UGC New Rules Row: The Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) have brought students from all parts of the India to the streets. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Delhi students blasted the recently introduced UGC regulations that deliberately leave out ‘general category students’ from students who can file complaints against discrimination.
The UGC regulations were initially aimed at making all UGC campuses (colleges and universities) in the country more inclusive for marginalized students, like those from Economically Weaker Sections, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes. However, the regulations seem to have ruffled a few feathers down the line.
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Stalin Extends Solidarity
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin like many opposition parties such as Congress and Samajwadi Party has come in open support for the new UGC regulations. Stalin remarked that the revisions in UGC rules were long awaited. The Tamil Nadu CM commented that there has been a surge in incidents of harassment and attacks on students from Southern India, minority communities and Kashmir.
Reaction of UP BJP Leaders
Many BJP leaders in the state of Uttar Pradesh have openly criticized the UGC regulations saying they are highly discriminative in nature. Many leaders claimed that there are no provisions of penalty against false complaints or interim protections until the case is finally decided. If this is not all, there is no mention of Muslim minorities and the new Equity Committee, along with Equity Squads and Equity Ambassadors don’t have any representation whatsoever from the ‘general’ category.
The list of challenges with the UGC regulation doesn’t end here. The process’s speedy nature demands that all complaints must be handled by the committee within 24 hours and reports need to be submitted within 15 days. Given the heavy administrative and teaching load on teachers and professors, the committee members would not be able to provide the due time and diligence required to handle delicate issues in the required timeframe.
