Politics · India · 5 hrs ago
Centre considers committee to review UGC equity regulations
The Centre told the Supreme Court it is considering a committee to review rules meant to promote equity in India’s higher education institutions.
The UGC’s 2026 regulations replaced a 2012 framework, but the Court stayed the new rules in January and said they appeared unclear and could be misused.
The rules focused on caste-based discrimination against students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Some petitioners from general categories argued that the rules could exclude non-reserved students from protection and leave them vulnerable to unfair treatment.
The case also includes a request for stronger safeguards after Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi died by suicide following alleged caste discrimination on campuses.
The Court adjourned the petitions for four weeks, while stressing that the welfare of every student should guide the review.
The Centre told the Supreme Court on November 5 that it was considering appointing a committee to re-examine the UGC’s 2026 equity regulations.
The regulations were stayed by the Court in January, which said they appeared vague and capable of misuse.
The Court is hearing petitions that seek safeguards against caste discrimination in higher education.
Some petitioners from general categories say the regulations are exclusionary, while others defend targeted protection.
The Court adjourned the petitions for four weeks and said the interests of every student should be protected.
- Who
- The Centre told the Supreme Court it was considering a committee to review the regulations.
- What
- The proposed committee would re-examine the UGC’s 2026 equity regulations.
- When
- November 5, 2026.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- The Centre said it wanted to address concerns and ensure no section of the student community felt excluded, threatened or apprehensive.
Petitioners from general categories
Supporters of targeted protection
Scope of protections
Petitioners from general categories
The regulations focus on caste-based discrimination against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, which petitioners from general categories say is exclusionary.
Supporters of targeted protection
Supporters defend the need for targeted protection against caste discrimination.
Possible effects
Petitioners from general categories
Petitioners from general categories say the framework could promote discrimination against non-reserved students.
Supporters of targeted protection
Supporters argue that targeted safeguards are needed to address caste discrimination in higher education.
The UGC notified the regulations, superseding the 2012 framework.
The Supreme Court stayed the 2026 regulations and directed that the 2012 regulations continue to operate in the interim.
The Centre informed the Court that the regulations were under reconsideration.
The Centre told the Court it was considering a committee, and the Court adjourned the petitions for four weeks.
- Regulations
- UGC Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026
- Earlier framework
- 2012 regulations
- Supreme Court bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- Committee proposal
- The Centre said it was contemplating appointing a committee to re-examine the regulations
- Adjournment
- Four weeks
4 sources
BJP opts for caution as Centre set to tweak UGC equity rules
Mulling panel to review UGC equity norms: Government
Centre tells Supreme Court about setting up of special committee to re-examine UGC’s 2026 equity regulations
What people are saying
The government is contemplating appointing a committee,
concerns of every student, the next generation and the young generation are addressed