AICLET

Staying in a hostel is an enjoyable and significant part of a students’ life. It’s an important lesson of independence, responsibility, and provides an opportunity to socialize with individuals of a different background. However, together with the freedom, living away from home, students also need to know some of the laws that guarantee their rights and ensure they stay safe. These laws let you feel safe in the hands of the Indian legal system and knowing them can keep you away from any trouble and defend their rights without being scared.

5 major laws that every student staying in hostels in India should know

The Right to Safety & Protection from Harassment: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 & Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections on Sexual Harassment

The basic right of students who live in hostels is to be free of harassment and abuse. The POCSO Act has been very powerful in giving a legal shield to minors (under 18 years of age) against sexual acts such as harassment or any assault. Students who are older than 18 have rights against any type of molestation, stalking, or sexual harassment as enforced by the IPC.

In case a student encounters unacceptable physical touch by another student or employee or vexing comments, he/she can submit a police complaint and the offender may be penalized under such acts. Hostels will be expected to sustain a safe environment and prevent such behaviour.

Right to Privacy: Indian Constitution, Article 21 (Right to Privacy)

Every human being is entitled to privacy and this is also the case with schooling students living in hostels. In various words, neither the government nor your fellow students or hostel authorities should intrude in your personal space or even touch your personal property without your consent.

For example, If hostel staff enter your room or check your personal items without informing you or valid reason, it can be challenged legally as an invasion of privacy. But there are exceptions when the safety checks are actually legitimate or there is an emergency situation on board.

Right to Freedom and Expression of Religious Rights: Indian Constitution Article 19(1)(a) and 25

As the students come from diverse backgrounds, this law protects their beliefs and practices ensuring there is no discrimination or interference as long as it doesn’t affect others. 

For example, if a student is celebrating janamastami, diwali, eid, etc. they are allowed to do so until they are not forcing others to celebrate with them or doing something that is harming the rights of others.

Right Against Discrimination: Indian Constitution, Article 15

On the basis of caste, religion, gender, or place of origin, it is unlawful to discriminate against anybody in any public place which even hostels are. Hostels are not allowed to reject your entry or discriminate against you based on your person.

For example, when a hostel denies one a room or limits its facilities due to gender or religion, then Article 15 is violated. To seek help, you may contact legal authorities or even write to higher persons in authority and get it sorted.

Cyber Safety and Online Conduct: Information Technology Act, 2000 & IPC Sections on Cyber Crimes

In this digital era, the students tend to post pictures, videos, or messages on the internet. The IT Act guards against cyberbullying, harassment and distribution of obscene or offensive content. Using videos or pictures without the consent of the other party is also illegal.

For example, when someone who is your classmate and equals you in age posts indecent pictures of you online or popularizes rumours on social networks, you can make a complaint within the framework of cyber laws. The hostel must also ensure its strategies are geared towards prevention and solution of cyber harassment among its students. 

The Importance of Knowing these Laws

Laws knowledge can be of benefit to students of hostels: 

1. Protect against abuse, discrimination, or right violation.
2. Stand up and say something when injustice is practiced. 
3. Maintain a respectful living environment that is safe.
4. Engage disputes legally instead of allowing matters to come fully blown.

In conclusion, Always read and understand the hostel's rules, they should align with the law.

In case you or someone is being harassed or discriminated against, it is important to report it to authorities or adults you trust as soon as possible. It is necessary to remember that the law is in your favor and will help you to guarantee your safe, impartial, and joyous stay. 

Simply put, a hostel is the new home and one has the right to stay peacefully in a hostel. Being familiar with these laws will give you the confidence that you can hold onto your rights and concentrate on your studies and personal development in a positive environment.

The Supreme Court on Monday was agitated over the wave of suicides among students in leading educational institutions and took suo motu cognizance of the two recent cases involving IIT-Kharagpur and Sharda University. The Court stated that "something is seriously wrong with the educational system" and ordered both the universities to submit in-depth reports.

A bench headed by Chief Justice warned institutions that they could be held in contempt if they failed to file FIRs within time. "It is not an isolated case. We need to know why the students are being pushed to take extreme steps," the bench observed.

The accident is the sequel to the sudden death of Ritam Mondal, who was a fourth-year student of IIT-Kharagpur studying mechanical engineering, and was spotted hanging from the ceiling of his hostel room on July 18. He is the fourth student to have committed suicide this year on the campus. IIT officials also stated that Mondal's recent behavior showed no indication of mental turmoil. A fact-finding committee has been formed, and the institution assured full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

Another student suicide at Sharda University has joined the chorus of criticism against the campus mental health care and pressure-cooker academic environment in Indian higher education.

