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

Students protest at UGC office in Delhi demanding rollback of equity regulations

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

Amid heavy barricading and rain, at least 100 students participated in the protest.

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

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

“The UGC officials said they will consider our demand to appoint one member from the general community in the Equity Squad. Secondly, the commission assured us that it will come up with a solution within 15 days, that is, before February 12. And lastly, they said the identity of the accuser will not be kept private in order to discourage false complaints,” Tripathi said, adding that the protesting group was assured that their voices will be heard.

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