Protests, PIL and campus pushback: Why UGC's equity rules have opened a can of worms
UGC’s 2026 equity regulations, notified January 13, have triggered student protests from Delhi to Lucknow, political heat, and a Supreme Court PIL targeting Regulation 3(1)(c). It defines caste-based discrimination as discrimination against SC, ST and OBC members. Protesters fear misuse, burden-of-proof issues and “surveillance” via Equity Squads, while the Centre says misuse won’t be allowed and clarifications are coming soon.
UGC’s 2026 equity regulations, notified January 13, have triggered student protests from Delhi to Lucknow, political heat, and a Supreme Court PIL targeting Regulation 3(1)(c). It defines caste-based discrimination as discrimination against SC, ST and OBC members. Protesters fear misuse, burden-of-proof issues and “surveillance” via Equity Squads, while the Centre says misuse won’t be allowed and clarifications are coming soon.
