Constitutional law

The 2012 rules focused heavily on redressal after an event occurred. The 2026 regulations expand the “duty to promote equity” into proactive monitoring. This includes the creation of “Equity Squads” and “Equity Ambassadors” who act as a continuous vigilante presence on campus. For a general category student, this feels like a shift from a “justice-on-demand” system of 2012 to a “permanent surveillance” system of 2026.

Living under a “permanent vigil” increases psychological stress. Instead of focusing entirely on complex problem-solving or research, a student’s mental energy is partially diverted toward self-policing and monitoring their own social interactions. This constant state of high-alert anxiety leads to mental fatigue and a drop in overall academic efficiency.

Mandatory Establishment and Scope Regulation no. 5(1) provides for the mandatory establishment of equal opportunity centre (EOC) in every HEI.

No aid for students of general category, they are treated as money machine to impose heavy fees on any account.

This burden on general category which is having their admission on the basis of merit, will cause huge academic loss and ultimately HEI will lose their reputations of good academics in society.

This section mandates that every higher education institution must set up and run a dedicated Equity Helpline that stays active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It ensures that help is always available, regardless of the time. There is also a backup plan included.

HEIs are required to follow all specific instructions and guidelines issued by the UGC regarding equity. This specifically includes the “Guidelines to Provide Equitable Opportunity for the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs),” ensuring that national standards for supporting underprivileged students are strictly met. As there is no commission for general category, there is no one to protect their rights. In absence of such commission of general category, there are no specific instructions and guidelines to cultivate merit by HEI. In absence of merit and intelligent students, HEI will lose their academic reputation.

The EOC Coordinator will chair the Equity Committee meeting instead, and the final investigation report will be sent to the person’s boss or the next higher governing authority, like the Chancellor or the Ministry. If head of HEI is from general category, then to remove him from post, rival staff or faculty member may misuse these regulations and influence students from deprave classes in exchange of marks or other benefits.

When an amicus curiae is appointed to help with the appeal process, they are entitled to a reasonable fee for their services. This section clarifies that the responsibility for paying this fee lies with the Higher Education Institution (HEI) itself. This ensures that the cost of expert legal assistance does not fall on the student or the person filing the appeal.

The UGC is required to form a high-level national committee to oversee everything. This committee will be made up of representatives from various professional councils, government commissions, and members of civil society. Their job is not just to check if the rules are being followed, but also to study the broader issues of discrimination in higher education and recommend new ways to prevent it. This committee must meet at least twice every year to discuss their findings and progress. What is the use of such discussion, when it will not gain any fruit of unity of Indian society?