Bridge courses, opportunities to earn during studies, and creation of "equal opportunity cells" are among the measures proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to provide a level playing field to students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities entering higher education institutions. The measures, outlined in draft guidelines which has been shared with colleges and universities, are aimed at making higher education institutions "more inclusive, equitable and sensitive" to students who come from socially backward communities such as SCs, STs, and OBCs (non-creamy layer), minorities, as well as economically weaker sections. Women and transgenders are also classified as disadvantaged under the guidelines, underlining that "those belonging to underrepresented groups have multiple disadvantages". In classifying the groups, the UGC has followed the National Education Policy, 2020. According to the draft, the bridge courses, which every college or university is expected to develop, will be helpful for newly admitted students in making the transition to studying in higher education institutions. "It is aimed at helping the moderate and below moderate level students belonging to the SEDGs (socio-economically disadvantaged groups) at the entry-level to bridge the gap between the subjects studied at the previous level and those to be examined at the entry level of the new academic programme that the students have been admitted to. It provides an adequate foundation in the core subjects so that such students do not have difficulty when the classes commence," notes the draft. Over the years, many studies have pointed out the key to reduce dropouts among students hailing from vulnerable communities at the level of higher education was to ensure that they don't find the college atmosphere, including the behaviour of teachers and peers as well as the academic load, too hostile and burdensome. These factors, when unaddressed, also affect them mentally, driving them to take extreme steps in many cases. During the recent meeting of the IIT council, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also stressed on the need to make campuses free of all forms of discrimination. One of the objectives of the proposed equal opportunity cell in every institute, states the draft, will be to ensure proper implementation of all laws against discrimination and atrocities against SCs and STs and protect the constitutional rights of all socially-economically disadvantaged students. Once formed, these cells "shall act as a statutory umbrella body over the existing cells such as the SC/ST cell, OBC cell" , adds the draft guidelines. The other proposed measure "Earn-while-Learn" attempts to mitigate the economic hardships of learning and enhance the learner's adaptability on the campuses, it says. "The Earn-while-Learn Scheme initiative will help to reduce the dropout rate. The proper and effective implementation of the scheme will further minimize their parents' burden of their education expenses. This initiative will have a positive impact on the student's career. On one hand, students are earning some extra money, while on the other, they are getting work experience and hands-on training while studying, something that needs to encouraged in our education system," notes the draft,
