UGC Brings New Rules To End Caste-Based Biases In Higher Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has come up with UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. The rules that apply to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India aim to stop caste-based discrimination and ensure equal treatment for everyone in colleges and universities.

Under the new regulations, caste-based discrimination means any unfair treatment of a person only because of their caste or tribe. This includes discrimination against students, teachers, or staff belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Such discrimination can be direct or indirect.

The rules apply to all HEIs, including universities, colleges, and institutions deemed to be universities.

Under the new regulations, each institute must

• Stop all forms of discrimination, including caste-based discrimination.
• Promote equity, which means giving everyone a fair chance and equal access to rights and opportunities.
• Ensure that no discrimination is allowed or ignored on campus.
• Make the head of the institution responsible for the proper implementation of these rules.

Equal Opportunity Centre

Every institute must mandatorily set up an EOC to help students and staff from disadvantaged groups, provide academic, social, and financial guidance, look into complaints related to discrimination, and maintain an online system to report discrimination.

Equity Committee

An Equity Committee will be formed to handle complaints under EOC. It will examine complaints of caste-based discrimination, meet quickly after a complaint is received, submit a report to the head of the institution, and ensure representation of SC/ST/OBC/Women/PwBD.

Filling complaint

A complaint can be filed online, in writing, emain or via a call at the equity helpline. Each institute must run a 24-hour equity helpline.

Right to appeal

If a person is not satisfied with the decision of the equity committee, they can appeal to the Ombudsperson within 30 days. The Ombudsperson will try to resolve the matter within a fixed time period.

Monitoring by the UGC

UGC will review the institution’s progress and even visit campuses if needed. It will demand reports and data and set up a national-level committee to monitor the issues.

In case of non-compliance, the institute could be banned from UGC schemes, degree programs, online and distance programs, removing the institute from the UGC list, and other actions.