UGC Protest Live Updates: Highlights

UGC Protest Live Updates: What BSP national president Mayawati said on SC order

"The new rules implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to prevent casteist incidents in government and private universities have created an atmosphere of social tension. In view of these circumstances, the decision by the Hon’ble Supreme Court today to stay the UGC’s new rules is appropriate.

Such social tension would not have arisen if the UGC had consulted all parties before implementing the rules and had provided appropriate representation to the upper-caste community in the investigation committee, in accordance with the principles of natural justice."

UGC Protest Live Updates: People from upper-cast community shave heads against UGC rules, accuse law of promoting casteism

In Kanpur, members of the upper-caste community staged a unique protest in Naramau Kachhar, calling the UGC’s new rules dictatorial and accusing them of promoting casteism. The protest was so intense that advocate Atul Trivedi and farmers Bharat and Sushil Shukla publicly shaved their heads. After the head-shaving, the protesters not only raised their voices against the government but also targeted influential members of the upper-caste community who have remained silent on the law.

Farmer Bharat Shukla said the law divides society and deepens the chasm of casteism. “The silence of responsible people on such a sensitive issue is extremely worrying and sad,” he added.

(Reported by Faiz Siddiqui/ TNN)

UGC Protest Live Updates: 'We all believe the culprits should not be spared'

We all believe the culprits should not be spared and innocent persons should not face injustice, says Akhilesh Yadav

UGC Protest Live Updates: Capable of misuse, says SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the recent UGC Equity Regulations on preventing caste-based discrimination on campuses, observing they are prima facie "vague" and "capable of misuse".

The apex court orally observed that if does not intervene in the matter, it will lead to a dangerous impact and divide the society.

The Supreme Court order came after various pleas were filed contending that the University Grants Commission (UGC) adopted a "non-inclusionary" definition of caste-based discrimination and excluded certain categories from institutional protection.

UGC Protest Live Updates: What students said

Amitesh Pal said, “Putting the UGC equity regulations on hold is disappointing. These rules were meant to protect the rights of SC, ST and OBC students, and stopping them creates uncertainty about social justice on campuses.”
‎
‎Manav Rawat said,"The Supreme Court’s stay on the UGC equity guidelines is a setback for marginalized communities. In the name of review, the interests of SC, ST and OBC students are being delayed once again.”
‎
‎Vishal Singh, student leader, said, “The Supreme Court order is a relief for students. It shows that policies affecting campuses cannot be forced without discussion and transparency.”
‎
‎Jatin Shukla said, “Putting the UGC equity regulations on hold proves that students’ voices matter. We hope the guidelines are reviewed properly before any future implementation.”

Reported by Isha Jain/TNN (Lucknow)

UGC Protest Live Updates: I was trolled, abused and slurs thrown my way using my surname, says Priyanka Chaturvedi

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi in a post on 'X' said, "I am glad that Hon SC stepped in and stayed the UGC guidelines which were vague, arbitrary and an attempt to create further discrimination on campuses."

"I was trolled, abused and slurs thrown my way using my surname, so be it. What goes against natural course of justice I will continue to raise it and use my voice for it."

"That the GoI absolutely abdicated its responsibility to intervene & withdraw the UGC guidelines shows that they give no respect or consideration to peoples protests is now clear as daylight. And those who stayed silent, time will judge you."

UGC Protest Live Updates: The language needs to be re-modified, says Supreme Court

The top court said that, for now, the 2012 UGC regulations will continue to apply. The Court opined that there is complete vagueness in Regulation 3 (C) (which defines caste-based discrimination), and it can be misused. "The language needs to be re-modified," the court said.

The new regulations, introduced to curb caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, require institutions to establish special committees and helplines to address complaints, especially from students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) categories.

The new rules notified by the UGC on January 13, which update its 2012 regulations on the same subject, have sparked widespread criticism from general category students, who argue that the framework could lead to discrimination against them, news agency ANI reported.

UGC Protest Live Updates: 'UGC guidelines were the outcome of the Supreme Court order. This govt had diluted it.'