The Court has directed the two universities to submit detailed reports on student welfare mechanisms, grievance redressal mechanism, and past history of any such incidents. The case has been adjourned for further hearing next Monday.

The Supreme Court action is a testament to growing judicial alarm about student mental health, forcing colleges to reconsider the emotional and psychological price of college life—and move quickly before lives are lost once more.

The country has experienced a type of political occasion that has rarely been seen, the resignation of the Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar way before his tenure ended. The step has raised a lot of concerns concerning the constitutional process of the country and the way forward. 

Who Takes over the Vice-President Now?

The Indian Constitution has not envisaged an acting Vice-President. Nevertheless, given that the Vice-President happens to be the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), the onus to preside over the House, albeit temporarily passes to the Deputy Chairman. At this point, the Deputy Chairman, Harivansh Narayan Singh will assume the mantle and make sure that work of the Rajya Sabha would proceed.

When Will the Election Take Place?

The Constitution sets no timeline of a maximum in which the Vice-President position should be filled unlike the case with the President job which requires a vacancy to be filled within six months. All that the constitution demands is that the election should be held as soon as possible. This very vital poll will be announced by the Election Commission of India. The poll is conducted in compliance with the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Acts of 1952, as per the set standards of parliamentary procedures.

How Many Years will the New Vice- President Serve?

The individual that is appointed to be a new Vice-President does not merely finish the term of Dhankhar. New candidates on the other hand will have completed a full term of five years on the date of assuming office. The habit assures stability and keeps the sanctity of the constitutional posture.

What is the Election of the Vice-President?

And here is what happens in the time of a Vice-Presidential election:

1. Electoral College: It is made up of the members of both Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as well as the nominated members. This is devoid of state legislatures. 
2. Voting Process: The process of voting takes place on a secret ballot at the Parliament House, where a proportional representation based on a single transferable vote is adopted. The voters are ranked through the preference of MPs by rank and each vote is equally valued.

Winning Quota: A candidate has to win a mathematical quota to win: Quota=(Total Valid Votes/2)+1 

Fractions (where you have them) are disregarded. Otherwise, in the case where nobody gets to this threshold in the initial count, the candidate who has the least number of first-preference votes is excluded, and their votes are handed to other contestants depending on the second choice vote; the same procedure is repeated until one of them surpasses the quota. 

Eligibility criteria for Vice president 

• Must be 35 or above
• Must be a citizen of India.
• Must qualify as a member of Rajya Sabha.
• Must not hold any office of profit under the state or central government.
• Must be registered as an elector in any parliamentary constituency.

The resignation of the vice president after the middle of his term is a big thing but there is no risk of the discontinuity of the administration because of the Constitution and the Indian parliamentary practices. The processes demonstrate the flexibility of Indian democracy, as it offers a smooth transition, even in an exceptional case. The next election is not only going to fill a gap but it will also commence a new term of the second highest constitutional office that the post of Vice president holds in India.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has ordered the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) not to displace tribals of Bhangshila Pada without due process of law.

In its order on May 26, 2025, it also ordered action to be taken under different sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against people who were obstructing the supply of water and electricity and the tribals' access road.

The battle for land ownership between the institution and the tribals commenced in 2007. In Jan this year, IIT-B, citing a Bombay High Court judgment of Jan 2, 2025, declared the tribals were in illegal and unauthorised occupation of land (Survey No. 22 and CTS No. 67) and claimed IIT-B to be the owner of the land. The notice threatened the tribals withforcible eviction in accordance with law for not vacating.

The tribals, therefore, issued a legal notice to the institution stating that they have been in unbroken possession of the land ever since the British period. Two years back, the Sarpanch of the village, Meena Raote, complained to the Commission that in 2007, after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT-B and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the tribals were held as encroachers and were being forcibly removed. Raote asserted that the property card is in her grandfather's name but there is no basic infrastructure. She added that according to a 2013 biometric survey, the tribal families are being termed encroachers.

The Commission, in 2023, instructed the suburban collector of Mumbai to file a report. In its report, the collector noted that 10,000 square meters of land belonging to IIT-B was purchased for the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road widening project. 137 slum residents were found in a survey conducted by NGO SPARC in 2010, and 97 accepted rehabilitation while others, including some tribal families, declined.

The Commission had conducted a hearing in May this year and directed a stay against the eviction of the tribals. In another turn of events, the Kurla Tehsildar instructed the BMC not to seal off the entry road to Bhangshila Pada."The Bhangshila Tribal Pada habitations are old and for their minimum necessities, an ambulance entry, domestic use of gas cylinder, and movement of other daily necessities is required. Therefore, to seal their entry is not appropriate. Thus, they shall be allowed to go in and out by your security," states the letter. IIT-B has been requested by the panel to provide documents proving its land ownership.

