UGC Equity Row 2026: DU Students Protest, Demand Immediate Enforcement

Hundreds of students at Delhi University (DU) staged a demonstration on 3 February 2026, marching through the university’s North Campus to press for the immediate implementation of the UGC Equity Regulations 2026. The protest, dubbed the “Equity March,” was organised by the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and supported by other progressive campus groups. The demonstration was held amid growing tension over a stay order issued by the Supreme Court on the implementation of the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. Protesters argue that the judicial pause undermines long-standing efforts to curb caste-based discrimination and exclude marginalised students from equitable participation in academic life.

Key Demands: Enforcement of UGC Equity Regulations

Participants in the protest carried placards and raised slogans calling for:

• Immediate enforcement of the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 that were notified earlier this year.
• Legal protections and accountability mechanisms under the proposed ‘Rohith Act,’ named after Rohith Vemula, a postgraduate student whose death in 2016 highlighted systemic caste-based discrimination in Indian universities.
• Institutional reforms to safeguard students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) against discrimination on campuses.

Protesters have voiced that the equity regulations represent the culmination of years of student activism and advocacy for inclusive policies in higher education. They say that halting implementation risks leaving marginalised students vulnerable to exclusion and bias, especially in academic and administrative processes.

Controversy and Context

The UGC Equity Regulations 2026 were introduced to address caste-based discrimination and promote fairness in higher education institutions across India. The framework includes measures such as the establishment of Equal Opportunity Centres, equity committees, and mechanisms for reporting and addressing discriminatory practices. However, the regulations have sparked controversy, drawing criticism from various student groups and organisations. Opponents argue the language of the rules is vague and could be misused, while some have raised concerns about lack of clear safeguards against false complaints and the exclusion of general category students in the framework. The Supreme Court paused the implementation, citing preliminary concerns over the guidelines’ ambiguity and potential misuse. In response to nationwide dissent, the Union Education Ministry has defended the regulations, assuring that they will be implemented within the constitutional framework and under judicial supervision, and that misuse protections will be strengthened.

Broader Student Movement

The protest at Delhi University reflects wider agitation on Indian campuses. Similar demonstrations in support of the 2026 equity norms have been reported at other institutions, including Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where students and teachers called for formation of equal opportunity bodies and transparency in complaint mechanisms Students’ groups have warned of further mobilisation if the stay on the regulations is not lifted soon. They continue to urge the government and judiciary to reinstate and enforce the reforms to ensure a discrimination-free environment in higher education institutions nationwide.