MBBS Ragging Case at Bijnor Medical College: 13 Students Named, NMC Inquiry Launched

A serious ragging incident has been reported at Mahatma Vidur Autonomous State Medical College in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, where senior MBBS students allegedly subjected a junior to physical harassment, including head shaving. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has launched an investigation after a complaint was filed by the victim's father, naming 13 senior students. This case highlights ongoing safety concerns at the college and raises important questions for NEET-UG aspirants about hostel culture and institutional accountability when choosing a medical college.

What Happened: The Ragging Incident at Bijnor Medical College

On 29 October 2026, a complaint was filed with the NMC regarding systematic ragging of junior MBBS students in the boys' hostel at Bijnor Medical College. According to the complaint, senior students from the 2024 batch have been regularly subjecting juniors to harassment, humiliation, and physical abuse. In one documented incident, a junior student's head was shaved as part of the ragging ritual.

The complaint alleges that ragging occurs daily between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the hostel. The victim's father reported that his son has been subjected to mental harassment, threats, and intimidation alongside the physical abuse. The complaint specifically names 10 to 13 senior students and includes their room numbers, providing detailed evidence of the incidents.

Institutional Response: NMC Inquiry and College Action

The NMC has taken the complaint seriously and directed the college principal to submit a detailed investigation report within 24 hours. The anti-ragging cell of the NMC has demanded clear answers on 11 specific points related to the ragging, mental harassment, and indecency allegations. This rapid response reflects the commission's commitment to enforcing anti-ragging rules across medical institutions.

The college principal, Dr. Lalita Chaudhary, confirmed that a preliminary investigation has been conducted and a report has been sent to the NMC. She stated that parents of the senior students named in the complaint have been called for counselling. The college has warned that students who do not improve their behaviour after this warning will face suspension.

Failure of Hostel Administration and Anti-Ragging Committee

The complaint also accuses the hostel warden of failing to take impartial action when the victim initially reported the ragging. According to the allegation, the warden did not conduct a fair investigation and allowed the matter to be swept under the carpet without meaningful intervention. This represents a critical breakdown in the hostel's duty of care toward students.

Bijnor Medical College has a 19-member anti-ragging committee comprising the principal (chair), 10 faculty members, and 8 student representatives. Despite this formal structure, the committee has failed to prevent ragging. The existence of such a committee on paper, combined with the persistence of ragging incidents, suggests that the committee functions only as a bureaucratic formality rather than an active safeguard. This raises serious questions about the college's commitment to enforcing anti-ragging rules in practice.

Pattern of Repeat Offenders: Previous Ragging Case in April 2026

This is not the first ragging incident at Bijnor Medical College. In April 2026, just six months earlier, the college administration took action against 11 students for ragging. The punishments imposed included fines ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 and suspensions ranging from 2 to 6 weeks. One student received a ₹10,000 fine and 6-week suspension, another received ₹10,000 and 4 weeks, a third received ₹5,000 and 2 weeks, and eight others received 2-week suspensions.

Alarmingly, four of the students punished in April have been named again in the current complaint. This means that despite facing fines and suspension, these students have continued to engage in ragging behaviour. The failure of disciplinary action to deter repeat offenders suggests that the college's punishment system lacks teeth or that enforcement is inconsistent. For NEET aspirants, this pattern indicates a systemic problem that goes beyond isolated incidents.

What This Means for NEET-UG Aspirants Choosing a Medical College

Ragging remains a serious concern at some medical colleges in India, despite legal prohibitions and institutional policies. When you are counselled into a college or considering your options during NEET-UG counselling, it is essential to research the college's track record on ragging. Ask direct questions during college visits or parent interactions: Has the college had ragging complaints? How are they handled? What is the anti-ragging committee's actual role?

The Bijnor case demonstrates that even colleges with formal anti-ragging committees can fail to protect students. Look beyond the existence of policies; seek information about how they are enforced. Talk to current students or alumni about the hostel culture. If you are assigned to a college with a history of ragging, know that you have legal rights: you can report incidents to the NMC's anti-ragging cell, file complaints with local police, and seek intervention from your parents and the college administration.

Legal Framework and Your Rights as an MBBS Student

Ragging is a criminal offence under Indian law. The Supreme Court has issued strict guidelines prohibiting ragging in all educational institutions, and the NMC enforces these rules across medical colleges. If you experience or witness ragging, you have the right to report it to the college's anti-ragging committee, the hostel warden, the principal, or directly to the NMC's anti-ragging cell.

The NMC maintains a dedicated anti-ragging helpline and online portal where students can lodge complaints anonymously if necessary. Colleges are required to investigate complaints within a specified timeframe and take disciplinary action against offenders. Punishments can range from warnings and fines to suspension or expulsion. As an MBBS student, your safety and mental well-being are protected by law, and you should never hesitate to report ragging, regardless of pressure or fear of retaliation.

Impact on Academic Performance and Mental Health

The complaint filed in the Bijnor case explicitly mentions that ragging has caused the victim mental distress and is affecting his studies. This is a common consequence of ragging. MBBS is already an academically demanding course, and the added stress of hostel harassment can severely impact a student's ability to concentrate, attend classes, and perform well in exams. Some students have even dropped out of medical college due to ragging.

Beyond academics, ragging can cause lasting psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, and loss of confidence. For NEET aspirants who have worked hard to secure an MBBS seat, the prospect of facing ragging in the hostel is deeply concerning. When choosing a college during counselling, prioritize institutions with a strong reputation for student safety and a demonstrable commitment to anti-ragging enforcement. If you are already in a college experiencing ragging, reach out to your parents, college counsellors, or the NMC immediately—your mental health matters as much as your medical education.

Questions to Ask During NEET-UG Counselling and College Selection

During the NEET-UG counselling process, when you are considering which college to accept, do not hesitate to ask about ragging and hostel safety. Request information about the college's anti-ragging policy, the composition and activity level of the anti-ragging committee, and the outcomes of any previous ragging complaints. Ask whether the college has a dedicated anti-ragging cell and how students can report incidents confidentially.

Speak with current MBBS students or recent alumni about their hostel experience. Ask whether they felt safe, whether they witnessed or experienced ragging, and how the college responded to complaints. If a college has a history of ragging incidents (as Bijnor Medical College does), this should factor into your decision. While no college is perfect, a transparent approach to addressing ragging and a clear commitment to student safety are signs of institutional integrity.

Frequently asked questions

Ragging remains a serious issue at some medical colleges, and the Bijnor case demonstrates that formal policies alone do not guarantee student safety. As a NEET-UG aspirant, research the anti-ragging record of colleges you are considering during counselling, speak with current students, and know your legal rights. If you experience ragging, report it immediately to the NMC and your parents—your safety and well-being come first.