Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Congress Demands Enforcement of Article 15(5) in Private Colleges
The Congress party wants the government to make sure that private colleges follow the rules of Article 15(5) of the Constitution, which allows special seats for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
They say that a new bill about higher education should include this rule.
The Congress also thinks that the government should do more to help these students get into good colleges.
There is a new rule by the University Grants Commission that wants colleges to have special teams to make sure everyone is treated fairly, but some people think this might cause more problems than it solves.
The Congress wants the government to make these changes to help more students from these groups get a good education.
Congress demands enforcement of Article 15(5) in private colleges to ensure reservations for SC, ST, and OBC students.
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 proposes a single central regulator for higher education, replacing the UGC.
UGC's Equity Regulations, 2026 mandate Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees in higher education institutions.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education urged Parliament to legislate mandatory reservations in private institutions.
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Article 15(5) in 2014, but there is still no parliamentary law enforcing it.
- Who
- Congress party, led by Jairam Ramesh
- What
- Demanded enforcement of Article 15(5) in private colleges and criticized the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025
- When
- Article 15(5) was inserted in 2005, and the bill was introduced in December 2025
- Where
- India, specifically in the context of higher education institutions
- Why
- To ensure social justice and reservations for SC, ST, and OBC students in private institutions
- Article 15(5)
- Allows reservations for SC, ST, and OBC students in private institutions
- Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025
- Proposes a single central regulator for higher education
- UGC's Equity Regulations, 2026
- Mandates Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees in higher education institutions
- Parliamentary Standing Committee Report (August 2025)
- Urged Parliament to legislate mandatory reservations in private institutions
- Supreme Court Verdict (May 6, 2014)
- Upheld the constitutionality of Article 15(5)
