Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday categorically stated that the law will not be misused and that constitutional safeguards will be upheld for all.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
New Delhi: The controversy surrounding the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly notified regulations continues to intensify, with protests erupting in several parts of the country. For the first time since the issue surfaced, the Central Government has broken its silence, assuring that the new rules will not lead to discrimination against any individual.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday categorically stated that the law will not be misused and that constitutional safeguards will be upheld for all.
Education Minister’s Assurance
“I want to humbly assure everyone that there will be no harassment or discrimination against anyone. No one—whether the UGC, state governments, or the central government—will misuse the law. Everything will function strictly within the framework of the Constitution. No one will be discriminated against.”
What Is the UGC Regulation Controversy?
The row stems from the UGC’s recently notified ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026’, which lays down four key directives:
Despite the government’s assurance, the regulations have drawn sharp criticism. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging Rule 3(c) of the notification.
The petition alleges that the UGC’s definition of caste-based discrimination recognises only SC, ST and OBC categories, while excluding candidates and teachers from the general category, despite claims that they too face caste-based discrimination in academic institutions.
The matter is now under judicial scrutiny, even as protests and debates over the regulations continue nationwide.
