Bare Act provision:
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 13th January, 2026
University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026
(UIN:1/2026)
F. No. 1-7/2011(SCT).— PREAMBLE:
Whereas the University Grants Commission (UGC) is mandated to coordinate and determine the standards of higher education in universities;
And whereas the National Education Policy 2020 recognises ‘full equity and inclusion’ as the cornerstone of all educational decisions to ensure that all students are able to thrive in the education system;
And whereas the University Grants Commission is determined to eradicate discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, or against persons with disabilities in Higher Education Institutions.
And whereas the University Grants Commission intends to promote equity in Higher Education Institutions.
Now, therefore, in supersession of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, and in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (j) of Section 12 read with clause (g) of sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the University Grants Commission Act,1956, the University Grants
Commission hereby makes the following Regulations, namely: —
Explanation:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) released a new set of rules on January 13, 2026, aimed at ensuring fairness and inclusion within colleges and universities. These rules are officially called the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. This notification acts as an update to older rules from 2012, bringing them in line with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020.
The main reason for these regulations is to make sure every student has an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their background. The UGC is focusing on removing discrimination based on factors like religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, or whether they have a disability. By setting these standards, the UGC wants to create a campus environment where everyone feels included and supported.
In legal terms, the UGC is using its official authority under the University Grants Commission Act of 1956 to put these rules into effect. This move replaces the previous 2012 regulations entirely. The ultimate goal is to make equity and inclusion the foundation of how higher education institutions operate across the country.
References
1. Constitution of India, Articles 14, 21, and 22.
2. UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012.
3. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
4. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India – Principles of Natural Jusitce
5. State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan – the balance of fundamental rights.
6. Dr. Ashok Kumar Makkar, ‘Investigation under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989): Judicial Trends’, Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, E-ISSN: 2230-7540, Volume 16, Issue No. 4, Mar 2019, Pages 905 – 917 (12)
7. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
8. Abhinav Sekhri, ‘Article 22 — Calling Time On Preventive Detention’, INDIAN J. CONST. L,
Wibliography
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2. Dhruv Mishra, Nupur J Sharma, ‘UGC ‘equity’ Regulation: Explicit bias against ‘general caste’, uncanny similarities with Congress’ Communal Violence Bill, no safeguard for false SC/ST complaints and more’, OpIndia, Dt. 16.1.2026, available at: https://www.opindia.com/2026/01/what-is-promotion-of-equity-in-higher-education-institutions-regulations-announced-by-ugc-bias-against-brahmins-general-castes-no-safeguard-for-false-sc-st-complaints-explained/,
3. Shashank Kumar Dwivedi, ‘Do ‘Equity Squads’ and ‘Equity Ambassadors’ signal inclusion or surveillance? All about new equity regulations of UGC’, Organiser, Dt. 18.1.2019, available at: https://organiser.org/2026/01/18/335535/bharat/do-equity-squads-and-equity-ambassadors-signal-inclusion-or-surveillance-all-about-new-equity-regulations-of-ugc/,
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5. ‘UGC 2026 Rules Target Discrimination In Colleges | Delhi Roads Deadlier Than Ever Before | News9live’ News9live YouTube Channel, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd4HehlZjn8,
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7. M Nageswara Rao, ‘UGC Plays “Equity” Fraud’ X, Dt. 15.1.2026, available at: https://x.com/MNageswarRaoIPS/status/2011831118384021889,
8. Uday Barad, ‘UGC ‘equity’ Regulation’, Facebook, Dt. 16.12026, available at: https://www.facebook.com/uday.barad.54885/posts/ugc-equity-regulation-explicit-bias-against-general-caste-uncanny-similarities-w/933012279408489/,
9. ‘Legal Protections For Scheduled Castes And Scheduled Tribes: Understanding The Framework’, Live Law, Dt. 16.4.2025, available at: https://www.livelaw.in/law-firms/law-firm-articles-/scheduled-castes-scheduled-tribes-civil-rights-rehabilitation-anticipatory-bail-equality-kale-shinde-associates-289541,
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11. Mayashree Acharya, ‘What is Letter of Undertaking: Meaning, Process, Format’, Cleartax, Dt. 21.4.2025, available at: https://cleartax.in/s/letter-of-undertaking,
12. ‘Article 22 of the Indian Constitution’, Social Law Today, Dt. 4.4.2023, https://sociallawstoday.com/article-22-of-the-indian-constitution/,
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