EP-384 | UGC Regulations 2026: Dr Vikas Divyakirti on Protests, Reservation & Caste Discrimination

EP-384 | UGC Regulations 2026: Dr Vikas Divyakirti on Protests, Reservation & Caste Discrimination

Author: Asian News International (ANI) January 29, 2026 Duration: 2:15:53

UGC Regulations 2026 are witnessing protests in North India with General Category students raising concerns that these rules could increase discrimination. They also worry about weak safeguards against false complaints and unclear mechanisms for addressing their grievances.

What is the purpose and scope of the UGC Equity Regulations? Are the protests against the new regulations organic? How do the new regulations differ from the 2012 regulations?

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, answers it all.


00:00 – Introduction

02:58 – UGC 2026 Regulations

10:48 – Implicit Discrimination Concerns

13:47 – Equity Committee Structure

21:10 – Bias in Faculty Hiring

28:28 – Social Reform in Education

37:47 – General Category & Marginalised Sections

42:09 – Inequality in Indian Society

47:51 – Merit-Based Selection

55:04 – Caste & Social Bias in Education

59:60 – Explicit & Implicit Discrimination

1:03:55 – Caste Discrimination Complaints

1:09:33 – Discrimination Definition

1:15:28 – Caste Representation in Academia

1:23:12 – Political Debate on New UGC Guidelines

1:26:18 – Gen Z in India

1:41:03 – Caste Representation

1:53:38 – BJP & Upper-Caste Vote Bank

1:58:26 – Reservation Debate

2:02:20 – “Batenge to Katenge” Slogan

2:09:42 – Caste-Sensitive Politics


Conversations that shape our world often happen behind closed doors or in the quiet moments after the headlines fade. ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash pulls up a chair to those discussions, offering a direct line to the minds of influential figures. Hosted by veteran journalist Smita Prakash, this series moves beyond the soundbite, creating a space where politicians, athletes, artists, and thinkers can explore the nuances of the issues that define contemporary India and global affairs. The dialogue here is driven by curiosity and a commitment to depth, allowing guests to elaborate on their perspectives, their decisions, and the personal experiences that inform their public lives. You will hear candid reflections on current events, policy debates, and cultural shifts, all through the lens of those at the center of the story. Produced by Asian News International, the podcast leverages a legacy of journalistic access and integrity, ensuring every conversation is both insightful and substantive. It’s more than an interview; it’s an opportunity to understand the motivations and narratives driving today’s news. For anyone looking to move past the surface and engage with the substance of politics, society, and human endeavor, this podcast provides a consistently thoughtful and compelling listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
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