UGC’s equity regulations trigger widespread protests across Uttar Pradesh

Demonstrations erupted in Uttar Pradesh at institutions such as Lucknow University and other campuses, where students called for clarity, balance and possible revision of the equity norms (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Protesters criticised certain procedural aspects of the equity rules, including concerns that the burden of proof could shift to the accused and lacked protections against false complaints (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

The protests have drawn wider political and legal attention, with a second plea challenging the definition of caste discrimination under the UGC regulations filed in the Supreme Court (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati defended the equity regulations and called out what she described as a casteist mindset behind some protests against the new norms (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has sought to allay concerns, assuring that the regulations are constitutionally valid and will be implemented fairly while efforts continue to clarify ambiguities (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

On January 13, 2026, the University Grants Commission notified its Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, aimed at curbing caste‑based discrimination and promoting inclusion in colleges and universities (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

The new regulations require higher education institutions to establish equity mechanisms such as Equal Opportunity Centres and committees to address discrimination complaints (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

The regulations come in the long shadow of two deaths that reshaped the debate on caste and higher education — Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad Central University in 2016 and Payal Tadvi at a Mumbai medical college in 2019. (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Within days of the notification, student groups and campus organisations announced demonstrations outside the UGC headquarters in New Delhi, urging peers to rally under the slogan “No to UGC discrimination” (Source: Photo by Vishal Srivastava)