India, Jan. 28 -- Protests have intensified over the University Grants Commission's recent notice on promoting equity in higher education institutions.

The new rule 'Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026' aims to curb discrimination only on the basis of religion, race, gender, place of birth, caste, or disability, particularly against the members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, socially and educationally backward classes, economically weaker sections, persons with disabilities, or any of them, and to promote full equity and inclusion amongst the stakeholders in higher education institutions.

What are the new rules, who is affected by them, and what are the latest developments surrounding them?...