By Admin 
The University Grants Commission (UGC), which controls the higher education system across the country, has come up with new guidelines for the year 2026. Protests have started in many states of the country regarding some important changes made in UGC-2026. Anger is being seen among students and social organizations regarding this in other states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh.
These rules of UGC will be applicable to the students taking admission in graduation after 12th. Till now, in the special provisions made for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) students, for the first time the OBC category has also been included in the ambit of the new strict rules.
Allegation of discrimination against general category
Allegations of discrimination against gold (General) category students are being made regarding two major changes in UGC-2026. Opponents say that just because they belong to the general category, the students will be considered guilty and due to strict legal provisions, they may also get trapped in false cases.
Opinion of academics, confusion is being spread
Senior educationist of Jodhpur, Prof. Dr. Kshitij Maharshi said that “Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but confusion is being spread regarding UGC-2026.” He further said, “This guideline has been brought after studying the data of the last five years across the country. If there is a need for change in it in future, then the central government can amend it.”
Opposition of Marwar Rajput Mahasabha
Marwar Rajput Mahasabha President Hanuman Singh Khangata termed UGC-2026 as completely wrong and said, “The gold society is being suppressed in this rule. If there is no change soon, we will protest.” He said, “Being a general is not a crime, but this law can implicate us in false cases.”
Strong opposition to Karni Sena
Karni Sena’s Jodhpur president Mansingh Medatiya said, “This law has been brought to suppress the upper caste community. We will strongly oppose it and will soon formulate a strategy and protest.” Social organizations have warned that if these rules are not changed, they will protest on a large scale.
NSUI support
Regarding UGC-2026, NSUI District President Dr. Bablu Solanki supported it and said, “This Act has come into force from January 15 and has been brought on the basis of the data of increasing violence in universities.” He said, “Anyone who does wrong will be punished. A committee will be formed considering the possibility of false cases, which will take impartial decisions.”
BJP leader: Situation of confusion will go away soon
Former minister and senior BJP leader Rajendra Singh Rathore said that “the opposition that is taking place regarding UGC-2026 is a situation of confusion. This confusion will be cleared soon.” He says that once people get correct information, the protests will calm down automatically.
Main points of controversy
Arguments of opponents:
– Discrimination against general category students
– Danger of getting trapped in false cases
– Conspiracy to suppress the Golden Society
– Legal provisions very strict
Proponents’ arguments:
– Necessary to stop increasing violence in universities
– Created based on data from the last five years
– Impartial committee will investigate false cases
– Only those who do wrong will be punished
Protests in many states
Protests regarding this guideline have started in many states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Student organizations and social organizations are taking to the streets. Social organizations have said that they will soon prepare a big strategy and if the government does not change these rules, they will hold a statewide agitation.
The protesting organizations have demanded from the government to clarify the controversial provisions of the UGC-2026 guidelines and remove the alleged discrimination against general category students.