The University Grants Commission (UGC) has drafted the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2025, aimed at fostering inclusivity and eliminating discrimination in higher education institutions (HEIs). These regulations align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and seek to create a safe, equitable, and discrimination-free academic environment for students, faculty, and staff.
This development follows the Supreme Court’s directive on January 3, 2025, which instructed the UGC to frame new regulations within six weeks to address caste-based discrimination and prevent suicides among marginalized students. The directive was issued during the hearing of a 2019 petition filed by Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi, mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who allegedly died by suicide in 2016 due to caste-based discrimination.
UGC Updates:
UGC invites Comments/Suggestions/Feedback on the Draft University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2025.
🖇️Send your suggestion on: https://t.co/FuL9tEBHPB pic.twitter.com/YMmtlvcHIe
— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) February 27, 2025
Some of the key features of the draft guidelines include establishment of EOC, formation of equity committees, squad and ambassadors, 24/7 Equity Helpline and others. Each of these initiatives is designed to ensure a supportive and equitable environment for students and staff. Below is a detailed overview of these key features.
The UGC has proposed the establishment of Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs) in all HEIs to oversee the implementation of anti-discrimination policies. These centers will provide academic, financial, and social support to students and staff while ensuring campus diversity.
Each EOC will be led by a permanent professor appointed as the coordinator, who will also serve as the member secretary. The coordinator will work closely with civil society groups, local media, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations, faculty, and parents to achieve the regulatory objectives.
To monitor and address discrimination cases, HEIs must form a 10-member equity committee chaired by the institution’s head (ex-officio). The committee will include:
- Four senior faculty members
- Two representatives from civil society
- Two student special invitees (based on merit, sports, or co-curricular achievements)
- At least one woman member
- One representative each from SC and ST communities
The chairperson and committee members will serve for two years, while student invitees will hold their positions for one year.
To ensure effective monitoring, HEIs must establish equity squads, which will patrol campuses and report discriminatory incidents. Additionally, each department, faculty, hostel, library, and facility will appoint an equity ambassador to promote fairness, implement programs, and report violations.
Each HEI must set up a round-the-clock equity helpline to assist individuals facing discrimination. The helpline will maintain confidentiality upon request and refer serious cases involving penal laws to law enforcement.
Aggrieved individuals can report discrimination via an online portal or the Equity Helpline. Upon receiving a complaint, the equity committee must meet within 24 hours and submit a report within 15 working days. If the complaint involves the head of the institution, the EOC coordinator will preside over the committee, and the report will be escalated to the next higher authority.
False complaints of discrimination may result in fines determined by the equity committee, the UGC draft stated.
Failure to comply with the new regulations, once they become law, could result in strict penalties. The UGC may conduct inquiries and impose sanctions such as:
- Debarment from UGC funding schemes
- Restrictions on offering degree programs and online courses
- Removal from the UGC-approved institutions list
The UGC has invited comments, suggestions, and feedback from stakeholders, including students, faculty, and administrators on the draft regulations. Stakeholders can submit their inputs via the Google Form link provided in the official notice within 30 days from the date of publication.
These draft regulations represent a significant step towards fostering an inclusive and discrimination-free academic environment across India’s HEIs. The final version of the regulations will be released after incorporating stakeholder feedback.
