1. Preamble
Kalinga University is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, respectful, and supportive educational and working environment in which every individual is treated with dignity and provided fair and equal opportunities.
The University recognizes that discrimination can adversely affect an individual’s access to education, employment, participation, personal development, academic achievement, professional growth, and overall well-being. The University therefore seeks to prevent discrimination and promote equality, inclusion, fairness, and equal opportunity across all areas of University life. The University shall not discriminate against any individual on grounds prohibited by applicable law or University policy and shall strive to ensure that students, faculty members, staff, researchers, contractual personnel, and other stakeholders are able to participate fully in the academic, professional, administrative, cultural, residential, sports, and extracurricular life of the University.
Through this Policy, Kalinga University seeks to establish institutional principles and mechanisms for preventing discrimination, promoting equal opportunity, addressing discriminatory practices, supporting affected individuals, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and inclusion. This Policy shall be implemented in accordance with applicable constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, statutory requirements, and University rules.
2. Principles
The University shall be guided by the following principles:
- Equality and Equal Opportunity: Every individual shall have fair and equal access to education, employment, institutional facilities, services, and opportunities, subject to applicable laws, regulations, and legitimate institutional requirements.
- Non-Discrimination: No individual shall be subjected to discrimination, exclusion, harassment, victimization, or unfair treatment on any ground protected by applicable law or University policy.
- Dignity and Respect: Every member of the University community shall be treated with dignity, courtesy, fairness, empathy, and respect.
- Inclusion and Equity: The University shall promote an inclusive environment that recognizes diversity and seeks to address reasonable barriers that may prevent individuals from participating fully in University life.
- Merit and Fairness: Academic, employment, administrative, and other institutional decisions shall be based on relevant qualifications, merit, performance, eligibility, institutional requirements, and applicable rules, without discriminatory considerations.
- Accessibility: The University shall strive to make its educational, workplace, administrative, and support systems reasonably accessible and inclusive for all members of the University community.
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Personal information relating to an individual’s identity, background, complaint, or circumstances shall be handled with appropriate confidentiality and respect for privacy.
- Protection from Retaliation: No individual shall be subjected to retaliation, intimidation, victimization, or adverse treatment for reporting discrimination in good faith or participating in a legitimate grievance process.
- Shared Responsibility: Promoting equality and preventing discrimination is a collective responsibility of students, faculty members, staff, administrators, authorities, and other members of the University community.
3. Objectives
The Policy aims to:
- Prevent discrimination in all areas of University life.
- Promote equality, inclusion, dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity.
- Ensure equitable access to education, employment, facilities, services, and institutional opportunities.
- Establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus and workplace environment.
- Prevent discriminatory treatment based on characteristics protected under applicable law or University policy.
- Address institutional or individual barriers that may adversely affect equal participation.
- Provide accessible mechanisms for reporting and redressal of discrimination-related complaints.
- Protect complainants, witnesses, and affected individuals from retaliation and victimization.
- Promote awareness and sensitization regarding equality, diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination.
- Facilitate appropriate counselling, welfare, mentoring, and support services where required.
- Ensure fairness and transparency in academic, employment, administrative, and other institutional processes.
- Promote a culture of mutual respect, empathy, inclusion, accountability, and social responsibility.
4. Guidelines
4.1 Scope of the Policy
This Policy shall apply to all students, faculty members, staff, researchers, contractual personnel, interns, trainees, visitors, volunteers, and other stakeholders associated with the University, to the extent applicable.
The Policy shall apply to matters relating to:
- Admission and enrollment;
- Teaching and learning;
- Assessment and examinations;
- Scholarships and financial assistance;
- Research and academic opportunities;
- Recruitment and employment;
- Promotion and professional development;
- Remuneration and workplace participation;
- Hostel and residential facilities;
- Sports and extracurricular activities;
- Student clubs and societies;
- Internships and placements;
- University services and facilities; and
- Other institutional activities and opportunities.
4.2 Grounds of Non-Discrimination
The University shall take appropriate measures to prevent discrimination on grounds protected by applicable law or University policy, which may include:
- Gender;
- Gender identity or gender expression;
- Caste;
- Religion;
- Disability;
- Age;
- Nationality;
- Socioeconomic background;
- Marital or family circumstances; and
- Any other legally protected characteristic.
Nothing in this Policy shall prevent lawful affirmative measures or special provisions intended to promote equality, inclusion, accessibility, or support for disadvantaged or underrepresented groups.
4.3 Admission and Enrollment
The University shall strive to ensure that admission and enrollment processes are:
- Fair;
- Transparent;
- Inclusive;
- Merit-based where applicable; and
- Free from prohibited discrimination.
No eligible applicant shall be unfairly denied access to an academic programme or institutional opportunity on the basis of a protected characteristic.
4.4 Equal Access to Education
The University shall seek to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students.
