UGC urges Higher Educational Institutions to set up Creche Facilities

New Delhi: In response to the Ministry of Labour & Employment’s notification regarding the establishment of creche facilities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) across the country to take prompt action in compliance with these regulations. The UGC’s call for action comes as part of its commitment to promoting inclusivity and supporting the welfare of faculty, staff, and students within the higher education sector.

To ensure the welfare of working mothers, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has notified the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2024. This amendment mandates that every establishment with fifty or more employees must provide creche facilities within a prescribed distance, either separately or as part of common facilities.

To support the implementation of this mandate, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has formulated the National Guidelines for Setting Up and Running Creches under the Maternity Benefit Act, 2024.

Affiliated colleges are also instructed to disseminate this information among their staff and ensure full compliance. The guidelines can be downloaded from the Ministry’s official website, www.wcd.nic.in.