Mulya Pravah 2.0 – An ambitious push for values, ethics in higher education

General Studies Paper -2

Context: The article discusses the Mulya Pravah 2.0 guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission. These guidelines aim to promote ethics and values in higher education.

What is Mulya Pravah 2.0?

• Mulya Pravah 2.0 is an updated guideline from the University Grants Commission (UGC) aimed at promoting ethical practices and human values in higher education institutions. It was introduced following unethical practices highlighted by a human resource managers’ survey, such as favoritism, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination in various organizational processes. The guideline’s primary focus is on building value-based institutions by developing respect for fundamental duties, constitutional values, and national bonding.

Key aspects of Mulya Pravah 2.0 include:

• Transparency: It emphasizes transparent administration and decision-making based on institutional and public interest, free from biases.
• Accountability and Ethics: Institutions are expected to ensure integrity, fairness, and high ethical standards in their administration.
• Inclusivity and Respect: The guideline encourages respect for constitutional values, inclusiveness, and global citizenship.
• Confidentiality vs. Public Scrutiny: While it stresses confidentiality, this contrasts with the right to information for accountability. Institutions are urged to disclose critical information publicly.
• Role of Teachers and Staff: Teachers are expected to be role models, maintaining good conduct and standards. Staff and students’ unions should support administration constructively.

What are the concerns related to Mulya Pravah 2.0?

• Suppression of Dissent: The guidelines may inadvertently suppress different opinions, crucial for institutional growth.
• Vague Terminology: Terms like ‘dignified manner’ for raising issues are not clearly defined, leading to potential misuse and misinterpretation.
• Threat to Unions: There’s a concern that the guidelines could be used to undermine the voices of staff and student unions. Past instances of banning and suspending unions and accusing their representatives suggest a risk of similar actions under these guidelines.

Way forward

To improve Mulya Pravah 2.0, clear definitions of terms like ‘dignified manner’ should be provided to prevent misuse. Ensuring a balance between confidentiality and public scrutiny is crucial. The guidelines should foster open dialogue and respect diverse opinions, especially from unions, to strengthen the integrity and growth of higher education institutions.