Students shall have equitable access to:
- Academic programmes;
- Libraries and laboratories;
- Research opportunities;
- Scholarships and eligible financial assistance;
- Internships and placements;
- Clubs and societies;
- Sports and cultural activities;
- Academic mentoring; and
- Other University resources.
Reasonable measures may be considered to address legitimate accessibility or participation barriers.
4.5 Employment and Workplace Equality
The University shall promote equal opportunity in:
- Recruitment;
- Appointment;
- Training;
- Promotion;
- Professional development;
- Performance assessment;
- Remuneration;
- Workplace participation; and
- Other employment-related matters.
Employment decisions shall be based on qualifications, merit, suitability, performance, eligibility, and applicable institutional requirements.
4.6 Academic Assessment and Evaluation
Academic assessment and evaluation shall be conducted fairly and objectively in accordance with prescribed academic standards and procedures.
No student shall be unfairly disadvantaged in assessment, examination, academic progression, or other academic decisions because of a protected personal characteristic.
4.7 Scholarships and Financial Assistance
Where scholarships, financial assistance, fee concessions, or other welfare benefits are available, eligibility and selection shall be governed by transparent criteria and applicable institutional or statutory requirements.
The University shall seek to ensure that eligible individuals are not denied such opportunities through discriminatory practices.
4.8 Accessibility and Inclusion
The University shall strive to improve accessibility of academic, administrative, residential, and support facilities.
Where appropriate and feasible, reasonable measures may be considered to enable persons with disabilities and others facing legitimate participation barriers to access University facilities and services.
4.9 Prevention of Harassment and Victimization
Discrimination may take the form of direct or indirect exclusion, harassment, intimidation, humiliation, bullying, victimization, or unfair treatment.
The University shall take appropriate measures to prevent and address such conduct.
Harassment based on a protected characteristic shall be dealt with through the appropriate University grievance-redressal mechanism and applicable policies.
4.10 Respectful Communication
All members of the University community are expected to:
- Communicate respectfully;
- Avoid discriminatory or derogatory language;
- Respect differences in identity, background, culture, and personal circumstances;
- Avoid stereotyping or humiliating remarks; and
- Maintain appropriate professional and interpersonal conduct.
4.11 Reasonable Support and Accommodation
Where appropriate and feasible, the University may consider reasonable accommodations or support measures for individuals who face legitimate barriers to participation because of disability, health-related circumstances, family responsibilities, or other circumstances recognized under applicable law or University policy.
Such measures shall be considered in accordance with institutional requirements and applicable rules.
4.12 Grievance Redressal
Any student, faculty member, staff member, researcher, contractual personnel, or other stakeholder who experiences discrimination may report the matter through the appropriate University grievance-redressal mechanism.
The University shall:
- Provide accessible reporting channels;
- Handle complaints fairly and sensitively;
- Maintain confidentiality to the extent reasonably possible;
- Provide appropriate opportunity to the persons concerned;
- Take appropriate action within its jurisdiction; and
- Protect complainants and witnesses from retaliation.
Where a complaint falls within the jurisdiction of another statutory or institutional mechanism, it shall be referred to the appropriate authority in accordance with applicable rules.
4.13 Protection from Retaliation
No individual shall be threatened, intimidated, victimized, harassed, or subjected to adverse treatment for:
- Making a complaint in good faith;
- Supporting a complainant;
- Providing information or evidence;
- Participating in a grievance process; or
- Seeking assistance under this Policy.
Retaliation may constitute a separate violation of University policy.
4.14 Confidentiality and Privacy
The University shall take reasonable steps to protect the privacy of individuals involved in discrimination-related matters.
Information relating to complaints, personal circumstances, identity, supporting documentation, and grievance proceedings shall be accessed only by authorized persons on a need-to-know basis, subject to applicable law and institutional requirements.
4.15 Student Support and Mentor-Mentee System
The University shall encourage faculty mentors and student support personnel to promote an inclusive and respectful environment.
Mentors shall:
- Treat students fairly and without prejudice;
- Respect privacy and confidentiality;
- Encourage students to seek assistance when required;
- Provide appropriate academic and personal guidance; and
- Refer students to relevant University support mechanisms where necessary.
The University’s existing Mentor-Mentee framework emphasizes trust, mutual respect, empathy, confidentiality, professional boundaries, and an inclusive mentoring environment.
4.16 Awareness and Sensitization
The University shall promote awareness and sensitization through:
- Orientation programmes;
- Workshops;
- Seminars;
- Expert lectures;
- Awareness campaigns;
- Faculty and staff sensitization;
- Student-led activities; and
- Educational materials.
Programmes may address equality, diversity, inclusion, respectful communication, prevention of discrimination, and available grievance mechanisms.
4.17 Student Engagement and Inclusive Campus Culture
The University shall encourage student participation in initiatives that promote:
- Equality;
- Inclusion;
- Respect;
- Diversity;
- Mutual support; and
- Prevention of discriminatory conduct.
