UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Plea in SC contests UGC regulations limiting reservation to SC/ST/OBC

Q1. Under the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which one of the following is designated as the mandatory nodal institutional body in every Higher Education Institution for implementation of equity policies and handling of discrimination grievances?

  • A. Equal Opportunity Centre
  • B. Equity Committee
  • C. Internal Complaints Committee
  • D. Students' Grievance Redressal Committee

Q2. In the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, the term 'caste-based discrimination' under Regulation 3(c) — currently stayed by the Supreme Court — has been defined as discrimination on the basis of caste or tribe directed against members of:

  • A. any citizen of India, irrespective of caste category
  • B. only the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
  • C. only the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes
  • D. the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections

Q3. Under the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, within how many WORKING DAYS of receiving a complaint of discrimination is the Equity Committee required to submit its inquiry report to the Head of the Institution?

  • A. 7 working days
  • B. 15 working days
  • C. 30 working days
  • D. 60 working days

Q4. The UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 — recently stayed by the Supreme Court — were notified by the University Grants Commission in exercise of the rule-making powers conferred under which of the following statutes?

  • A. Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
  • B. Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006
  • C. University Grants Commission Act, 1956
  • D. National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004