UPSC CARE Mains Practice 23rd January 2026

Mains Practice Questions for the Day

Discuss the significance of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 in addressing caste-based discrimination in India’s higher education system.

(GS Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice – Government policies and interventions for social justice – Issues relating to education and vulnerable sections)

Introduction:

Caste-based discrimination continues to undermine equality, dignity, and access in India’s higher education institutions despite constitutional guarantees. The UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 represent a decisive shift from advisory guidelines to an enforceable regulatory framework, aimed at institutionalising equity, inclusion, and accountability within universities and colleges.

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1. Strengthening the Legal Framework for Social Justice

The 2026 Regulations explicitly include SCs, STs, and OBCs within the definition of caste-based discrimination, correcting a major omission in the draft rules. This aligns the regulatory framework with Articles 14, 15(4), 15(5), 21, and 46 of the Constitution, thereby giving statutory backing to the principle of substantive equality in education.

2. Institutionalising Equity Mechanisms

For the first time, all higher education institutions are mandated to establish Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs) and Equity Committees with compulsory representation from marginalised groups, women, and persons with disabilities. This embeds equity within the governance architecture of institutions rather than treating it as an external obligation.

3. Ensuring Accountability and Enforcement

The regulations introduce a clear reporting and monitoring framework, including bi-annual and annual reports and oversight by a national-level monitoring committee. Importantly, penalties such as debarment from UGC schemes, prohibition of degree programmes, and even removal of recognition transform equity from a moral expectation into a regulatory duty.

4. Addressing Institutional Casteism

Studies such as the Thorat Committee (2007) and IIT Delhi Study (2019) reveal systemic discrimination through segregation, bias, and exclusion. By making heads of institutions personally responsible for compliance, the regulations directly target institutional apathy and administrative inertia.

5. Promoting Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Mandatory representation of SCs, STs, OBCs, women, and persons with disabilities in Equity Committees democratises decision-making and reduces elite capture of academic administration, thus fostering trust among marginalised students.

6. Challenges and Implementation Gaps

Despite their strength, the regulations face challenges such as:

Absence of explicit safeguards against discrimination at the admission stage
Risk of EOCs becoming symbolic if not granted autonomy
Lack of independent appellate grievance mechanisms
Variation in institutional capacity and willingness to implement reforms

Conclusion:

The UGC Regulations, 2026 mark a critical evolution from symbolic inclusion to rights-based, enforceable equity governance in higher education. If backed by social audits, faculty sensitisation, independent grievance redressal, and political will, they can transform universities into truly inclusive spaces and fulfil the constitutional promise of equal education for all.

Malaria remains a major global health challenge despite being preventable and curable. Discuss its key features, burden, and the initiatives undertaken at global and national levels for its elimination. (GS Paper II / III)

Introduction:

Malaria is a life-threatening vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite being preventable and curable, it continues to pose a serious global health challenge.

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Key Features:

Five Plasmodium species infect humans, of which P. falciparum is the deadliest and P. vivax the most widespread. After transmission, the parasite undergoes a liver stage before infecting red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and in severe cases, organ failure or death. Importantly, malaria transmission is closely linked to tropical and subtropical climatic conditions.

Burden of Malaria:

Globally, malaria affects about 263 million people and causes over 600,000 deaths annually, with Africa accounting for nearly 94–95% of the burden. In India, significant progress has been achieved—between 2015 and 2023, malaria cases declined by around 80%, and deaths reduced sharply. In 2024, India exited the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) list, marking a major milestone towards its goal of malaria elimination by 2030.

Initiatives for Elimination:

At the global level, the World Health Organization leads efforts through the Global Malaria Programme and the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (2016–2030), aiming to drastically reduce cases and deaths and eliminate malaria in multiple countries. Innovations such as artemisinin-based combination therapy and WHO-approved vaccines (RTS,S and R21) have strengthened control efforts.

At the national level, India’s response includes the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030), the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, and research collaboration through MERA-India under the Indian Council of Medical Research. Focused interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and targeted preventive chemotherapy have been central to recent gains.

Conclusion:

While malaria remains a major public health challenge, sustained political commitment, scientific innovation, and integrated global-national strategies make its elimination by 2030 an achievable goal.