UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Students hold demonstrations in U.P.

Q1. With reference to the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, consider the following groups identified as protected stakeholders: 1. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 2. Socially and educationally backward classes 3. Economically weaker sections 4. Linguistic minorities Which of the above is/are correctly identified as protected stakeholders under the Regulations?

  1. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
  2. Socially and educationally backward classes
  3. Economically weaker sections
  4. Linguistic minorities
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The University Grants Commission, which notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, functions under the administrative control of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • B. Ministry of Education
  • C. Ministry of Minority Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Q3. With reference to the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The Regulations were notified by the University Grants Commission in January 2026. 2. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry for these Regulations. 3. The Regulations replaced the earlier UGC anti-discrimination regulations of 2012. 4. The Supreme Court of India stayed the Regulations within the same month of their notification. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Regulations were notified by the University Grants Commission in January 2026.
  2. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry for these Regulations.
  3. The Regulations replaced the earlier UGC anti-discrimination regulations of 2012.
  4. The Supreme Court of India stayed the Regulations within the same month of their notification.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q4. The University Grants Commission, the body that issued the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, derives its statutory authority from which one of the following enactments?

  • A. University Grants Commission Act, 1956
  • B. Higher Education Commission of India Act, 2018
  • C. Central Universities Act, 2009
  • D. National Commission for Higher Education and Research Act, 2010

Q5. The Supreme Court order of 29 January 2026 staying the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 was delivered by a Division Bench headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
  • B. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna
  • C. Chief Justice Surya Kant
  • D. Chief Justice B.R. Gavai