2026 UGC equity regulations stayed by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India stayed the implementation of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Equity Regulations 2026 on January 28, 2026. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi cited vagueness in key provisions, such as Regulation 3(c), and potential for misuse, questioning if they undermine progress toward a casteless society.

The bench flagged arbitrary definitions presuming discrimination only against specific groups (OBC, SC, ST), excluding general categories, and noted overlaps with existing rules like Section 3(e). It excluded ragging from coverage and ordered the 2012 UGC regulations to remain in force interimly. Notices were issued to the Centre and UGC, with the next hearing on March 19, 2026.

Notified on January 13, 2026, the regulations mandated equity committees in higher education institutions to address caste-based discrimination, superseding 2012 rules amid stakeholder inputs from 2025 Supreme Court directions. Petitions by advocate Shankar Jain and others challenged them as unconstitutional under Article 14. Protests erupted nationwide, drawing political support before the court’s intervention.