SEDG Cell

1. Preamble

Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce, hereinafter is referred to as “the College”  committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice in higher education. In alignment with the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDG) Cell is established at Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce, Belagavi to support undergraduate students from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds and to ensure equal access, participation, and success in academic and co-curricular activities.

2. Objectives of the SEDG Cell

The objectives of the SEDG Cell of Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce are to:

• Protect and promote all constitutional rights of students belonging to Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
• Ensure that the Higher Education Institution (HEI) is inclusive, safe, secure, and non-discriminatory for SEDGs students.
• Provide socio-emotional and academic support, mentoring, and guidance to SEDGs students through structured counselling and continuous monitoring mechanisms.
• Ensure proper implementation and monitoring of orientation programmes, bridge courses, and remedial initiatives designed by the HEI for the benefit of SEDGs students.
• Ensure effective implementation of programmes and activities developed by the HEI to enhance the participation of SEDGs students in academic, co-curricular, and extension activities.
• Ensure implementation of Government of India and State Government policies, including reservation policies and various schemes, programmes, facilities, and guidelines meant for SEDGs students.
• Facilitate the development and execution of appropriate outreach programmes to enable SEDGs students to avail educational and academic opportunities offered by the HEI.
• Ensure proper implementation of preventive measures and applicable laws against discrimination, harassment, and atrocities, and provide safeguards for students belonging to SEDGs categories.
• Circulate, publicise, facilitate, and monitor the implementation of all UGC and Government guidelines, advisories, and instructions issued from time to time concerning SEDGs.
• Redress grievances and complaints of SEDGs students through the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) within a stipulated period of 15 days, ensuring confidentiality, safety, privacy, and dignity of the complainant.

3. Scope and Coverage

The SEDG Cell of Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall cater to undergraduate students belonging to:

• Scheduled Castes (SC)
• Scheduled Tribes (ST)
• Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer)
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
• Minorities
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
• Migrant students and first-generation learners
• Orphaned, single-parent, or otherwise vulnerable students
• Any other group identified by UGC or Government of India from time to time

4. Composition of the SEDG Cell

The SEDG Cell of Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall have the following composition:

1. Chairperson –
2. Senior Professor – Member
3. In-charge, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) – Member
4. Coordinator / Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) – Member
5. SC/ST Representative – Member
6. OBC Representative – Member
7. Two Student Representatives belonging to SEDGs (one male and one female) – Members
8. Administrative Officer – Member Secretary

* Chairperson and members to be nominated by Head of the HEI

The composition of the SEDG Cell shall ensure adequate representation, inclusivity, and gender balance, and shall function in accordance with UGC guidelines and institutional norms.

5. Functions of the SEDG Cell

The SEDG Cell of Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall perform the following functions in accordance with UGC guidelines:

1. Coordinate with other existing cells and statutory bodies of the HEI to enable effective implementation of existing schemes and provisions, including scholarships and fellowships of the Government of India and respective State Governments.
2. Ensure the implementation and monitoring of orientation programmes, bridge courses, earn-while-learn schemes, and outreach programmes designed and developed by the HEI for SEDGs students.
3. Provide socio-economic, academic, and psychological support and mentoring to SEDGs students through structured counselling and mentoring programmes.
4. Ensure sensitization of faculty, staff, counsellors, and students on SEDGs-related issues and promote their inclusion in all academic and institutional activities of the HEI.
5. Explore, mobilize, and generate funds from various sources such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), alumni, and philanthropic organizations to provide additional financial assistance and scholarships to SEDGs students, thereby mitigating opportunity costs and educational expenses.
6. Coordinate with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to create awareness and support the implementation of policies related to inclusive and equitable quality higher education.
7. Function as a “Single Window System” for SEDGs students to address grievances, access basic needs, amenities, facilities, welfare measures, and information related to scholarships and fellowships.
8. Upload, disseminate, and regularly update guidelines, facilities, welfare provisions, and safety measures for SEDGs students on the HEI’s official portal, and maintain records for review and monitoring to ensure a safe and secure campus environment.
9. Circulate, publicize, and facilitate welfare schemes such as remedial coaching, entry-into-services coaching, and residential coaching for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), Minority Community, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) students.
10. Establish and coordinate a team of counsellors, social workers, and faculty members to provide emotional, social, and psychological support to SEDGs students for their effective adaptation to the HEI environment.
11. Focus on the overall personality development and skill enhancement of SEDGs students, including professional skills, employability skills, and soft skills, to improve their career prospects.
12. Organize periodic meetings of the SEDG Cell to monitor the progress and effectiveness of various schemes, and maintain a comprehensive database of schemes and beneficiaries related to SEDGs.
13. Create awareness among faculty, staff, students, and service professionals regarding facilities, schemes, and support systems available for SEDGs students.
14. Sensitize all students to bring about attitudinal change towards SEDGs and ensure their active participation in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities of the HEI.
15. Hold regular meetings with representatives of SEDGs students to understand their concerns and grievances, and interact with the management and authorities of the HEI to facilitate discussion and resolution, while maintaining confidentiality of deliberations and data.
16. Review, monitor, and ensure redressal and disposal of all grievances of SEDGs students within a stipulated period of 15 days.
17. Inform all students during induction and counselling sessions about the institution’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination, harassment, or exclusion.

6. Student Support Measures

Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall ensure:

• Academic support through mentoring, remedial teaching, and peer learning.
• Financial guidance and facilitation of government and institutional scholarships.
• Counseling and psychological support services.
• Access to infrastructure and learning resources, including digital facilities.
• Inclusive participation of students in cultural, sports, and extension activities.

7. Grievance Redressal Mechanism

• The SEDG Cell of Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall act as a facilitative body for resolving issues faced by disadvantaged students.
• Complaints may be submitted verbally or in writing to the Coordinator of the Cell.
• All grievances shall be handled confidentially, sensitively, and promptly.
• Serious cases shall be referred to the appropriate statutory committee of the College.

8. Awareness and Capacity Building

Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall:

• Conduct orientation programs for students and staff on inclusive practices.
• Organize sensitization workshops on gender equality, social justice, and diversity.
• Celebrate important days related to social empowerment and inclusion.

9. Monitoring and Evaluation

• The functioning of the SEDG Cell at Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall be reviewed annually.
• Feedback from students shall be collected to improve services.
• Action-taken reports shall be documented for quality assurance and accreditation purposes.

10. Policy Review

This policy of Rani Parvati Devi College of Arts and Commerce shall be reviewed periodically in accordance with:

• UGC regulations and advisories
• Government of India and State Government directives
• Institutional needs and best practices

• se with industry partners, recruiters, and training agencies.
• Maintain placement records, statistics, and reports.
• Coordinate with departments for student participation.

5.3 Students

 Rules.

• Once a student is placed, participation in further drives may be regulated to ensure equitable opportunities.
• All placement-related communication shall be routed through the CGPC.

8. INDUSTRY AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

• The CGPC shall establish MoUs with industries, corporate houses, and training organizations.
• Alumni shall be encouraged to support mentoring, internships, and placements.

9. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

• The CGPC shall prepare an annual action plan and submit an annual report.
• Placement statistics and student progression data shall be analyzed for continuous improvement.
• Feedback from students, recruiters, and alumni shall be used to enhance effectiveness.

10. POLICY REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS

This policy shall be reviewed periodically (at least once in three years) or as required, and amendments may be made with the approval of the competent authority.

11. EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy shall come into force from the date of approval by the Governing Body.