Context: This article highlights the concerns over the findings of a survey of human resource managers which mentions unethical practices in various organizations and need for better implementation of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) guideline, Mulya Pravah 2.0, which seeks to inculcate human values and professional ethics in higher education institutions. 

• The focus is on building value-based institutions that resonate with fundamental duties and constitutional values, urging a commitment to integrity and ethical conduct.

About Mulya Pravah 2.0 

• Aim: To build value-based institutions by orienting individuals and institutions towards developing a deep respect for fundamental duties and constitutional values and bonding with the country.

Focus On

• Need for Transparency: It underscores the need for utmost transparency in administration and highlights that decision-making in higher education institutions must be solely guided by institutional and public interest.

• Abolition for Discriminatory Privileges: It seeks to abolish the discriminatory privileges of officials and calls the administration to punish the corrupt. 

• It lays stress on encouraging persons at all levels to think and give their advice freely.

• Requirement: The guideline requires higher education administration to conduct matters ensuring accountability, transparency, fairness, honesty, and the highest degree of ethics. 

• Potential Development: It reminds them to act in the best interest of their institution, create a conducive culture and work environment for teaching, learning, and research and develop the potential of their institution. 

• Positive Attitude: It asserts that officers and staff must refrain from misappropriating financial and other resources, and refuse to accept anything that may affect their impartial performance of duties.

• Disclosure of Information: Higher education institutions must be mandated to voluntarily disclose all critical information and subject themselves to public scrutiny. They must put up their annual reports and audited accounts in the public domain.

• Issue of Confidentiality: It runs counter to the right of information as an instrument to ensure accountability. 

• Accountability: Need to upload agendas, proceedings and minutes of the meetings of their decision-making bodies, sub-committees and standing committees. 

• Expectations: Mulya Pravah 2.0 expects staff and student unions to support the administration in development activities and raise issues in a dignified manner.

• Challenge: The guideline does not define what ‘dignified manner’ entails, the provision could be misused.

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.

Key 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.

Road Ahead

• 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.

• The ultimate goal of education should be to enhance the quality and integrity of the education system while protecting individual rights and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.