Protests, PIL and campus pushback: Why UGC’s equity rules have opened a can of worms

UGC’s 2026 equity regulations, notified January 13, have triggered student protests from Delhi to Lucknow, political heat, and a Supreme Court PIL targeting Regulation 3(1)(c). It defines caste-based discrimination as discrimination against SC, ST and OBC members. Protesters fear misuse, burden-of-proof issues and “surveillance” via Equity Squads, while the Centre says misuse won’t be allowed and clarifications are coming soon.