The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it was considering setting up a committee to review the rules. The government has filed an affidavit in the matter, indicating that the provisions will be examined again to ensure that no section of students feels excluded or apprehensive. The move is being seen as an attempt to address growing resentment among upper-caste communities, particularly as politically significant states, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, are scheduled to hold Assembly elections next year.
The controversy has also triggered sustained opposition on social media, with members of the general category expressing concerns over the potential misuse of the new provisions. The protests have created a political challenge for the BJP, which has traditionally received support from upper-caste communities while also expanding its political presence among OBC and Dalit voters.
The central point of disagreement concerns the provisions introduced to promote equality and prevent caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. Under the new rules, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) were given specific protection against caste-based discrimination. However, students belonging to the general category began opposing the provisions, arguing that they could be marginalised and that the rules might be misused.
The regulations also provided for the formation of an 'Equity Committee' in higher educational institutions to address caste-based discrimination. The proposed committee was to include members from the SC, ST and OBC communities, along with women and persons with disabilities. However, no member from the general category was included in its composition. This provision became one of the main reasons behind the growing resentment among upper-caste groups.
The Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it was considering constituting a committee to reconsider the regulations and ensure that students from every section felt adequately represented and protected. However, protesting upper-caste groups have maintained that a review is not enough and that the government must withdraw the rules completely.
The demonstrations also created unease within the BJP. Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh have been leading the government's efforts to engage with youth organisations protesting against the regulations. In September, the two ministers met representatives of the UGC rollback campaign led by the Kshatriya Karni Sena. Following the meeting, a proposed Mahapanchayat was postponed.
Concerns among general-category students have also centred on the absence of clearly defined provisions against false complaints. Some members of the upper-caste community believe that the new regulations effectively portray them as the primary perpetrators of caste-based discrimination. The wording of the regulations has further contributed to the controversy.
One provision specifically defines caste-based discrimination in terms of unfair treatment faced by members of the SC, ST and OBC communities. Another provision, however, prohibits discrimination against any student. Students from the general category argue that the difference between these provisions creates uncertainty over whether they would receive the same level of protection if they faced caste-based discrimination.
Supporters of the regulations, meanwhile, argue that historically disadvantaged communities require specific safeguards to protect them against discrimination. The disagreement over the scope and interpretation of these provisions has become central to the ongoing controversy.
For the BJP, completely withdrawing the regulations carries its own political risks. The party has established a support base among OBC and Dalit communities, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where Assembly elections are scheduled for next year. Caste equations remain politically sensitive in the state, where the BJP has also received support from upper-caste voters.
The party therefore faces the challenge of addressing the concerns of protesting general-category groups without weakening its support among OBC and Dalit communities. With the Centre signalling a review rather than promising a complete rollback, the future of the January 13, 2026, UGC regulations remains a politically sensitive issue.
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