UGC tells universities to prevent entry of stray dogs in campus, calls for ’round-the-clock vigil’

Direction is in line with SC's 7 November order asking all states/UTs and Centre to secure educational institutions and other public places from stray canines, says UGC.

In November, the apex court ordered all States, UTs and Centre to enforce comprehensive measures to control and manage stray dogs in institutional areas, including schools, hospitals, bus depots, railway stations among others | Suraj Singh Bisht | File Photo

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to take immediate measures to check the entry and habitation of stray dogs for the safety and security of students and staff inside campuses.

In a letter Thursday, the UGC said that the direction is in line with the Supreme Court’s 7 November order, directing all states/UTs and the Centre to secure educational institutions and other public places from stray dogs, noting rising cases of dog bites.

Secretary, UGC, Manish Joshi urged the management of every educational institution to designate a nodal officer responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the premises and for “ensuring that stray dogs do not enter or inhabit the campus”.

“The management of stadiums and sports complexes must ensure the deployment of security or ground-keeping personnel specifically tasked with a round-the-clock vigil to prevent the entry or habitation of stray dogs,” the Commission stated.

It directed all educational institutions to conduct awareness sessions for students and staff on preventive behaviour, first-aid in case of bites, and immediate reporting procedures.

“All other guidelines as per the Supreme Court order dated 7th November 2025 (copy enclosed) should also be followed to ensure the safety of students and staff and to reduce incidents of dog bites.”

In its 7 November order, the Supreme Court directed that all government and private institutions, as well as public spaces such as bus depots and railway stations, must be properly fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogs. The apex court issued the order after noting the “alarming rise” in dog-bite cases across the country.

The chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories were tasked with ensuring strict compliance with these directions.

In its 2 December letter, shared by the UGC, the health secretary wrote to all secretaries of the Government of India, including the Ministry of Education, stating that every school and educational institution shall be directed to conduct awareness sessions for students and staff on preventive behavior around animals, first-aid in case of bites, and immediate reporting protocols.

Subsequently, on 12 December, the Ministry of Education wrote to the UGC requesting it to issue necessary instructions to institutions and universities under its administrative control to comply with the directions.

The ministry also sought a comprehensive report from the UGC to ensure timely compliance with the Supreme Court’s order.

(Edited by Tony Rai)