New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2026, aimed at promoting equity and preventing caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions, are currently under reconsideration.
The submission was made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, which was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the validity of the regulations.
The Supreme Court directed the UGC to file a comprehensive counter affidavit within four weeks. The petitioners may file their rejoinder, if any, within two weeks thereafter.
The apex court had on January 29 directed that the 2026 regulations be kept in abeyance, while allowing the earlier UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, to remain in force till further orders.
The court had observed that certain provisions of the 2026 framework appeared “prima facie vague” and could have “very sweeping consequences”. It had also expressed concern that the provisions could potentially be misused and have a “dangerous impact”.
The court questioned the need for a separate definition of “caste-based discrimination” when the regulations already contained a broader definition of “discrimination”. It also raised questions over the exclusion of ragging from the framework despite its prevalence as a form of harassment in educational institutions.
The 2026 regulations had triggered protests by student groups and other organisations, with several demanding their immediate rollback. The matter will now proceed after the Centre and UGC submit their detailed responses.
