If you are studying in college or university or preparing for further higher education, then you must have heard the name of UGC. But very few people know how this organization works, what powers it has and how it keeps an eye on thousands of colleges and universities in the country. Today let us tell you the complete story of UGC, one of the most important institutions of India’s higher education system.

UGC is a statutory body of the Government of India. It was started in 1953 and got legal status in 1956 under an Act of Parliament. Its main function is to maintain the level of university education in the country and to set rules for higher education institutions. UGC is the regulator of India’s higher education system. Just as there are different boards in school education, similarly UGC monitors college and university level education.

How does UGC work?

UGC does not directly go to colleges to provide education, but sets rules and standards. This organization ensures that the level of studies, examinations, research and teaching in universities is as per the set standards. UGC issues new guidelines from time to time. Universities and colleges have to follow these rules. If any institution does not follow the rules, action can also be taken against it.

How do universities get accreditation?

UGC recognition is very important for any university. When a new university starts, it has to prove that it has qualified teachers, adequate resources, library, labs and other necessary facilities. UGC examines all these aspects. Even after getting recognition, monitoring of institutions continues. This is the reason why students are always advised to take admission only in UGC approved institutions.

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How does UGC take action against fake universities?

Every year some institutions try to mislead students by calling themselves universities. In such cases, UGC investigates and releases the list of fake institutions. Even in 2026, UGC had identified many fake universities across the country and alerted students and parents. Degrees from such institutions are not valid for jobs and higher education.

UGC also gives funds to universities
One of the major tasks of UGC is to provide financial assistance to universities and colleges. UGC provides grants to many government universities and research projects. However, only those institutions are eligible for this assistance which meet the standards set by UGC.

Who is currently heading the UGC?
Presently Vineet Joshi holds the additional charge of Chairperson of UGC (University Grants Commission). He is a 1992 batch IAS officer and is known for his long administrative experience in the education sector. Before this, he has also served on important positions like Chairman of CBSE and Director General of NTA. The special thing is that Vineet Joshi is not an academician but a senior bureaucrat. Although many former chairpersons of UGC have been academicians associated with the education and research sector, currently the responsibility of this important institution is being handled by an experienced administrative officer, who is monitoring various policy and administrative functions related to the higher education system of the country. Former Chairman M Jagadish Kumar has been a well-known name in the higher education sector. He has also previously been the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University.

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In today’s era, the meaning of education is not limited to books only. Now it has also become necessary to prepare students for real world work. With this thinking, a new initiative has emerged, under which people can become professors in universities even without degrees like PhD and NET. Recently, famous folk singer Malini Awasthi has been appointed as ‘Professor of Practice’, due to which people’s interest in this new system has increased further.

Malini Awasthi became a new example

Malini Awasthi, who has made a big name in the world of folk music, has been appointed as ‘Professor of Practice’ in the University of Meerut. He has years of experience and has earned recognition in India and abroad with his art. With his appointment, students will get the experience of real stage along with books. This means that now studies will not be limited to theory only, but practical will also be equally important.

What is ‘Professor of Practice’?

‘Professor of Practice’ is a post which has been specially created for those people who have been working in their field for a long time and have acquired practical knowledge. Such people do not necessarily have traditional degrees like PhD or NET, but their experience is considered their biggest qualification. The main objective of this initiative is to connect the students not just with theory but also with real world experience. This improves both the level and utility of education.

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Who can become such a professor?

The most important thing for this post is experience. If someone has about 15 years of experience in his field, he can be eligible for it. Whether you are from art, media, business, science or any other field, if you are an expert in your work then this opportunity is open for you.

Why was this initiative started?

It is often seen that students study from books, but face difficulty in doing real work. This initiative has been started to bridge this gap. Its objective is that students get real information related to the industry and they can be better prepared for jobs.

What benefit will students get?

• The biggest advantage is that students will get a chance to learn directly from experts.
• They will be taught only those things which are useful in the job. Along with this, internship and job opportunities will also increase.
• Apart from this, the thinking of new ideas and startups will also be strengthened.

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University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new guidelines for universities and colleges. The main objective of these instructions is to make the campus such an environment where students can remain healthy not only in studies but also mentally, emotionally and physically. UGC says that no campus can be considered successful if students are facing stress and problems internally. In such a situation, the university has now been asked to create such an environment in which students feel safe, can talk openly about their problems and can get the right help if needed. So let us know what are the preparations to reduce the pressure of studies in the new order of UGC?

What are the preparations to reduce study pressure?

The new guidelines state that every university should create a supportive and positive environment for the students, for this it is necessary to provide organized counseling services in the institutions. If a student is struggling with emotional stress, study pressure or personal problems, he or she should have easy access to professional advice and help. With this, students will not feel lonely or afraid and will be able to share their problems at the right time.

UGC has also laid special emphasis on the fact that the confidentiality of the students should be completely protected during counselling. Many times students do not share their problems due to the fear that their words may become public or people may make fun of them. Therefore, institutions have been asked to create such a system where students can express their feelings without any fear and hesitation.

Awareness Programs and Workshops

In the guidelines, the university has been advised to organize awareness programs, workshops and discussions from time to time. The aim of these programs is to give students information about how to recognize the symptoms of mental stress and seek help if needed. When there is an open discussion on mental health, then the hesitation and fear present in the society regarding it will gradually reduce.

