Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) Committee

Introduction

In alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the University Grants Commission (UGC) Guidelines on Equity, Inclusion and Student Support, and the institution's commitment to social justice and inclusive education, the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) Committee is constituted to ensure equitable access, participation, retention, and academic success of students belonging to disadvantaged sections of society.

The Committee is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, safe, accessible, and supportive learning environment where every student, irrespective of socioeconomic, cultural, geographical, or physical background, receives equal opportunities to achieve academic excellence and holistic development.

Composition of the Committee

Sr. No.	Designation	Role
1	Dean	Chairperson
2	Senior Professor	Member
3	In-charge, Internal Complaints Committee	Member
4	Coordinator/Director, IQAC	Member
5	SC/ST Representative	Member
6	OBC Representative	Member
7	Two Student Representatives from SEDGs (one male and one female)	Members
8	Assistant Registrar/Administrative Officer	Member Secretary
9	Counsellor/Psychologist (where available)	Member

Objectives

1

Safeguard the constitutional and legal rights of students belonging to Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups.

2

Promote an inclusive, safe, secure, and discrimination-free campus environment.

3

Provide academic mentoring, socio-emotional support, counselling, and guidance to SEDG students.

4

Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of orientation programmes, bridge courses, remedial coaching, and other academic support initiatives.

5

Encourage active participation of SEDG students in academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.

6

Facilitate effective implementation of Government policies, reservation provisions, scholarships, welfare schemes, and institutional support programmes.

7

Develop outreach initiatives to increase awareness among SEDG students regarding educational opportunities and available support services.

8

Monitor compliance with laws and preventive measures relating to discrimination, harassment, and atrocities against disadvantaged groups.

9

Disseminate and monitor the implementation of UGC notifications, Government directives, and institutional policies concerning SEDGs.

10

Ensure timely redressal of grievances and complaints through the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC), preferably within fifteen working days, while maintaining confidentiality, dignity, and the safety of the complainant.

Beneficiary Groups

As envisaged under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and UGC guidelines, the beneficiaries of the Committee may include:

Scheduled Castes (SC)

Scheduled Tribes (ST)

Other Backward Classes (OBC)

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

Minority communities

Women students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)

Students from rural, tribal, hilly, and remote regions

First-generation learners

Orphaned and vulnerable students

Students experiencing financial hardship

Any other disadvantaged group

Functions and Responsibilities

Identify students requiring academic, financial, social, psychological, or mentoring support.
Disseminate information regarding scholarships, fellowships, financial assistance, Government welfare schemes, and institutional support programmes.
Organize mentoring programmes, remedial coaching, bridge courses, counselling sessions, life skills training, and capacity-building initiatives.
Conduct awareness programmes on equity, inclusion, accessibility, gender sensitivity, diversity, constitutional values, and student welfare.
Monitor accessibility of institutional infrastructure, learning resources, and student support services.
Coordinate with the Equal Opportunity Cell, Anti-Discrimination Cell, Internal Complaints Committee, Grievance Redressal Cell, IQAC, Student Welfare Committee, and other relevant bodies.
Encourage participation of SEDG students in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, sports, NSS, cultural programmes, extension activities, and student leadership.
Review institutional policies and practices from the perspective of equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and recommend necessary improvements.
Recommend appropriate measures to improve student retention, progression, academic achievement, employability, and overall well-being.

Monitoring and Review

The Committee shall meet at least twice in an academic year to review the implementation of its activities, evaluate the effectiveness of student support mechanisms, and recommend corrective measures wherever necessary.

An Annual Report detailing the Committee's activities, achievements, recommendations, and outcomes shall be submitted to the Head of the Institution and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) for review and continuous quality improvement.

Policy Statement

The institution firmly believes that equitable access to quality education is a fundamental right of every learner. No student shall be deprived of educational opportunities on account of socioeconomic status, caste, gender, disability, geographical location, cultural background, or any other disadvantage.

Through the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) Committee, the institution is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, accessible, learner-centric, and discrimination-free campus that empowers every student to realize their full academic potential, develop as responsible citizens, and contribute meaningfully to society.

SEDGs Committee Document

Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) Committee Guidelines & Members

Official document containing the constitution, policy guidelines, and member list of the SEDGs Committee.

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SEDGs Committee