The Spark of the Equity March at Delhi University

On February 3, 2026, hundreds of students took to the streets of Delhi University's North Campus in a vibrant display of solidarity known as the 'Equity March.' Organized primarily by the All India Students' Association (AISA) alongside other student groups, the procession wound through key landmarks on campus, from the Arts Faculty to the heart of North Campus, culminating in a public meeting filled with impassioned speeches. Carrying placards and chanting slogans, participants decried the recent Supreme Court stay on the University Grants Commission (UGC) Equity Regulations, arguing that it undermines long-fought efforts to combat caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Nitish addressed the crowd, stating, 'After years of blood and toil on the streets, we forced the UGC to introduce regulations that finally spoke the language of accountability. The stay on these guidelines is a clear indication that casteism remains deeply entrenched within the highest echelons of our institutions.' This event marks a pivotal moment in ongoing campus activism, highlighting the divide between those advocating for stricter anti-discrimination measures and concerns over potential misuse.

Unpacking the UGC Promotion of Equity Regulations, 2026

The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, notified on January 13, 2026, represent a comprehensive framework aimed at eradicating discrimination in Indian universities and colleges. These regulations target unfair treatment based on caste, tribe, religion, race, gender, place of birth, or disability, with a particular emphasis on protecting Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

Key mandates include establishing an Equal Opportunity Centre (EOC) in every HEI, overseen by an Equity Committee to handle complaints within strict timelines—preliminary inquiry in 15 days, final resolution in 90 days, with appeal rights. Institutions must also form Equity Squads for preventive vigilance and appoint Equity Ambassadors in each department or school to foster inclusivity. Non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, such as debarment from UGC grants or degree-awarding status. The process begins with a written or oral complaint to the EOC, followed by inquiry, hearings, and enforcement, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Cultural context in India, where caste hierarchies persist despite constitutional reservations, underscores the need for such measures. For instance, reserved seats in faculty positions at Delhi University took years to fill adequately, exacerbating feelings of isolation among SC/ST students.

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Timeline: From Notification to Judicial Intervention

• 2016: Rohith Vemula's suicide at University of Hyderabad sparks nationwide protests, leading to demands for anti-discrimination laws.
• 2019: Supreme Court directs UGC to revise 2012 regulations following petitions by Vemula and Payal Tadvi's mothers.
• January 13, 2026: UGC notifies the 2026 Equity Regulations after expert committee review and public consultations.
• Late January 2026: General category protests erupt at DU and elsewhere, citing vagueness and bias.
• January 29, 2026: Supreme Court stays implementation, reverting to 2012 rules; next hearing March 19.
• February 3, 2026: Equity March at DU demands reversal of stay and Rohith Act.

This compressed timeline illustrates how rapidly policy can polarize campuses.

Supreme Court's Rationale for the Stay

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant stayed the regulations, terming them 'prima facie vague and prone to misuse.' Critics argued the definition of 'caste-based discrimination'—limited to acts against SC/ST/OBC—excluded general category victims and lacked safeguards against false complaints. Equity Squads' roles were unclear, potentially leading to vigilantism, and committees might not represent all groups adequately.

The court ordered the Centre to respond and reinstated 2012 guidelines, which list 25 specific discriminatory acts without institutional penalties. This decision reflects judicial caution in balancing equity with fairness.

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Dueling Protests: Voices For and Against

Initial opposition came from general category students at DU, who dubbed the rules a 'mob lynching regulation for GC students,' fearing harassment without reciprocal protections. Vishwavidit Pratap Singh, a DU research scholar, highlighted instilled fear among non-reserved groups.

Post-stay, pro-equity marches intensified. At Jantar Mantar, DU and JNU participants, including professors like Nandita Narain, decried underrepresentation: 'It took years for Delhi University to start appointing teachers from reserved categories.' AISA's Equity March emphasized vulnerability of marginalized students.

Historical Roots: Rohith Vemula and Campus Tragedies

The regulations trace to Rohith Vemula's 2016 suicide, allegedly due to caste discrimination after hostel expulsion amid protests. This ignited demands for the 'Rohith Act,' a central law mandating anti-discrimination frameworks in HEIs with statutory teeth. Similar cases like Payal Tadvi (2019, AIIMS) fueled Supreme Court intervention.

Protesters now link the stay to entrenched casteism, renewing Rohith Act calls for prevention beyond UGC rules.

Evidence of Discrimination: Statistics and Cases

Caste discrimination complaints rose 118% over five years in some reports, with SC/ST student suicides linked to bias in elite institutions like IITs—18 cases noted recently. Covert biases persist post-admission, including grading disparities and social exclusion.

DU professor N. Sukumar recounted 25 years of visible discrimination. Read the full UGC Regulations PDF for official data mandates.

Stakeholder Perspectives: A Balanced View

• Students (Pro): AISA, SFI demand accountability; 'battle for universities' soul.'
• Faculty (Mixed):Narain supports; others note systemic issues.
• Admins:Wary of penalties, implementation burdens.
• Experts:Prof. Thorat suggests clarifications; courts flag vagueness.
• General Category:Fear reverse discrimination.

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2026 vs. 2012 Regulations: Key Differences

The shift emphasizes prevention but invites misuse critiques.

The Push for Rohith Act: Beyond Regulations

Equity Marchers demand the Rohith Act for legally binding protections, preventing dilution via stays. Karnataka and others propose state versions, but national law is urged for uniformity.

Photo by Shivansh Singh on Unsplash

Implications and Future Outlook

The stay reverts campuses to weaker 2012 frameworks amid rising tensions. Solutions include redrafted rules with false complaint penalties, balanced committees, and training. Until March 19, activism persists, potentially reshaping equity in Indian higher education.

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