New Delhi, Jan. 15 -- The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday issued draft guidelines that require all higher educational institutions (HEIs) to establish a dedicated "mental health and well-being centre" and a "mental health and well-being monitoring committee". The rules make institutional mental health support compulsory across campuses. HEIs must also appoint one mental health professional for every 100 students and operate a 24x7 helpline for student grievances and psychosocial concerns, linked to established national mental health helplines. The guidelines, prepared following the Supreme Court judgement in Sukdeb Saha versus State of Andhra Pradesh (2025), form the 'Uniform Policy on Mental Health and Well-Being for Higher Educational Institutions'. They aim to create a uniform, enforceable framework for student mental health. The court directed the Centre to frame a national policy after highlighting rising student suicides and institutional failures to provide timely support. The UGC has released the draft for public consultation, inviting stakeholder feedback by January 29. A key provision requires "1 qualified clinical psychologist/ psychologist/ mental health professional for any educational institution where 100 or more students are enrolled". "The guidelines aim to shift universities from a reactive stance to a proactive, preventive, and participatory mental health approach," the draft states....