UGC to launch ‘e-Samadhan’ portal in September to resolve grievances of students

University Grants Commission (UGC), which oversees the higher education industry, will now keep track of and address all staff and student complaints using a centralised website dubbed “e-Samadhan,” which will go live in the second week of September, an official stated.

The official stated that the UGC has created the e-Samadhan-Online Grievance Registering and Monitoring System, a digital platform for stakeholders to identify and apply for grievances, feedback, or queries. “The resolution of institutional entity grievances has always been a top priority of the commission,” the official said.

The e-Samadhan Portal operated by the University Grants Commission will address issues such as non-refund of fees, admission on the basis of merit rather than ability, refusal of admission in accordance with the stated admission policy, withholding of original degrees, diplomas, and certificates by institutions, etc.

According to the UGC, this platform enhances openness, prohibits unfair practises in higher education institutions, and offers a time-limited process for grievance redressal. According to an official announcement, the commission has combined all of its current helplines and portals with the exception of the anti-ragging hotline.

UGC’s Grievance Resolution Procedure

The University Grant Commission (UGC) is creating a timeline-bound dispute resolution procedure that would settle student-related disputes within 10 days and stop unfair practises in higher education institutions (HEIs). “UGC provided several mechanisms,” said UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar. The stakeholders had to file numerous complaints and grievances at various locations because there wasn’t a single-window method available. Because of the slow pace at which the redressal mechanism was operating, stakeholders’ worries increased.

Time Limit for Responding to Issues in e-Samadhan

The e-Samadhan Portal has a time boundation to respond to the student and teacher-related issues within the following time period:

Ragging/Gender issues

As per Existing Norms

Student-related matter

10 working days

Teaching/Non-Teaching Issues

15 days

University/ Colleges and Other Matter

20 days

How to Register Grievance on e-Samadhan Portal?

The user would be able to file a complaint by completing a straightforward method with the use of a mail ID or by calling the toll-free number 1800-111-656.