UGC guidelines were the outcome of the Supreme Court order. This govt had diluted it. The government should have expanded the scope of this guideline, but this controversy has been whipped up and it's an issue of the BJP. Students should not suffer due to this, says CPI MP John Brittas.

UGC Protest Live Updates: 'Supreme Court has done the right thing'

Supreme Court has done the right thing as the UGC guideline was unconstitutional, says TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee.

UGC Protest Live Updates: Supreme Court has directed that UGC Regulations 2012 will be in operation till further orders

Vishnu Shankar Jain, counsel of a petitioner, said, "Today, the Supreme Court heard our writ petition challenging the UGC Regulations which have been enacted recently. The Supreme Court has stayed the UGC Regulations and has kept them in abeyance. The Supreme Court has directed that UGC Regulations 2012 will be in operation till further orders. The matter has been posted for hearing on March 19."

UGC Protest Live Updates: SC stays UGC regulation pertaining to definition of caste discrimination

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a recent University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation after various pleas were filed contending that the Commission adopted a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excluded certain categories from institutional protection.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Centre and the UGC on the pleas challenging the regulation.

The new regulations mandating all higher education institutions to form "equity committees" to look into discrimination complaints and promote equity were notified on January 13.

The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, mandated that these committees must include members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC), the Scheduled Castes (SC), the Scheduled Tribes (ST), persons with disabilities, and women.

The new regulations replaces the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, which was largely advisory in nature.

The pleas assailed the regulation on the grounds that caste-based discrimination is defined strictly as discrimination against members of the SCs, STs and OBCs.

It said that by limiting the scope of "caste-based discrimination" only to SC, ST and OBC categories, the UGC has effectively denied institutional protection and grievance redressal to individuals belonging to the "general" or non-reserved categories who may also face harassment or bias based on their caste identity, news agency PTI reported.

Unity of India must be reflected in our educational institutions: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre and the UGC on pleas challenging the regulation pertaining to the definition of caste discrimination, news agency PTI reported.

Unity of India must be reflected in our educational institutions: Supreme Court

We want free, equitable and inclusive atmosphere in educational institutions: Supreme Court

Breaking News: SC stays UGC regulation pertaining to definition of caste discrimination

The Top Court said, the provisions are prima facie vague and capable of misuse. SC asks Union to redraft the regulations, till then its operation kept in abeyance.

UGC Protest Live Updates: Hearing begins in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday began hearing petitions challenging the new UGC regulations. The petitioners, represented by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, have questioned Section 3C of the rules. The bench comprises Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Jyomallya Bagchi.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain argued before the court that the definition of discrimination under the UGC regulations is flawed. He submitted that it runs contrary to the Constitution, which treats discrimination as applicable to all citizens, whereas the UGC rules, he said, address only specific categories.

UGC Protest Live Updates: Supreme Court to hear case shortly

A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant is scheduled to hear a public interest litigation challenging the UGC’s new equity regulations.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea challenging a recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation on the ground that it has adopted a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excludes certain categories from institutional protection.

UGC Protest Live Updates: Former MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh opposes provisions of the UGC bill

Former MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh opposes provisions of the UGC bill, calling it divisive for society.

He said, “One community is being considered oppressed, and another aggrieved, yet the oppressed community has no representative in the committee. I don’t know who introduced this bill, but it is creating tension in society. Children of the OBCs and Dalit communities who understand the situation must also come forward. This is not only the pain of the upper-caste community; it is the pain of all communities. I have appealed that this one-sided bill needs reconsideration. The country’s atmosphere is deteriorating and this must be stopped. I urge the government to find a solution.”

UGC Protest Live Updates: I believe that all sections of society need to be included in this, says BJP leader

BJP leader Kalraj Mishra, "We have demanded that the unconstitutional rules, which are based on caste discrimination, and which include OBCs, should be amended. I believe that all sections of society need to be included in this. If any student from any caste or community faces discrimination, they should have the opportunity to file a complaint, and I believe that everyone should be included in this process. I feel that the guidelines provided by the UGC will increase separatism and violate the fundamental rights of the Constitution, and therefore, it will be considered unconstitutional. Secondly, we demand that punitive action be taken against those who file false complaints.

