New Delhi, November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Central government on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it is considering constituting a committee to review the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, framed to prevent caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that the proposed committee would examine the regulations and ensure that the concerns of students from all sections are adequately addressed.
During the hearing of petitions challenging the regulations, the Bench asked the Centre to reconsider the framework. “Why don’t you revisit the regulations?” the CJI-led Bench asked.
Mehta submitted that the government wanted to ensure that no student had any apprehension or felt dissatisfied, adding that it was also considering the interests of the younger generation. Taking note of the submission, the Supreme Court adjourned the petitions for further consideration.
In an interim order dated January 29, the apex court had stayed the operation of the 2026 regulations and directed that the earlier 2012 UGC regulations would remain in force until further orders. The court had expressed prima facie concerns over ambiguities in the new framework and observed that the possibility of its misuse could not be ruled out.
The petitions primarily challenge Clause 3(c), which defines caste-based discrimination. The petitioners contend that the definition limits protection and grievance redressal mechanisms to members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, leaving students from non-reserved categories without an effective remedy.
The Supreme Court had also raised concerns over provisions relating to segregation in educational institutions and the omission of ragging as a specific form of discrimination under the new framework.
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