Overview
- Published in the Gazette on January 13, the UGC’s 2026 regulations replace the 2012 anti-discrimination rules and apply to all universities, colleges and deemed-to-be universities.
- Non-compliance can draw severe action, including removal from the UGC list under sections 2(f) and 12B, barring from UGC schemes, and debarment from offering degree, online or distance programmes.
- The rules explicitly cover SC, ST and OBC communities within caste-based discrimination, broaden the definition of discrimination, and drop the earlier draft’s proposed fine for so-called false complaints.
- Every institution must set up an Equal Opportunity Centre with an Equity Committee that includes SC, ST, OBC, women and disability representation, meet at least twice a year, and file complaint reports within 15 working days.
- Mandates include a 24x7 Equity Helpline, online and written complaint options with confidentiality on request, prompt referral of prima facie criminal cases to police, Equity Squads and Ambassadors, national monitoring by the UGC, and reporting duties, while some 2012-specific prohibitions and examples are not retained; critics question the breadth of definitions and potential effects on academic freedom.