US EditionProtests, resignations: Why uproar over new UGC equity regulations has intensified
- On Monday , opposition to the University Grants Commission 's Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 intensified, while a sustained fortnight-long campaign by students and parents gained traction nationally.
- On January 13, 2026, the University Grants Commission notified the 2026 regulations, replacing its 2012 anti-discrimination framework after a draft circulated in 2025.
- Regulatory language removes safeguards for false-complaint penalties and redefines covered discrimination, mandating Equity Committees with OBC, SC, ST, persons with disabilities, and women while excluding the general category.
- Administrative and party figures began resigning in protest, with Bareilly City Magistrate Alank Agnihotri and ten office-bearers of the Lucknow unit quitting on Monday , alongside Raju Pandit, BJP Yuva Morcha Noida vice-president.
- A Public Interest Litigation issued on January 13 reached the Supreme Court, filed by Mrityunjay Tiwari, prompting calls from student bodies and a senior academic to withdraw or nullify the regulations.
44 Articles
44 Articles
New UGC regulations: Prevent scope for misuse
Protests against the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations for higher educational institutions are increasing. On Tuesday, students belonging to the general category staged protests outside the UGC head office and also in Lucknow, Patna, Rae Bareli, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur, Jaipur and other cities of North India. General category students fear that the new regulations could be used against them in any conflict with students belongin…
SC agrees to hear plea against UGC regulation which allegedly adopts ‘non-inclusionary’ definition of caste-based discrimination.
SC agrees to hear plea against UGC regulation which allegedly adopts ‘non-inclusionary’ definition of caste-based discrimination. SC agrees to hear plea against UGC regulation which allegedly adopts ‘non-inclusionary’ definition of caste-based discrimination.
Legitimises ‘reverse discrimination’: Plea in Supreme Court challenges UGC’s new equity regulations for higher education
A Supreme Court plea challenges the UGC's 2026 Equity Regulations, arguing that the exclusion of General category students from 'caste-based discrimination' protections violates Article 14.
UGC New Rules 2026: What Are Equity Regulations And Why Are There Protests Against Them?
UGC New Equity Rules 2026: The protestors at the UGC headquarters have alleged that General category students or others, apart from reserved category candidates, can not raise their complaints
Protests, resignations: Why uproar over new UGC equity regulations has intensified
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has stirred the pot with its Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, notified on January 13. Under the new rules, the statutory body defines ‘caste-based discrimination’ as discrimination ‘only on the basis of caste or tribe’ against members of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). But why has this caused a row?
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
