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The Supreme Court will hear a crucial petition challenging the UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. The plea seeks a stay on certain provisions, alleging discrimination against the general category and violation of fundamental rights.
UGC Equity Rules Under Scrutiny as Top Court Takes Up Key Petition
New Delhi: The ongoing controversy surrounding the University Grants Commission's (UGC) new regulations has now reached the Supreme Court. A petition challenging the UGC's Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, will be heard in the apex court today, Thursday. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi will hear the matter. The petition, filed by lawyer Vineet Jindal, alleges that these regulations are discriminatory against the general category and a violation of fundamental rights.
The petition urges the Supreme Court to stay the implementation of Regulation 3(c) of the UGC Regulations 2026. The petitioner argues that the provisions established under 2026 do not apply equally to all castes, leading to discrimination against the general category. Therefore, the petitioner has called for a stay on these regulations, calling them unconstitutional.
Why UGC’s new equity regulations triggered nationwide student protests? Explained
Deep resentment is being felt among upper castes and general category members over the new UGC regulations. This protest is no longer confined to a few states but is gradually spreading across the country. Student organizations and social groups are continuously protesting against these regulations. At least 20 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court so far on this issue.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured students on Wednesday that no injustice or discrimination would be allowed under the new regulations. He stated that the regulations would not be misused in the name of discrimination and that the rights of all classes would be protected. However, despite this assurance from the government, dissatisfaction among students and organizations appears to be waning.
The new regulations mandate representation of SC, ST, and OBC categories in the Equity Committees formed in universities, but no representation is provided for the general category. Furthermore, while the rules contain measures to prevent discrimination against SC/ST/OBCs, there are no clear provisions to prevent discrimination against the general category.
UGC 2026 Row: SC agrees to hear plea against equity rules over caste discrimination definition
Protesters argue that the lack of punishment for those filing false complaints increases the risk of misuse of the rules. They also fear that even a normal academic debate or discussion could be used as a form of discrimination.
The UGC issued these new rules on January 13, 2026, with the aim of promoting equality in higher educational institutions. These rules replace the old 2012 rules and will apply to all government and private universities and colleges. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court hearing, which will determine whether these rules will be stayed.
