Student group protests outside UGC office in Delhi, demands complete rollback of equity rules

A group of students from colleges in Delhi staged a protest outside the University Grants Commission (UGC) headquarters on Tuesday, saying the new regulations issued by the commission could lead to chaos on campuses.

At least 100 students participated in the protest amid heavy barricades and rain.

The group has submitted a list of demands to the UGC, including a complete rollback of the regulations.

“UGC officials received our application. They agreed to discuss a few points from our list of demands,” said Alokit Tripathi, a PhD student from Delhi University.

“UGC officials said that they will consider our request to appoint a member from the general community in the Equity Squad. Secondly, the commission assured us that it will find a solution within 15 days, that is, before February 12. And finally, they said that the identity of the accuser will not be kept secret to deter false complaints,” Tripathi said, adding that the protesting group has been assured that their voices will be heard.

Those behind the protest appealed for the unity of the student community, urging them to say “no to UGC discrimination”. The new rules notified by the UGC on January 13 – Promotion of Equality in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 – have sparked widespread criticism from general category students, who claim that the framework could lead to discrimination against them.

Under the new regulations introduced to stop caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, the UGC has asked institutions to set up special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to address complaints, especially from SC, ST and OBC students.

‘Burden on the defendants’

Students said that the new rules will create complete chaos in universities because the burden of proof will now be placed entirely on the defendants and there will be no guarantee for students who are unfairly accused.

“The new regulations are very draconian in nature. The definition of the victim is already predetermined. The victim can be anyone on the campus,” Mr. Tripathi said.

“The proposed Equality Squads are like living under constant surveillance inside the campus,” he said, adding that students from various colleges in Delhi had joined the protest.

Harsh Pandey, a Bachelor of Political Science student from Sri Venkateswara College, said the new regulations were introduced without sufficient consideration. “We demand complete rollback of these regulations as they will lead to reverse discrimination. These will be used to criminalize innocent students on campus,” Mr. Pandey said.

Welcome step: AISA

Meanwhile, Left-wing student group All India Students Union has issued a statement supporting the UGC Equality Regulations, 2026. He said that inclusion of OBCs (Other Backward Classes) under equal protection is a welcome step.

“However, the representation of SC, ST, OBC and women in the Equality Committee among both faculties and students remains low, vague and inadequately defined. Moreover, the regulations define discrimination in broad and abstract terms, without enumerating concrete actions or instances of discrimination,” the statement said, raising concerns about some of the provisions.

The UGC regulations sparked debates across the country and drew reactions from students, teachers and social organizations in many states.

While the Union government says the changes are aimed at bringing greater fairness and accountability to higher education institutions, many stakeholders fear they could deepen social divisions and create new challenges on university campuses.