"Currently, there is no provision for punitive action. We believe that there should be such a provision. Thirdly, we demand that the grievance redressal committee, which has been designated as the Equal Opportunity Centre, should have representation from all sections of society. Furthermore, the committee's timeframe, scope, jurisdiction, and other details should be clearly defined. We also met with a delegation today. We discussed all these points with them. We also met with Dharmendra Pradhan, the Education Minister."

Protests demanding an immediate rollback of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new Regulations, 2026, continued for the second consecutive day across Uttar Pradesh and several other states on Wednesday.

Some student groups also announced a Bharat Bandh on February 1.

UGC Protest Live Updates: Citywide student protests erupt in Lucknow over UGC equity regulations

UGC Protest Live Updates: Massive protests in Lucknow

Lucknow witnessed citywide student protests on Thursday against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new Equity Regulations, with demonstrations held at Lucknow University’s Second Campus, Jai Narain Misra PG College, and near the Gandhi statue in Hazratganj.

At Lucknow University’s Second Campus, students gathered in large numbers, raising slogans such as “UGC roll back” and “Student unity zindabad,” and termed the regulations a “black law,” demanding their immediate withdrawal.

Vishal Singh, a student leader from the Second Campus, said, “These regulations are being imposed without consulting students. Instead of ensuring equity, they will create confusion and discrimination on campuses.”

Students of Jai Narain Misra PG College also staged a protest, terming the rules unjust and impractical.

Abhay Singh, an LLB student, said, “UGC should focus on strengthening education and student welfare. These regulations do not address the real problems faced by students.” (Reported by Isha Jain, from Lucknow)

UGC Protest Live Updates: Man writes letter in blood to PM as protests intensify in UP

Protests against the new UGC rules intensified in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, with large-scale demonstrations reported from Deoria, an agitator writing a letter to the prime minister with his blood in Kaushambi, and a BJP functionary quitting his post in Raebareli.

The row erupted after the University Grants Commission (UGC) on January 13 notified the new regulations, making it mandatory for all higher education institutions to constitute equity committees comprising members from OBC, SC and ST communities to address complaints of discrimination and promote inclusion.

UGC Bill Protest Live Updates: UGC regulations on promoting equity is delayed but welcome step, says TN CM

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Thursday said the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, though delayed, was a welcome step in reforming a higher education system "scarred by deep rooted discrimination and institutional apathy."

These regulations must be strengthened and also revised to address their structural gaps, and enforced with real accountability, he stressed.

On January 13, the regulatory body for higher education in the country notified the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, replacing the earlier 2012 anti-discrimination framework.

The new rules deal with discrimination, including those on the basis of caste, in higher education institutions by making them enforceable governance.

Reacting to the latest move, the Chief Minister said since the BJP came to power at the Centre there has been a visible rise in student suicides within Indian HEIs particularly among SC and ST students.

"This has been accompanied by repeated attacks and harassment targeting students from south India, Kashmir, and minority communities. In this context, equity safeguards are not a matter of choice but an unavoidable necessity," Stalin said.

Alankar Agnihotri, who resigned as Bareilly city magistrate on Republic Day in protest against the University Grants Commission's new anti-discrimination regulations — which he described as "anti-Brahmin and harmful to general-category students" — and was suspended by the Uttar Pradesh govt on charges of indiscipline shortly afterwards amid high political drama, told TOI on Wednesday that his decision was a response to a "deeper leadership crisis within the community".

After resigning, he staged a dharna for being denied entry to meet the Bareilly district magistrate. He has since been attached to the office of the Shamli district magistrate, where a departmental inquiry is under way.

UGC Bill Protest Live Updates: 'We know what is happening', SC agrees to list for hearing plea against new UGC regulation

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea challenging a recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation on the ground that it has adopted a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excludes certain categories from institutional protection.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of a lawyer seeking urgent hearing of the plea.

"There is a possibility of discrimination against the general class. My case is 'Rahul Dewan and Ors vs Union'," a lawyer said.

"We know what is happening. Make sure defects are cured. We will list it," the CJI said.

