Ranchi:The All India Students’ Association (AISA), Jharkhand, organized a press conference in Ranchi regarding the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations on Promotion of Equality (Equity Promotion) in Higher Education Institutions, 2026. AISA stated that the objective of these regulations—to eliminate discrimination based on religion, race, gender, place of birth, caste, and disability—is welcome.
However, AISA clarified that these regulations are not the result of any government initiative, but rather the outcome of years of student struggles, social movements, and judicial pressure. The institutional deaths of Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, and Darshan Solanki exposed the complete failure of the 2012 UGC guidelines. The inclusion of the OBC community within the scope of equality and protection under the 2026 regulations is a necessary and constitutionally mandated step that should have been implemented much earlier.
Citing UGC’s own data, AISA pointed out that complaints related to caste-based discrimination in universities and colleges increased by 118 percent between 2019 and 2024. While measures such as the expansion of Equal Opportunity Centres, the formation of Equity Committees, 24-hour helplines, and equity cells are positive steps, AISA warned against any attempt to use these regulations to bring state universities under excessive central control. Such centralization would be a direct attack on states’ rights and India’s federal structure, which AISA will not accept.
AISA also raised concerns over the weak and unclear representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and women in the Equity Committee, as well as serious questions regarding the selection process of its members. The organization cautioned that prioritizing RSS-inspired ideologies under the pretext of national interest—ideologies that have historically promoted caste and religious divisions—could further distance Dalit, backward-class, and Adivasi students from justice.
At a time when caste-based discrimination is rapidly increasing—whether through biased evaluation in examinations and interviews or declaring “NFS” (No Suitable Candidate Found) despite the availability of eligible candidates—these regulations have come very late. AISA emphasized that no additional financial burden should be imposed on students in the name of equity, especially when higher education institutions are already increasing fees by 20 to 30 percent annually.
AISA asserted that unless these regulations ensure genuine representation, restrict the unchecked role of institutional heads, clearly define responsibilities, and establish strict accountability, they will remain merely symbolic and progressive on paper. To press for these reforms, AISA will continue its struggle through a week-long awareness campaign across colleges and university campuses.
The press conference was addressed by AISA Jharkhand State Secretary Trilokinath, Ranchi District President Vijay Kumar, Nikhil Raj, and Sweta Kevat.
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