On Thursday, officials confirmed that the UGC had sent show-cause notices to 18 medical colleges for failing to comply with anti-ragging regulations. The colleges that have been flagged for non-compliance are located in various states, including two each in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry; three each in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar; and one each in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Manish Joshi, the secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Secretary, stated, "It was found that these colleges had not complied with the mandatory requirements set forth in the Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009, for curbing the menace of ragging. Specifically, it has come to our notice that the institutions failed to obtain the anti-ragging undertakings from students as required by the said regulations".

According to the Anti-Ragging Regulations of 2009, every student and their guardians are required to submit an Anti-Ragging Pledge at the moment of admission and the commencement of every academic year.

"This undertaking is a crucial measure to prevent and deter any incidents of ragging within educational institutions. The failure to secure these undertakings not only constitutes non-compliance with the regulations but also puts the well-being and safety of the students at risk," Joshi further said.

The colleges have been instructed to provide a written explanation within seven days of receiving the notice. The explanation should outline the reasons for the oversight and the measures they plan to implement to address the issue promptly.

"Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated time frame will compel us to proceed with further necessary actions as per the provisions of the Anti-Ragging Regulations, 2009, including but not limited to the imposition of penalties and other corrective measures," Joshi said.