UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — No discrimination under UGC’s new equity rules, says Education Minister

Q1. In the context of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, what is an 'Equity Squad'?

  • A. A mobile institutional body within a Higher Education Institution that visits vulnerable spots on campus and maintains vigil against discrimination
  • B. A UGC-appointed external inspection team that audits HEIs annually for compliance with reservation norms
  • C. A bench of the National Commission for Backward Classes that hears campus discrimination complaints
  • D. A standing parliamentary committee that reviews equity in centrally funded universities

Q2. The UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 were notified under which one of the following parent statutes?

  • A. University Grants Commission Act, 1956
  • B. Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006
  • C. Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
  • D. National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993

Q3. With reference to the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 vis-à-vis the UGC Equity Guidelines, 2012, consider the following statements: 1. The 2012 framework was advisory in nature whereas the 2026 Regulations are binding and provide for penal action against non-compliant institutions. 2. While the 2012 guidelines focused largely on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, the 2026 Regulations expand the protected groups to include Economically Weaker Sections, persons with disabilities and women. 3. The 2026 Regulations have abolished the institutional mechanism of Equal Opportunity Cells/Centres envisaged under the 2012 guidelines and replaced them entirely with mobile Equity Squads. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2012 framework was advisory in nature whereas the 2026 Regulations are binding and provide for penal action against non-compliant institutions.
  2. While the 2012 guidelines focused largely on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, the 2026 Regulations expand the protected groups to include Economically Weaker Sections, persons with disabilities and women.
  3. The 2026 Regulations have abolished the institutional mechanism of Equal Opportunity Cells/Centres envisaged under the 2012 guidelines and replaced them entirely with mobile Equity Squads.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, consider the following institutional bodies/mechanisms purportedly mandated under the framework: 1. Equal Opportunity Centre 2. Equity Squad 3. Equity Committee 4. Inter-University Equity Tribunal Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a body mandated under the 2026 Regulations?

  1. Equal Opportunity Centre
  2. Equity Squad
  3. Equity Committee
  4. Inter-University Equity Tribunal
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q5. Under the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, the Equity Committee constituted at a Higher Education Institution is chaired by:

  • A. The head of the institution (Vice-Chancellor / Director / Principal)
  • B. The senior-most Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe faculty member nominated by the UGC
  • C. A retired High Court judge nominated by the Ministry of Education
  • D. The Dean of Students' Welfare of the institution