The UGC Regulation Act, 2026: Policy Pitfalls, Political Perils, and a Prudent Path forward
In a nation striving for equity in higher education, the UGC Regulation Act, 2026 promised protection against discrimination based on caste (SC, ST, OBC) and physical disability. By elevating the 2012 UGC Advisory into a binding mandate, the government aimed to foster inclusivity. Yet, this well-intentioned move has ignited fury, especially among general category students, exposing deep policy fractures. A regulation meant to unite has instead sown division. Policy Loopholes: From Protection to Provocation Critics argue the Act's framework is riddled with oversights that undermine its noble goals. Chief among them: - Exclusion of General Category Students : The regulation glaringly omits safeguards for non-reserved categories, breeding resentment and accusations of reverse bias. - Vulnerability to Misuse : Absent mechanisms to curb false complaints—unlike robust provisions in dowry or harassment laws—this invites exploitation. - Questionable Oversight : Delegating enforcement to ...