UGC Issues Guidelines to Promote Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being in Higher Education Institutions

The University Grants Commission has issued comprehensive “Guidelines for Promotion of Physical Fitness, Sports, Students’ Health, Welfare, Psychological and Emotional Well-Being at Higher Educational Institutions of India”. These guidelines are in line with the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) and emphasize creating an environment conducive to students’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Focus Areas of the Guidelines

The UGC guidelines will be focused on the issues most critical to the challenges students face in HEIs, including stress, mental health problems, and a lack of physical activity. It encourages the adoption of campus life, student counseling services, and structured programs of physical activity and emotional well-being.

Vibrant Campus Life:
HEIs are also encouraged to give opportunities for academic and co-curricular activities, community services, internships, and field training to enable students to discover their interests and aspirations and build a positive campus environment.
Students Services Centre (SSC):
Every institution shall set up a Students Services Centre for students in general and more particularly from rural, diverse cultural, and special needs background. SSC shall have on board the trained physical and mental health counselors to ensure availability both physically and online.
Promotion of Physical Fitness:
The guidelines demand:
To establish gymnasiums, yoga centers, and self-defense training programs.
Incorporating physical activity as a component of the evaluation system so that everyone participates.

Weekly intramural sports tournaments and training camps for state/national events.
Furthermore, HEIs are encouraged to offer yoga and meditation programs for complete development.

Behavioral Correction and Emotional Counseling:
Student-induced deviant behaviors are to be tackled constructively through counseling and guided self-improvement programs. Suspension types of punishment are not recommended.
MOUs with Flagship Health Institutions:
HEIs are motivated to partner with institutions like AIIMS and NIMHANS for advanced mental health interventions.
Curriculum Integration and Training:
Courses on mental health and life skills are recommended, along with mandatory faculty training for mentoring and counseling.

Implementation and Monitoring

The guidelines stress maintaining transparency and regular monitoring of student well-being initiatives. HEIs are to make these services visible in the brochures, websites, and annual reports. Compliance with these measures will be scrutinized by accreditation bodies, such as NAAC and NIRF.

Conclusion

It is hoped that with the initiation of these UGC guidelines, higher education institutions will better create healthier, happier, and more resilient students, in turn equipping them with academic success and societal contributions.