Uproar Over UGC’s New Rules, Education Minister Makes a Big Statement

New Delhi: The new rules issued by the UGC (University Grants Commission) are now sparking a political storm. Students from upper castes are taking to the streets to protest these rules and demand their withdrawal. Students studying in various colleges in the capital city of Delhi are calling these rules discriminatory. They argue that the rules should include not only SC, ST, and OBC students but also those from the general category.

Citing false accusations and harassment against upper-caste students, the protesters are demanding the withdrawal of the new UGC rules. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has clarified the government’s stance. He assured that the new rules aim to ensure justice, not to harass anyone.

Speaking to ANI, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan humbly presented his perspective. Responding to questions raised on social media, the Education Minister told ANI, “I want to very humbly assure everyone that no one will be allowed to be harassed.”

“No one will have the right to misuse the law in the name of discrimination,” he added. He emphasised that it is the collective responsibility of the UGC, the Government of India, and the state governments to ensure that the law is followed fairly.

He clarified that the system put in place is entirely within the framework of the Indian Constitution. Regarding the concern that innocent students might be falsely implicated, a major point of contention, he said that the entire process is under the purview of the judiciary.

The new UGC rules are considered a major initiative in educational institutions. The government implemented the “Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulation 2026” on January 13. The UGC rules aim to curb comments and discrimination against SC, ST, OBC, economically weaker sections, women, and persons with disabilities in higher education institutions. Each college will constitute an Equity Committee comprising nine members. This committee will include the institution’s chancellor, three professors, two general citizens, two student representatives, and a coordinator.

According to UGC regulations, at least five seats on the committee must be reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, persons with disabilities, and women. This distribution of seats is where the controversy has arisen.