Student clubs, societies, peer-support initiatives, and awareness activities may be encouraged for this purpose.
4.18 Digital and Online Environment
The principles of this Policy shall extend to digital and online environments connected with University activities.
Cyberbullying, discriminatory communications, online exclusion, dissemination of discriminatory material, harassment, or other digital conduct that violates the dignity or equality of an individual shall not be tolerated.
4.19 Institutional Review of Practices
The University may periodically review its policies, procedures, forms, facilities, and institutional practices to identify and address potential discriminatory barriers.
Where appropriate, improvements shall be introduced to promote equality, accessibility, and inclusion.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
5.1 University Authorities
The University authorities shall:
- Ensure effective implementation of this Policy.
- Promote equal opportunity and non-discrimination.
- Provide appropriate institutional resources and support.
- Review institutional practices for potential discriminatory barriers.
- Ensure that complaints are addressed through appropriate mechanisms.
- Promote an inclusive institutional culture.
5.2 Heads of Departments and Supervisors
Heads of Departments and supervisors shall:
- Promote fair and respectful treatment.
- Ensure that academic and workplace decisions are made objectively.
- Avoid discriminatory practices.
- Support individuals who raise concerns.
- Refer complaints to appropriate authorities where necessary.
5.3 Faculty and Staff
Faculty members and staff shall:
- Treat students and colleagues with dignity and fairness.
- Avoid discriminatory language and conduct.
- Respect privacy and confidentiality.
- Support an inclusive educational and workplace environment.
- Cooperate with legitimate grievance processes.
5.4 Students
Students shall:
- Respect the dignity and rights of all members of the University community.
- Refrain from discriminatory, harassing, humiliating, or exclusionary conduct.
- Avoid stereotypes, derogatory remarks, and discriminatory behavior.
- Respect the privacy of others.
- Report serious incidents through appropriate channels.
- Contribute to an inclusive campus culture.
6. Health, Wellness and Support Infrastructure
The University shall utilize and, where necessary, strengthen appropriate institutional mechanisms to support equal opportunity and address discrimination, including:
- Student Counselling and Wellness Cell;
- Medical Room;
- Mentor-Mentee system;
- Grievance Redressal mechanisms;
- Student welfare services;
- Appropriate institutional committees;
- IQAC and relevant administrative authorities; and
- External professional or support services where necessary.
The University’s existing framework recognizes counselling, medical support, referrals, mentoring, wellness initiatives, and grievance mechanisms as components of a safe and supportive institutional environment.
7. Monitoring and Review
- The University shall designate an appropriate authority or committee to oversee the implementation of this Policy.
- Periodic assessments may be undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of equality and non-discrimination measures.
- Feedback from students, faculty members, staff, and other stakeholders may be considered for improving institutional practices.
- Complaints and concerns relating to discrimination shall be appropriately monitored while safeguarding confidentiality and privacy.
- Awareness and sensitization programmes shall be reviewed periodically.
- Institutional policies, procedures, forms, and practices may be reviewed to identify barriers to equal participation.
- Emerging legal requirements, institutional needs, and good practices shall be considered during policy review.
- The Policy shall be reviewed at least once every three years or earlier, if required.
8. Accountability and Transparency
- All members of the University community shall share responsibility for maintaining an environment based on equality and non-discrimination.
- University authorities shall ensure appropriate resources and institutional mechanisms for implementation of this Policy.
- Academic, employment, and administrative decisions shall be undertaken fairly and in accordance with applicable rules.
- Complaints of discrimination shall be handled professionally, fairly, sensitively, and in accordance with applicable University procedures and law.
- Appropriate corrective or disciplinary action may be taken where discriminatory conduct is established.
- The University shall protect complainants and witnesses from retaliation and victimization.
- Information regarding equal opportunity measures, support services, and grievance mechanisms shall be readily available.
- The University shall maintain transparency in policy implementation while safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of individuals.
- The University shall periodically evaluate the effectiveness of this Policy and undertake improvements wherever necessary.
- The University’s existing policy framework similarly emphasizes shared responsibility, institutional resources, professional and confidential support, and appropriate mechanisms for addressing discrimination and related grievances.
9. Equal Opportunity Statement
Kalinga University is committed to providing an environment in which every individual can learn, work, participate, and develop without discrimination. The University shall promote equal opportunity in education, employment, institutional participation, access to facilities and services, and other legitimate University activities.
The University recognizes that equality may require appropriate measures to address legitimate barriers to participation and shall strive to promote an inclusive environment in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional requirements.
10. Approval and Implementation
This Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy shall come into effect from the date of approval by the competent authority of Kalinga University and shall apply to all students, faculty members, staff, researchers, contractual personnel, and other stakeholders associated with the University.
The University shall communicate the Policy through appropriate institutional channels and shall take reasonable measures to ensure its effective implementation.
