Preamble: India is a country of diversity. It is a hub of different religions, castes and cultures. However, the Indian society is characterized by a highly entrenched system of social stratification. It is these social inequalities that created the barriers of denial of access to materials, cultural and educational resources to the disadvantaged groups of society. These disadvantaged groups are SCs, STs, women, OBC (non-creamy layer), minorities and physically challenged persons. It is clear from the demographic factors that a large section of population of our country is still disadvantaged and marginalized. Rigid compartmentalized caste system forced SCs to be socially deprived to render services without any claim on returns. The deprivation of dignity, identity and rights resulted in their dehumanization and humiliation. The toils and tears of STs were not very different from those of SCs. The STs were isolated, neglected and exploited. Both SCs and STs continue to suffer from social disabilities even today. Women, victims of the past traditions and customs of the Indian society, were considered to be unequal and inferior. Even today women are being oppressed. Since gender disparity is known to lead to serious social imbalance, it is essential to neutralize these distortions of the past.

Aims and Objectives:

1. To oversee the effective implementation of policies and programmes for disadvantaged groups, to provide guidance and counselling with respect to academic, financial, social and other matters and to enhance the diversity within the campus.

Functions of the Equal Opportunity Cell:

• i. To ensure equity and equal opportunity to the community at large in the college and bring about social inclusion.
• ii. To enhance the diversity among the students, teaching and non-teaching staff population and at the same time eliminate the perception of discrimination.
• iii. To create a socially congenial atmosphere for academic interaction and for the growth of healthy interpersonal relationships among the students coming from various social backgrounds.
• iv. To make efforts to sensitize the academic community regarding the problems associated with social exclusion as well as aspirations of the marginalized communities.
• v. To help individuals or a group of students belonging to the disadvantaged section of society to contain the problems related to discrimination.
• vi. To look into the grievances of the weaker section of society and suggest amicable solution to their problems.
• vii. To disseminate the information related to schemes and programmes for the welfare of the socially weaker section as well as notifications/memoranda, office orders of the Government, or other related agencies/organizations issued from time to time.
• viii. To prepare barrier free formalities/procedures for admission/ registration of students belonging to the disadvantaged groups of society.
• ix. To adopt measures to ensure due share of utilization by SC/ST in admissions, recruitments (teaching and non-teaching posts) and to improve their performances. xii. To sensitize the college on the problems of SC/ST and other disadvantaged groups.