Appointment of Nodal Officer for Student Well-Being, Crisis Response and Compliance

Office Memorandum dated 05.02.2026 issued by the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, forwarding the Hon’ble Supreme Court Orders dated 15.01.2026 in Amit Kumar & Others vs. Union of India & Others, requested necessary action based on the directions contained therein, along with monthly status / action reporting. Accordingly, one of the directions issued is for strict compliance of nomination of a Nodal Officer for Student Well-Being, Crisis Response and Compliance.

Nomination of Nodal Officer for Student Well-Being, Crisis Response and Compliance

Every University and every Centre of Legal Education shall designate a senior responsible officer not below the rank of Registrar, Principal, Director, Dean or equivalent as the Nodal Officer for Student Well-Being, Crisis Response, and Compliance.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Nodal Officer shall be responsible for:

• Immediate crisis response.
• Referral and medical coordination.
• Compliance and police intimation obligations.
• Preservation of records.
• Communication with authorities.
• Institutional follow-up.
• Preparation and transmission of compliance records.

Display of Nodal Officer Details

The name, designation, mobile number and email address of the Nodal Officer shall be displayed on the University website and student notice boards.

Mandatory Institutional Mechanisms

Every University and every Centre of Legal Education shall ensure the active constitution, formal notification and effective functioning of the following:

• Anti-Ragging Committee
• Anti-Ragging Squad
• Student Grievance Redressal Committee
• Internal Complaints Committee or other legally compliant complaint-handling mechanism for sexual harassment and gender-based grievances
• Anti-Discrimination / Equal Opportunity mechanism, wherever applicable
• Counselling and Wellness Centre or documented referral arrangement
• Internal oversight mechanism for mental health and student support review

The constitution of other committees as above shall be taken up separately.