UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre to set up panel to review UGC equity norms

Q1. Consider the following assertion: A regulation framed by the University Grants Commission on campus discrimination cannot validly confer on the Commission a power that the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 does not give it. Which of the statements given above support/supports the assertion?

1. The UGC Act, 1956 empowers the Commission to make regulations that are consistent with the Act and the rules made under it.
2. The University Grants Commission is a body created by an Act of Parliament and not by the Constitution.
3. The 2026 equity Regulations of the Commission were opposed by groups of students who called them one-sided.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 1 only
• D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. With reference to the constitutional provisions against caste discrimination, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. Article 15(2) bars caste-based restrictions on access to shops, public restaurants and hotels even when these are privately owned.
2. Article 29(2) bars denial of admission on grounds only of caste to educational institutions maintained by the State or receiving aid out of State funds.
3. Article 29(2) can be invoked only by citizens belonging to religious or linguistic minorities.
4. Article 15(5) enables special provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in admission to private unaided institutions too, except minority educational institutions.

• A. 1, 3 and 4 only
• B. 2, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4 only
• D. 1 and 2 only

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the equality provisions that are relevant to campus anti-discrimination rules: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Article 14 can be invoked by any person, including a foreign national studying in India, whereas Article 15(1) can be invoked only by citizens.
2. Article 15(1) lists language among the grounds on which the State shall not discriminate, as Article 29(2) does for admission to State-aided institutions.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. Both 1 and 2
• D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q4. Suppose a UGC regulation creates a dedicated grievance mechanism for complaints of caste discrimination raised by students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and a student from another group challenges it under Article 14. Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The mere fact that the mechanism is designed for a defined group of students does not by itself violate Article 14.
2. The classification will be valid under Article 14 so long as the body framing the regulation is competent to frame it, irrespective of the classification's connection with the regulation's object.
3. If the classification bears no rational relation to the regulation's object, it can be struck down even though the group it favours is a disadvantaged one.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 1 and 3 only

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. The Constitution permits the State to make special provisions for the advancement of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, including in admission to educational institutions, notwithstanding the general bar on caste-based discrimination.
2. Article 15(1) prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

• A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
• B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
• C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
• D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q6. Which of the following pairs of bodies can be abolished only through an amendment of the Constitution, and not by an ordinary Act of Parliament?

• A. NCSC and NCST
• B. NCSC and NHRC
• C. NCST and UGC
• D. UGC and NHRC