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Promotion of sports and physical activity

It has also been said in the guidelines that sports and physical activity are very important for mental health. Therefore, the university should strengthen sports facilities and motivate students to participate in sports regularly. Sports competitions, fitness programs and recreational activities can be organized in the campus, which will reduce the stress of the students and also increase their focus.

Use of Manodarpan Initiative

The UGC has also advised institutions to utilize the Manodarpan initiative, a national program aimed at providing psychological support to students, teachers and parents. Under this initiative, helplines, online resources and counseling services are made available, which universities can integrate with their systems to provide additional support to students. In the guidelines, it has been said to pay attention not only to the mental and physical health of not only the students but also the teachers. Many times, teachers also have a lot of pressure to do research and administrative work along with teaching. Therefore, institutions have been encouraged to provide health programs, counseling support and better working environment for teachers also.

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There was an uproar in the Bihar Assembly on Friday (February 20, 2026) over the word Brahminist mentality. CPI(ML) MLA Sandeep Saurabh, under the adjournment motion in the Assembly, demanded the Bihar government to implement the UGC Equity Act. During this, he used the word Brahminist mentality which enraged BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha.

In fact, Sandeep Saurabh said that it is necessary to implement this rule to eliminate caste discrimination in higher educational institutions. Sandeep Saurabh said that caste-based incidents keep coming to light from universities and higher educational institutions across the country including Bihar. The institutional murders of Rohit Vemula of Hyderabad Central University in 2016, Payal of Medical College, Mumbai in 2019, Darshan Solanki of IIT Mumbai in 2023, etc. are visible examples of caste discrimination and harassment on campuses.

Sandeep Saurabh said that according to the report given by the UGC to the Supreme Court and the Parliamentary panel, there has been a 118 percent increase in incidents of caste-based harassment in higher educational institutions from 2019 to 2024. He said that after the movements sponsored by Brahminist mentality, it (UGC Act) was postponed by the Supreme Court.

‘Want to dilute the poison of casteism…’

On hearing the word Brahministic mentality, ruling party MLA Vijay Kumar Sinha got enraged. Deputy CM Vijay Sinha said that you people want to dilute the poison of casteism. Want to weaken the nation. Why are you using such words? It reflects your thinking.

He said that I had also gone to study in the Technical College of Muzaffarpur. I am a Bhumihar Brahmin. Even after this I was ragged. I was thrown out of the hostel. Vijay Sinha said that people holding constitutional posts are raising questions on the decisions of the constitutional institution. We respect every society. Seeing the increasing uproar, Speaker Prem Kumar said that the word Brahmin should be removed from the proceedings.

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There were protests across the country regarding the new rules of UGC. One party was angry about the new rule. Meanwhile, on Thursday (January 29, 2026), the Supreme Court took a major decision and banned this new rule. However, before the decision, there was a demand on social media that voice should be raised against it. It was written in the post that Pawan Singh, who is called the powerstar of Bhojpuri, should raise his voice.

Now when the Supreme Court’s decision has come on Thursday, Pawan Singh has given his reaction on it. He posted from his X handle. He has written, “The order of the Honorable Supreme Court on the subject of UGC is welcome. We were confident that injustice would not be done to anyone.”

The order of the Honorable Supreme Court on the subject of UGC is welcome.
We believed that injustice would not be done to anyone.#we all belong to us

— Pawan Singh (@PawanSingh909) January 29, 2026

This post was made about Pawan Singh

For Pawan Singh to raise his voice regarding the new rule of UGC, it was written in a post on Block and district provide everything.”

It was further written, “He is not called Powerstar and TRP King for nothing. If he wants, he can jam the entire social media. Because power starts here and ends here. Now the time has come to show the power.”

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Amid the ongoing controversy regarding the UGC bill, Pappu Yadav, MP from Purnia, Bihar, has given a clear cut statement. On Wednesday (January 28, 2026), MP Pappu Yadav gave his stand on this while talking to the media. Taking the names of Bhumihar, Kayastha, Brahmin, Rajput castes, the question was raised whether these are the only people who harass? And people don’t harass?

Don’t spread controversy on this: Pappu Yadav

However, MP Pappu Yadav has openly supported the UGC bill. He told the media on this, “A law has been made in which children from any kind of weaker section do not have to be physically, mentally and financially tortured. Their rights have been protected. You people keep your views in one place. The court will look into it. I would request you not to spread controversy on this.”

‘There are some strong communities among Dalits…they also harass’

He further said, “The people of Karni Sena are protesting… are out on the streets… I say that if the people of Rajput community are being tortured then they should come forward… But the way it is coming in the media that Bhumihar, Kayastha, Brahmin, Rajput… are these people the only ones who harass and people are not harassed? Yadavs have more role in the harassment. Kurmi community, Kushwaha community also have a role. There are some strong communities among Dalits too. Yes, he also harasses, but he does not dominate.”

The MP said that our children are not breaking the society, those whose shops are not running have started breaking the society by saying such things. In the case of UGC Bill, there is no case of upper caste or backward caste. He said that I accept the fact that if there is social exploitation somewhere along with SC, ST, EBC, there is also Kurmi, Kushwaha, Yadav community in it. There are not only Bhumihars, Brahmins, Rajputs in the general category, there are also Yadavs, Koeris, Kushwaha and Kurmi in the general category, but the law that is there is a normal law.

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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.