In a significant victory for Telangana holders of technical diplomas, the Telangana High Court has ruled in favour of Kampela Harish, allowing him to participate in the DEECET-2025 counselling process. The order was issued by Justice K. Lakshman, recognizing Harish's Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering as being equivalent to the Intermediate (10+2) level for securing admission into Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) and Pre-School Education courses.

Harish of Arunakka Nagar, Srirampur, completed his diploma in 2015 from State Board of Technical Education and Training, Telangana. He had scored rank 3,945 in DEECET-2025 entrance test. But during certificate verification, he was disallowed further appearance as officials cited the lack of Intermediate qualification.

Undeterred, Harish filed a June 18, 2025, representation, together with an official certificate of equivalence given on June 16 by the Deputy Secretary (Academic), and a supporting Government Order (GO Ms. No. 112 dated October 27, 2001), which authenticated the diploma as equivalent to Intermediate.

Referring to these documents, the High Court observed that a government order and a technical board have already accepted the diploma equivalent to 10+2. Departments cannot contradict each other. "Government departments must speak with one voice," Justice Lakshman said.

The court then ordered the DEECET-2025 convenor and the School Education Department to verify Harish's documents and, if otherwise qualified, allow him to proceed with counselling and admission without raising any objections.

This ruling is a solid precedent for degree awardees competing for admission to teaching training colleges. It emphasizes the importance of policy clarity and departmental coordination, and it supports the Telangana state technical graduates who are unjustly pushed aside by procedural ambiguity.

To the potential DEECET-2025 and future candidates, this decision gives added significance to access to recourse in law and the growing recognizability of technical education as a serious academic endeavor for a career in teaching and early child education.

On July 14, 2025, a key case concerning revision of electoral rolls in Bihar will be heard by the Supreme Court of India. The case holds significance to the voters, political parties and any individual who is interested in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. 

What is Bihar Electoral Roll Revision Case?

Recently the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed that the roll of Bihar be taken through Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This means that all the voters in Bihar will be required to once again submit some documents which will identify them as an eligible voter.

According to ECI, such action is necessary so as to eliminate ineligible voters, include new eligible voters and make sure that the voter list is studied before the forthcoming assembly elections will be conducted in October-November 2025.

Why Is the Case in the Supreme Court?

There are various petitions, which have been challenged against the decision of ECI. The petitioners are none other than political leaders, activists and organizations, such as the Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, RJD MP Manoj Jha, activists Yogendra Yadav, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). They state that the SIR process is unconstitutional and arbitrary. They are afraid that it may result in banning lakhs of eligible voters especially those who are unable to produce in time the documents sought. They are also claiming that the process was overloading ordinary citizens and might affect free and fair elections.   

What are the Major Concerns? 

• Rigid Deadline: This requires voters to present their documents before July 25, 2025, or else they will be dropped out of the voter roll. Crores of voters think this is very less time.
• Document Problems: Documents that are widely advertised such as Aadhaar cards might not allow entry. They also require a proof of identity of the parents, and this may not be easy to produce by many people.
• Risk of Disenfranchisement: Millions of people are in danger of being disenfranchised because they will be unable to satisfy the requirement before the deadline, in particular, migrants and poor people.
• Political influence: There is that opposition parties are afraid that the revision may influence the results of the forthcoming elections by disenfranchising real voters.

What Does the Election Commission Do?

According to the ECI, the revision will have to be made as a result of the high pace of urban growth, migration, and elimination of those not eligible to vote and elements who cast duplicate votes, such as the illegal immigrants. According to the commission, over a half of Bihar voters have already filed their new forms. It guarantees that those who would fail the July 25 deadline could still file their documents at the stage of Claims and Objections after which a final list would be released.

What will be Next?

It will be argued on July 14, 2025 at the Supreme Court bench (and will be led by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia). The court can determine if the order issued by the ECI is valid or requires modifications or should be put at hold (delayed) until a final decision is reached. It will influence the preparation of voter lists in Bihar and may end up being a precedent in other states.

What Does This Mean to the Voters?

The case will rule whether the new voter verification process will maintain or have a change. The decision had implications on the right of every eligible citizen of exercising the right to vote.  It lays stress on the necessity of maintaining correct voter lists without omitting any actual voter.

In summary, the Supreme Court is reviewing whether the Bihar electoral roll revision is fair and constitutional because the case affects millions of voters and the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Both the ECI and petitioners have their strong arguments out forward about voter rights and election fairness which is why the SC is being involved to give a final verdict.