavailable. Their role includes providing psychological first-aid, raising alarms for emergencies, and informing relevant authorities or family members for further referral.
Promoting Mental Well-being
The UGC draft guidelines suggest HEIs conduct workshops for students across all years. Freshers should attend three to four workshops in their first semester. These workshops will introduce campus mental health resources, aid adjustment, and teach self-regulation, social skills, and how to seek help.
Second and third-year students will receive short workshops on motivation, digital literacy, and online safety. Fourth-year students will focus on building resilience and communication skills to improve interpersonal functioning. The guidelines also recommend group activities like mindfulness techniques and structured journaling to enhance social connection and gratitude.
Faculty and non-teaching staff, including institutional leaders, will also be encouraged to participate in mindfulness and relaxation sessions. This aims to enhance their well-being, self-regulation, and healthy coping strategies. HEIs should create spaces for quiet reflection or meditation and integrate well-being concepts into the curriculum, potentially as credit or non-credit courses. In crisis situations, the guidelines involve informing parents and organizing meetings.