By Admin 
Controversy has intensified across the country regarding the new rules 2026 implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Especially students and organizations of the general category are openly protesting against it. They say that this rule is one-sided in the name of equality and can create a situation of fear, distrust and conflict in the campus. The matter is now taking a social as well as political form.
When did the whole controversy start?
The whole controversy started on January 13, 2026, when the UGC implemented the ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026’. This rule is based on the principle of ‘equality and inclusion’ given in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Its objective is said to be to prevent complaints of discrimination in colleges and universities and to create a definite system for their resolution.
What does UGC say?
UGC claims that this rule has been brought to prevent discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), disabled students, teachers and employees. The Commission says that complaints of caste discrimination are continuously increasing in higher education institutions and that is why such strict rules have become necessary.
Provision to form equity committee
Under the new rule, it has been made mandatory to form an equity committee of 9 members in every university and college.
This committee will include:
- head of institute
- three professors
- an employee
- two ordinary citizens
- two specially invited students
- a co-ordinator
- According to the rules, out of these 9, at least 5 members will have to be from SC, ST, OBC, disabled or women category.
The protest started from here
Critics and students say that there is no mandatory representation for the general category in this entire system. They allege that even though the law has been brought to stop discrimination, it will impact students from the general category the most. Students fear that as soon as the complaint is filed, they will already be considered guilty.
Statistics of discrimination complaints
According to the figures presented by the UGC before the Parliament Committee and the Supreme Court, 173 complaints were received in 2019-20, 378 complaints in 2023-24 and a total of 1160 complaints were received in five years. That means there has been an increase of about 118 percent in complaints. But critics are also putting forward the other side of these figures.
The other side of the data is that at present there are 1153 universities, more than 48 thousand colleges in the country, about 4 crore 20 lakh students are studying. Even if about 50 percent of these students are considered to be from SC, ST, OBC, EWS and disabled category, still the percentage of those complaining of discrimination is only about 0.0018 percent. Critics say that it is wrong to bring the entire general category under suspicion on the basis of so few complaints.
Lack of action on wrong complaints
The biggest concern of students and experts is that there is no clear provision in the new rule for strict punishment on those who make false complaints. It has only been said that if someone is dissatisfied with the committee’s decision, he can appeal within 30 days. The Ombudsman will also have to dispose of the appeal within 30 days, but no punishment has been fixed for those making false allegations. Due to this, students fear that the law may be misused.
Why is the opposition increasing?
Students and social organizations say that they are against discrimination, but the law should be equal for all. The possibility of misuse cannot be ignored. It is important to maintain an atmosphere of trust on campus.