Who Is the PCS Officer Who Resigned Over UGC Act, Topped 15th Rank in First Attempt

New Delhi: Alankar Agnihotri, a 2019 batch PCS officer, has resigned from his post as City Magistrate, Bareilly, in protest against the new UGC (University Grants Commission) Act, calling it a “black law.” Agnihotri, an IIT BHU alumnus with degrees in Engineering (B.Tech) and Law (LLB), had secured 15th rank in his first attempt at the UPPCS examination.

Background of Alankar Agnihotri
Alankar Agnihotri hails from Kanpur and has served in multiple administrative roles across Uttar Pradesh, including as Deputy Collector in districts like Unnao, Balrampur, and Etah. He has also served as Assistant Municipal Commissioner in Lucknow. Before resigning, he was working as the City Magistrate, Bareilly.

Reason for Resignation
Agnihotri resigned in opposition to the UGC’s new Equality Act and administrative actions involving Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand during the Prayagraj Magh Mela. He expressed his concerns in a post on his Facebook account, highlighting disagreement with the new regulations.

In his resignation letter, he wrote:
“I, Alankar Agnihotri, a 2019 batch gazetted officer of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Service, am presently serving as City Magistrate, Bareilly. I had the privilege of earning a B.Tech degree from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University (IIT BHU), for which I remain grateful to Bharat Ratna Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya. Inspired by his vision and the establishment of BHU, I am expressing my sentiments in the context of my conscience and the traditions of Kashi.”

UGC’s New Law
The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced the “Equality Rules 2026” to prevent caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. Effective from January 15, 2026, the regulations apply to universities and colleges nationwide.

Key points of the new rules:

• Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) are now included under the definition of caste-based discrimination.
• An Equality Committee will be established in each university, including representatives from OBC, SC, ST, women, and differently-abled groups.
• The committee will submit a report every six months to the UGC for review.

The resignation of Alankar Agnihotri has sparked nationwide debate on the implementation of the new UGC regulations and administrative accountability.