UGC Protest Live Updates: 'Complete rollback', Delhi University students protest against new UGC regulations

Protests against the newly notified UGC Equity Regulations 2026 spread to Delhi University on Wednesday, with at least 50 students gathered near the arts faculty in the north campus to demand a "complete rollback" of the rules.

The protesting students submitted a memorandum to the DU proctor's office, calling the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, "biased and divisive" and alleging that rules are ambiguous and contain loopholes. They said the framework, instead of addressing discrimination, could deepen divisions on campuses.

Students participating in the protest said that the new regulations "aggravate existing differences instead of promoting sensitisation."

Alokit Tripathi, a PhD student, urged the university to support the demand for a rollback formally. "The DU should stand with us and demand a rollback of the regulations. The longer the university takes, the more chaos it will create on the campus," he said.

UGC Bill Protest Live Updates: What the regulations aim to do

The objective clause sets the tone for the entire framework. It seeks to eradicate discrimination only on specified grounds like religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, and disability.

The word “only” is significant, as it confines the scope of the regulations to discrimination based on specified identity grounds, excluding general grievances or academic disputes.

At the same time, the regulations explicitly prioritise certain groups, including, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (EBC)Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)Persons with disabilitiesThis prioritisation reflects a remedial approach, focusing on historically disadvantaged communities, while formally keeping the protection available to all stakeholders.

UGC Protest Live: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin urges Centre not to dilute reforms

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Thursday described the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 as a "delayed but welcome" reform, calling it a crucial step towards addressing deep-rooted discrimination and institutional apathy within India's higher education system.


In a post on X, CM Stalin said that since the BJP came to power at the Centre, there has been a noticeable rise in student suicides in higher education institutions, particularly among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.

He also alleged that students from South India, Kashmir, and minority communities have increasingly faced harassment and targeted attacks, making equity safeguards an "unavoidable necessity" rather than a policy choice.

UGC Bill Protest Live Updates: Students protest against new in Patna

Patna witnessed tense scenes on Wednesday as hundreds of students staged a fierce protest against the proposed UGC Bill at Dinkar Golambar, a major traffic intersection in the city.

The protest, organised under the banners of the All Bihar Students Union (ABSU) and Savarna Ekta Manch, saw sloganeering against the central government and burning of materials on the road, briefly disrupting traffic movement.

When the University Grants Commission (UGC), the statutory body under the Union education ministry that regulates universities and colleges, notified its Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, it introduced a new set of rules that will apply across campuses nationwide.

The regulations govern how colleges and universities must prevent, identify, and respond to discrimination involving students, teachers, and staff.

UGC Protest Live Updates: Section of Allahabad HC lawyers stages protest against UGC new regulations

A section of lawyers of Allahabad High Court on Wednesday staged a demonstration against UGC's new regulation to counter caste-based discrimination in campuses and warned of a public movement if it is not withdrawn within 48 hours.

At Ambedkar crossing near the high court, the lawyers raised slogans and burnt a copy of UGC's Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations (PEHEIR) 2026 and demanded its withdrawal terming it as 'divisive'.

They criticized the new regulation, saying it will divide the society and create animosity among different castes.

Former joint secretary of high court bar association Ashutosh Tiwari demanded immediate withdrawal of the regulation.

He said that ignoring the public protest would prove to be counter-productive for the government, as public resentment is high everywhere.

Those who spoke warned that if this bill is not withdrawn within 48 hours, the lawyers will launch a public movement against it and the entire government machinery would be responsible for it.

UGC Protest Live: Political fallout

The agitation spilled beyond campuses, with a BJP Kisan Morcha leader resigning in Rae Bareli and protests by upper caste groups reported from Kaushambi and Deoria.

UGC Protest Live: Lawyers issue ultimatum

A section of Allahabad High Court lawyers gave the government 48 hours to withdraw the regulations, warning of a broader public movement if demands were ignored.

UGC Bill Protest Live Updates: Students protest across cities

Students staged coordinated protests in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Kanpur, alleging that the new UGC regulations would deepen divisions on campuses rather than promote inclusion.