The new ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026’ of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has triggered protests and demonstrations at several places, as it is being labelled as “anti-General category students” by people from upper castes.
While Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has made it clear that the new regulations have been framed under the SC directions to end oppression or discrimination in educational institutions, the opposition has attacked the Central government, alleging that it was trying to “divide people through the UGC.”
Also, an uproar is being seen among students, with many calling it biased and discriminatory against students belonging to the upper castes. Several protests were organised across the country against the new UGC regulations, with student groups and organisations demanding an immediate rollback. Moreover, a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the implementation of the new UGC regulations.
But what exactly do the new UGC regulations lay down that has caused so much stir? Here’s a detailed look at the new provisions.
Decoding new Regulations
The UGC released a new set of regulations under Regulation 3(c), “Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026” for grievance redressal and supporting disadvantaged groups across universities and colleges. The regulations were published in the Government of India Gazette on 13 January 2026. The new regulation will replace a 2012 anti-discrimination framework and require higher education institutions (HEIs) to implement it.
According to the UGC’s new regulations, every higher education institution will have to establish an equal opportunity centre, comprising representatives from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and Women.
As per Regulation 3(c) of the UGC, “caste-based discrimination” means “discrimination only on the basis of caste or tribe against the members of the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes”.
It defines “Discrimination” as ‘any unfair, differential, or biased treatment or any such act against any stakeholder, whether explicit or implicit, on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, disability, or any of them. It also includes any distinction, exclusion, limitation, or preference which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing equality of treatment in education and, in particular, of imposing conditions on any stakeholder or group of stakeholders which are incompatible with human dignity.’
Under these Regulations, every Higher Education Institution (HEI) will establish an Equal Opportunity Centre to oversee implementation of policies and programmes for disadvantaged groups. It will provide guidance and counselling regarding academic, financial, social, and other matters; and to enhance the diversity within the campus. Also, the Centre will coordinate with the District Legal Services Authority and the State Legal Services Authority concerned to achieve the objectives of these regulations in general and to provide legal aid in deserving cases.
Notably, the Equal Opportunity Centre needs to have an Equity Committee constituted by the Head of the Institution to manage the functioning of the Centre and to enquire into discrimination complaints. Also, the Committee must include representation of Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disabilities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Women.
What prompted the UGC to frame new regulations?
The new regulation was framed by the UGC following a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed in the Supreme Court in 2019 by Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi, mothers of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi respectively. The PIL sought a mechanism to eliminate caste-based discrimination in colleges. Reportedly. Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi died by suicide over caste-discrimination faced in their universities.
The Centre drafted regulations in March last year to address the issues raised. In April, the Court gave clearance to the UGC to finalise the draft regulations and notify the same.
In September 2025, the Court gave the UGC 8 weeks’ time to consider the suggestions submitted by different stakeholders and take a final decision regarding notification of the Regulations.
In January this year, the Regulations were notified.
Ruless notified, but how will Centre ensure its enforcement?
The UGC is planning to build a monitoring mechanism to review the progress made in achieving the objectives of these regulations and devise mechanisms for it. It will include calling for information from HEIs, visiting the campuses of HEIs, etc. Based on such a review, the UGC may advise the HEIs to take measures to achieve the objectives of these regulations.
The UGC will also constitute a national-level monitoring committee having representatives of statutory professional councils and commissions and of civil society. The Committee will oversee the implementation of these regulations and will also look into the issues of discrimination and suggest means of its prevention in HEIs. The Committee has to meet at least twice a year.
Every HEI is required to submit an annual report on the functioning of its Equal Opportunity Centre to the UGC, statutory professional council(s) or commission(s) concerned, Higher Education Department or Directorate of the State concerned, and to the affiliating university by the end of January every year for review.