The Union government on Tuesday sought to calm growing concerns over the University Grants Commission’s new equity regulations, as protests and criticism intensified across university campuses. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured students and teachers that the new rules would not be misused and would not lead to discrimination against any group.

“There will be no discrimination, and no one will be allowed to misuse the law,” Pradhan said, responding to fears surrounding the UGC’s newly notified Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026.

The fresh framework aims to create a formal system to address complaints related to discrimination and to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in universities and colleges. However, the regulations have triggered sharp reactions, particularly over how “caste-based discrimination” has been defined in the rules.

On Tuesday, students from upper-caste communities announced a protest outside the UGC headquarters in Delhi. The call for demonstrations comes after reports of unrest in several campuses and hostels in recent days. The controversy has also spilled into the political and administrative space, with a senior bureaucrat and a BJP youth wing leader recently stepping down, citing disagreement with the policy.

Under the new regulations, every higher education institution is required to set up an Equal Opportunity Centre. This body will work closely with faculty members, civil society groups, district authorities, police, and legal services institutions to handle grievances and provide support. The centre will also help students access legal aid when required.

The Equal Opportunity Centre will include representatives from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women, and persons with disabilities. Its responsibilities include implementing equity-focused programmes, offering academic and financial guidance, and ensuring coordination with relevant authorities.