OBC, minority, and Muslim students demand revisions to ensure true inclusivity, decry lack of representation in UGC’s draft equity guidelines
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently released the draft Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2025, aiming to create a discrimination-free environment in the country’s higher education institutions (HEIs). While the draft sets out a framework to prevent discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, it has faced significant backlash from student groups, particularly from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, as well as minority and Muslim student organisations.
The All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), alongside various minority groups, has raised alarm over what they see as serious gaps in the draft. They argue that the guidelines fail to adequately address caste-based discrimination and neglect the systemic barriers faced by students from socially and educationally backward communities. In addition, minority and Muslim student organisations have pointed out that the draft fails to fully represent their unique challenges in higher education.
AIOBCSA’s national president, Kiran Kumar Gaur, described the draft as “incomplete” and “exclusionary,” asserting that the guidelines overlook the reality of caste-based discrimination in educational institutions. “The exclusion of OBCs from the definition of socially and educationally backward groups (SEDGs) is a historic mistake,” Gaur said. He added that OBC students often face significant challenges, and the draft’s failure to explicitly include them will only perpetuate inequalities.
One of the major points of contention is the exclusion of OBCs from the list of SEDGs, as outlined in the draft. The AIOBCSA strongly opposes this, stating that it directly contradicts the constitutional recognition of OBCs under Articles 15(4) and 15(5) of the Constitution, which provide for affirmative action in education and employment.
Gaur emphasised that many OBC communities face severe caste-based discrimination, and excluding them from this framework sends the wrong message. “The UGC must acknowledge the reality of caste discrimination faced by OBC students and explicitly include SEBCs in the rules,” he urged.
The draft proposes the formation of an equity committee to oversee issues related to caste discrimination. However, AIOBCSA points out that out of the 10 members proposed for the committee, only one would represent a woman and one from the SC or ST communities. The association has called for more inclusive representation, demanding that more than half of the committee members be from the SC, ST, and OBC communities. “This will ensure that the committee is representative and capable of making just decisions,” Gaur argued.
The AIOBCSA has also called for the term Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) to replace SEDGs in the draft. The group argues that caste-based discrimination is the primary issue faced by students in higher education, not merely socio-economic factors. “Excluding SEBCs from the equity rules is contrary to their constitutional recognition,” Gaur explained.
Another point raised by AIOBCSA is the lack of a clear definition of caste discrimination in the draft. The association has requested that the UGC explicitly outline the forms and severity of caste-based discrimination to ensure that complaints are taken seriously and effectively addressed. “Discrimination against SC, ST, and OBC students is a reality that must be confronted,” said Gaur.
The AIOBCSA has also demanded stricter measures against caste-based discrimination by faculty and administrative staff. It proposes that any form of caste-based discrimination, whether verbal, written, or systemic, should lead to severe consequences, including dismissal and legal action. Gaur stressed that “a zero-tolerance approach is essential to create a truly inclusive environment. “
In addition to OBC students, minority and Muslim student organisations have voiced concerns over the exclusion of issues specific to their communities in the UGC draft.
The Indian Muslim Students Association (IMSA) has raised concerns about the lack of attention given to religious discrimination, particularly against Muslim students, in the draft. IMSA president, Farhan Khan, stated, “While caste discrimination is critical, the draft ignores the growing issue of religious intolerance in campuses, where Muslim students often face biases that hinder their academic and social participation.”
Khan emphasised that in some universities, Muslim students experience both overt and covert discrimination, such as being targeted over their religious identity, facing prejudices in academic assessments, and exclusion from mainstream student activities. “Religious discrimination is just as prevalent as caste discrimination in India’s universities, and the UGC must address it in its policies,” he added.
The IMSA also highlighted the lack of Muslim representation in the equity committee, echoing the concerns raised by AIOBCSA regarding inadequate representation of backward communities. “The absence of Muslims in the decision-making process only deepens the institutional biases that already exists,” said Khan.
The issue of mental health was also raised by both Muslim and OBC student groups. “Caste and religious discrimination affect students’ mental well-being, and institutions must provide proper support mechanisms,” said Tanveer Alam, a member of the All India Muslim Students Federation (AIMSF). He urged the UGC to ensure that higher educational institutions have dedicated support systems, including mental health services and legal aid, for students facing caste- and religion-based discrimination.
Farhan Khan of IMSA called for an explicit acknowledgment of the challenges faced by Muslim students in the draft. “Just as OBCs need to be included in the equity framework, Muslims must also be recognised as a group facing unique challenges in higher education,” Khan stressed. He further added, “In the absence of such measures, the UGC cannot claim to have created a truly inclusive educational environment.”
The AIOBCSA has suggested the establishment of dedicated anti-caste and anti-religion discrimination cells within universities, staffed with representatives from OBC, SC, ST, and Muslim communities. Additionally, the association has called for transparency in how caste- and religion-based discrimination cases are handled, urging the publication of annual reports and mandatory sensitisation programmes for faculty and staff.
“Discrimination does not only impact students academically but also severely affects their mental health,” Gaur said, underlining the importance of mental health support systems in addressing these issues.
The UGC has opened a 30-day feedback period through a Google Form, inviting suggestions from stakeholders, including students, teachers, and civil society groups. The AIOBCSA, IMSA, and other student organisations have urged OBC, Muslim, and other minority students to actively participate in the consultation process.
Gaur of AIOBCSA emphasised the importance of student engagement: “If we don’t raise our voices now, this exclusion will continue, and the promise of equality and inclusion in higher education will remain unmet.” The student groups are rallying for a broader inclusion of caste- and religion-based provisions in the draft.
