New UGC Regulations for Equity in Higher Education Institutions
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced new regulations mandating higher education institutions to establish 'equity committees'. These regulations, titled the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, aim to address discrimination complaints effectively.
Composition of Equity Committees
- Committees must include members from:
- Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
- Scheduled Castes (SCs)
- Scheduled Tribes (STs)
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
Background and Development
- A draft of the regulations was publicized in February last year for feedback.
- Issued after the Supreme Court's directive to the UGC, following a plea related to the suicides of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, allegedly due to caste bias.
Key Changes and Provisions
- The final regulations remove the section on 'false complaints' present in the draft.
- The definition of 'discrimination' now includes OBCs, addressing previous draft criticisms.
- Exclusion of 'harassment' and 'victimisation' definitions from the 2012 regulations.
- 'Equal Opportunity Cells' were previously mandated but not detailed in composition and function.
Action and Implementation
- Upon reporting discrimination:
- Equity committee meets within 24 hours.
- A report is submitted to the institution’s head within 15 working days.
- The institution head must act within seven days.
- Equity committee responsibilities include protecting complainants from retaliation and listing discriminatory acts.
- Institutions will establish an 'equity helpline' and 'equity squads' for vigilance.
National-Level Oversight and Compliance
- The UGC will form a national-level monitoring committee.
- This committee will oversee regulation implementation and suggest preventive measures for discrimination.
- Non-compliance with regulations can lead to an institution’s exclusion from UGC schemes and central grants.
