Patna: Bihar recorded the second-highest number of reported ragging cases in higher education institutions across India in 2024, according to data released by the Union Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education. Uttar Pradesh topped the list, while Madhya Pradesh ranked third.
The data shows that Bihar registered 122 ragging cases in 2024, behind Uttar Pradesh (251) and ahead of Madhya Pradesh (117). West Bengal recorded 102 cases, while Maharashtra reported 89.
Rise in Ragging Cases
The figures indicate an increase in reported ragging incidents over recent years. Bihar recorded 83 cases in 2023, compared with 122 in 2024. Uttar Pradesh reported 188 cases in 2023 before rising to 251 in 2024, while Madhya Pradesh’s cases increased from 87 to 117 during the same period.
According to the ministry’s data, Bihar had recorded 54 cases in 2022. Data available up to July 22, 2025, shows that 50 cases had already been registered in the state this year.
A widely reported ragging incident at a women’s college in Patna had also drawn attention to the issue in 2022.
Universities Implement Anti-Ragging Measures
As admissions for the new academic session continue, universities and colleges across Bihar are implementing measures in line with the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.
All higher education institutions are required to constitute anti-ragging committees. Students are also required to submit anti-ragging affidavits, with signatures from their parents or guardians, before enrolment.
Complaint Mechanism
Students can report ragging through the National Anti-Ragging Helpline, which operates round the clock.
Complaints can be lodged by calling the toll-free helpline 1800-180-5522, submitting an online complaint through the official anti-ragging portal, or emailing helpline@antiragging.in.
Three Bihar Universities Issued Show-Cause Notices
The UGC issued show-cause notices to 89 universities across the country in 2025 for alleged non-compliance with anti-ragging regulations. Three institutions from Bihar were among them: Veer Kunwar Singh University, Munger University, and Nalanda University.
According to the UGC, these institutions had not submitted mandatory anti-ragging undertakings from students and institutional compliance undertakings. The commission said it had issued advisories, conducted follow-up calls through the anti-ragging helpline, and initiated monitoring before serving the notices. The universities were asked to explain the non-compliance and submit reports detailing measures taken to prevent ragging on their campuses.
States Reporting the Highest Number of Ragging Cases in 2024
| State | Reported Cases |
| Uttar Pradesh | 251 |
| Bihar | 122 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 117 |
| West Bengal | 102 |
| Maharashtra | 89 |
