SC HALTS UGC EQUITY RULES, ORDERS REDRAFT

The apex court stayed the UGC Promotion of Equity Regulations, 2026, citing vagueness and the potential for misuse, and asked the Centre to redraft the rules.

- SAMBHAV SHARMA NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the operation of the UGC Promotion of Equity Regulations, 2026, which address caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.

A two-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the provisions are prima facie vague and capable of misuse, and directed the Union government to redraft the regulations.

Until then, the 2012 UGC Regulations will continue to operate while the Court examines the constitutionality of the new rules. The hearing was held on petitions challenging the validity of the recently notified UGC regulations.

The new rules seek to prevent caste-based discrimination on university and college campuses. However, the petitioners argued that the grievance redressal mechanism excludes students belonging to the General Category.