UGC equity regulations 2026 under reconsideration: Centre to Supreme Court
On January 29, the Supreme Court had directed that the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, be kept in abeyance.
On August 20, 2026, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that the 2026 University Grants Commission (UGC) equity regulations, aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination on campuses, are under reconsideration. The matter was brought up for hearing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that the UGC will file a comprehensive counter affidavit within four weeks. The court had stayed the 2026 UGC equity regulations on January 29, citing concerns about their vague framework, potential sweeping consequences, and societal division. The court also sought responses from the Centre and UGC on three challenges against the regulations.
The 2026 regulations sparked protests across various locations, with student groups and organizations demanding their immediate rollback. The court had questioned the need for a separate definition of caste-based discrimination when regulation 3(1)(e) already provides a broad definition of discrimination, and why ragging was not included in the regulations' scope.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 4 other outlets
- Supreme Court forms panel to examine use of force by police in Delhi's July 20 protest hindustantimes.com
- Supreme Court to rule on Oppong Nkrumah’s injunction against vacation Court trials on Aug 21 starrfm.com.gh
- Police cannot investigate offences under PCPNDT Act: Supreme Court thehindu.com
- UGC caste discrimination guidelines under review: Centre to Supreme Court indianexpress.com
