Justice Vikram Nath Addresses IIT Delhi On National Youth Day; NALSA Launches Student Awareness Resource On Ragging
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, observed National Youth Day at the IIT Delhi campus on 12 January 2026, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and reaffirming the role of youth in nation-building through values, discipline, and social responsibility.
The programme was graced by Justice Vikram Nath, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, NALSA, as the Chief Guest. The event brought together students, faculty members, and senior officials from NALSA and IIT Delhi to deliberate on student well-being, mental health, and the importance of safe and inclusive educational spaces.
During the programme, Justice Vikram Nath formally released the NALSA's Student Awareness Resource on Ragging, 2026, an initiative aimed at enhancing student legal awareness on prevention of ragging and protection of dignity in educational institutions. The resource seeks to empower students with clear information on what constitutes ragging, available safeguards, and avenues for seeking timely legal assistance.
The programme was attended by NALSA officials, including Shri Sanjiv Pandey, Member Secretary, NALSA, and Shri Kunal Vepa, Director, NALSA, along with senior academic leadership of IIT Delhi, including Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; Prof. Arvind K. Nema, Deputy Director (Operations), IIT Delhi; Prof. B.K. Panigrahi, Dean, Student Affairs, IIT Delhi; and Prof. Sreedevi Upadhyayula, Associate Dean (Student Welfare), IIT Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Vikram Nath emphasised that ragging is a misuse of power that undermines dignity and causes fear & embarrassment. Justice Nath observed that mentorship, guidance, and inclusion leave a far deeper impression than intimidation, noting that true strength lies in making others feel safe and confident rather than in dominance. Drawing upon the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, Justice Nath stated that true education must integrate both knowledge and character, intellect and empathy. Justice Nath further remarked that, much like engineering, life itself is a process of learning and refinement, stating, “We build, we test, we fail safely, we learn, and we iterate.” Referring to constitutional values, Justice Nath noted that the Fundamental Duties call upon citizens to cultivate scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform, and highlighted that the NALSA's Student Awareness Resource on Ragging, 2026 is intended to empower students with clarity about their rights and available support mechanisms.
The leadership of IIT Delhi highlighted the institute's comprehensive student welfare framework, including its zero-tolerance policy towards ragging, structured mentorship programmes, counselling services, and preventive well-being initiatives.
The initiative reflects NALSA's continued commitment to promoting legal awareness, making legal aid accessible, safeguarding student dignity, and nurturing campuses that are safe, respectful, and conducive to holistic growth.