Top court stays UGC rules, flags risk of social division

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the operation of the University Grants Commission's (UGC) 2026 equity regulations, observing that the new framework was capable of dividing society and could have "dangerous impacts" if exploited by mischievous elements.

- Utkarsh Anand

The court directed that UGC's 2012 anti-discrimination regulations will continue to operate for the time being so that complainants are not left remediless.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi also issued notice to the Union government and UGC, seeking their responses to three petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026.

The matters were listed for further hearing on March 19.

The bench said that "unity of India must be reflected in the institutions of India", and cautioned that the regulations were capable of being misused and could lead to regressive outcomes. "These regulations will have serious consequences. They are capable of dividing society and will lead to dangerous impacts," the bench observed. It described the regulations as "vague and omnibus", observing that several provisions were capable of misuse and required expert reconsideration.

"We wanted to create a free, fair, equitable and inclusive atmosphere in universities. But when we look at these provisions, there are four or five serious issues," said the court, adding that many pertinent aspects, including ragging, were overlooked. Upper-caste groups and students, who had opposed the guidelines, claimed victory.

"Keeping the interests of students in mind, and considering the protests that took place across the country, the Supreme Court delivered this verdict. This is a victory for the students... I thank the Supreme Court," news agency ANI quoted Shakti Dubey, a Lucknow University student, as saying.