Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Delhi Students Protest UGC Equity Regulations, Several Detained
Students held a protest in Delhi against new University Grants Commission equity regulations.
The demonstration took place at Connaught Place on Sunday.
Police detained several protesters.
Police said no permission had been given for a separate protest at Shah Auditorium.
They also said rules banning large gatherings were already active in North Delhi.
The day before, another group protested against caste-based reservations at Jantar Mantar.
That group wanted reservation benefits to be based on income instead of caste or social identity.
Police and central forces were deployed at Jantar Mantar to help maintain order.
Students protested against the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026, at Connaught Place’s Outer Circle on Sunday.
Delhi Police detained several protesters following the demonstration.
Police said claims that permission had been granted for an August 23 protest at Shah Auditorium were false and misleading.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS ban marches, demonstrations, and assemblies of five or more people in North Delhi.
A day earlier, Reservation Hatao Andolan protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand income-based quotas and withdrawal of the UGC’s 2026 caste-equity directives.
- Who
- Students and Reservation Hatao Andolan protesters; Delhi Police and central forces were deployed in response.
- What
- Protests were held against the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026, and caste-based reservation; several protesters were detained.
- When
- The student protest occurred on Sunday, while the Jantar Mantar protest occurred a day earlier; the disputed Shah Auditorium event was described as planned for August 23.
- Where
- Connaught Place’s Outer Circle and Jantar Mantar in New Delhi; Shah Auditorium was mentioned as a proposed venue.
- Why
- Protesters demanded changes to caste-based reservation and withdrawal of the UGC’s 2026 caste-equity directives.
- Main issue
- Opposition to the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026, and caste-based reservation
- Student protest location
- Connaught Place’s Outer Circle, New Delhi
- Police action
- Several protesters were detained
- Prohibitory orders
- Section 163 of the BNSS was in force in North Delhi
- Reservation Hatao Andolan demands
- Income-based quotas, a one-family-one-reservation policy, and withdrawal of the UGC directives
- Earlier protest location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Security deployment
- Delhi Police and central forces were deployed at Jantar Mantar