Supreme Court Stay's UGC’s New ‘Equity’ Rules

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has formally stayed the implementation of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) controversial "Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026." The bench, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), observed that the rules were "vague" and required significant clarification to ensure society grows without creating fresh social divides.

The legal intervention follows a wave of petitions filed by Advocate Vineet Jindal, Mrityunjay Tiwari, and Rahul Dewan. The petitioners argued that while the framework aimed to address grievances of disadvantaged groups, it inadvertently created a discriminatory environment for general category students.

The primary point of contention is the definition of "Caste-based discrimination." The UGC guidelines restricted this term solely to acts against SC, ST, and OBC members. Critics and netizens have slammed this as "one-sided," sparking the viral trend #ShameonUGC on social media. Many argue that the rules frame non-reserved students as inherent "perpetrators" while offering them no protection against false claims.

Under the now-paused rules, every higher education institution was mandated to establish an Equal Opportunity Centre. However, the composition of these centres—comprising representatives from OBC, SC, ST, PwD, and Women categories—notably excluded any representation for the general category.

CJI requested Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to consider forming a committee of eminent persons to revisit the regulations. The court emphasized the need for a balanced framework that facilitates legal aid and academic support without turning campuses into "caste battlegrounds." Until the committee provides a clearer, more inclusive roadmap, the 2026 Regulations remain on hold.