UGC Equity Rules Spark Protests: Centre To Clarify Amid Misinformation

• UGC's new 'Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026' aim to prevent caste-based discrimination.
• Protests erupted, including demonstrations outside UGC's Delhi office, over concerns about potential misuse and one-sidedness.
• Education Ministry plans to issue a detailed clarification to counter misinformation and assure against misuse of the rules.
• The regulations mandate an equity committee in every university and college, with members from SC, ST, OBC, women, and PwD categories.
• Students from the general category are protesting, alleging the rules ignore their complaints and could lead to false cases; a PIL is in Supreme Court.

Why It Matters: Centre to clarify new UGC equity rules amidst nationwide protests and concerns over potential misuse.