Kerala will launch the Siddharth Student Welfare App to enable anonymous audio reporting of ragging and campus safety issues, alongside 300 centres to promote scientific temper for 15 lakh youths, in an effort to modernize student welfare.

The first sub-centre of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Scientific Temper will be inaugurated at Government Women’s College with Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Higher Education Minister Roji M John in attendance.

The science initiative, steered by the Kerala State Higher Education Council, will offer online courses, handbooks, and video reels on scientific temper, including an online course developed with the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT).

The project emphasizes constitutional duties and national coordination for science communication, citing Article 51A(h) and the National Council for Science and Technology Communication as guiding bodies.

Officials including Roji M. John, KSHEC officials, and GCW principal Umajyothi V. attended the event, underscoring that campuses should foster creative thinking and constructive discussion rather than conflict.

The initiative is named in memory of Jawaharlal Nehru to promote scientific temper, emphasising inquiry, evidence-based understanding, and alignment with emerging technologies rather than opposing religious beliefs.

Officials said the programs would evolve with changing tech and job needs, with the app piloted in selected institutions before broader rollout and a possible separate anti-ragging legislation.

A draft Siddharth Anti-Ragging Act is being considered to provide a legal framework and enable a state anti-ragging commission.

Roji M. John indicated plans for the Siddharth Anti-Ragging Act to support a state anti-ragging commission as part of broader student welfare measures.

The state government is weighing the Siddharth Anti-Ragging Act to establish a legal framework and a state-level anti-ragging commission within its welfare package.

The initiative addresses past controversies surrounding student welfare, including the death of J.S. Sidharthan, memorialized through the app.

A Student Aspiration Survey will be released to gauge higher education students’ expectations and aspirations as part of welfare and science-education efforts.