There is resentment among the youth of the general category against the new rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC). A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court to return them, on which the apex court has agreed to hear. The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi will hear this petition tomorrow on Thursday (January 29, 2026).

It has been said in the petition that the new rules are discriminating against general category students in the name of removing caste discrimination. In these, a provision has been made for complaints of caste discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Most Backward Classes (OBC), but general category students have been left out. There is no provision in these rules for any action against those who make a false complaint.

What is the new equality rule of UGC?

UGC has implemented the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Regulations, 2026 in universities and colleges across the country from January 15, 2026. The main objective of this rule has been said to be to prevent caste discrimination in all higher educational institutions across the country and to provide equal opportunity to all students and employees. The most important feature of this rule is that now along with Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) as well as Other Backward Classes (OBC) have also been included in the definition of caste discrimination.

Under the new rule, every higher education institute will have to create an equal opportunity centre. Special committees will have to be formed to resolve complaints related to discrimination in the institute and a 24-hour helpline service will also have to be started. Apart from this, according to the rules, action will have to be taken on the complaints filed under the rules within a stipulated time limit.

Why is there opposition to the new rules of UGC?

As soon as this rule of the University Grants Commission (UGC) came into force, organizations associated with the upper castes in many parts of the country started protesting against it. Students and teachers say that this rule is not balanced for all classes and can be misused. The biggest fear regarding this rule is that students and teachers can be implicated by making allegations of false discrimination.

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