Centre tells SC 2026 UGC equity regulations 2026 under reconsideration

For context, the Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that the 2026 UGC regulations aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination on university campuses are being reconsidered.

Key points

• On January 29, the apex court had directed that the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, be kept in abeyance.
• The matter came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
• Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for one of the petitioners, had assailed Regulation 3(1)(c).
• The apex court had additionally sought responses of the Centre and the UGC on three pleas against the 2026 regulations.
• The 2026 regulations triggered protests at various places, with student groups and organisations demanding its immediate rollback.

Notably, the matter came up for hearing on Thursday before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

"This is the UGC regulation matter. It is under reconsideration, " Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench.

Notably, the bench asked the UGC to file a comprehensive counter affidavit within four weeks.

It remarked petitioners may file rejoinder, if any, within two weeks thereafter.

In practice, the apex court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the 2026 regulations.

On January 29, the top court had stayed the 2026 UGC equity regulations, saying the framework was "prima facie vague", can have "very sweeping consequences" and may end up dividing society with a "dangerous impact".

Meanwhile, the apex court had additionally sought responses of the Centre and the UGC on three pleas against the 2026 regulations.

UGC in caste discrimination pickle "In exercise of our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, we further direct that the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2012, will continue to operate and remain in force till further orders, " it had remarked.

For context, the 2026 regulations triggered protests at various places, with student groups and organisations demanding its immediate rollback.

When regulation 3(1)(e) already provides a broad definition of "discrimination", the top court had flagged reservations with the 2026 regulations and questioned the need for a separate definition of "caste-based discrimination" under regulation 3(1)(c).

It had additionally questioned why ragging had been left out of the scope of the regulations, despite being a common form of harassment within educational institutions.

In practice, the apex court had remarked the language of the regulations appeared to be "prima facie vague" and "capable of misuse".

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for one of the petitioners, had assailed Regulation 3(1)(c). It defines caste-based discrimination as discrimination "only on the basis of caste or tribe" against members of SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes.

Taken together, the developments around centre tells SC 2026 UGC equity regulations 2026 under reconsideration point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.