Supreme Court to hear plea against UGC regulation today

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Thursday hear a petition challenging the recently notified University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. The case has stirred widespread debate and protests in colleges across the country. 

What did the petitioners say?

Seeking an urgent hearing, advocate Parth Yadav, appearing for the petitioners, told a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that “the urgency is, there are certain provisions in the regulations that have the effect of promoting discrimination against people belonging to the general classes. My case is ‘Rahul Dewan and Ors vs Union’.”

Responding to this, CJI Kant, "We know what is happening. Make sure defects are cured. We will list it," and asked the counsel to cure defects, if any, in the petition.

What’s the petition about?

The petitioner says that the rules recognise discrimination only against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), leaving general category individuals without any protection.

The 2026 regulations, which was notified on January 13, replace the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, which were largely advisory in nature.

The plea claims that regulation 3(c) of the 2026 rules has a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination. It says this approach may violate fundamental rights to equality and equal protection under the Constitution. The petitioner has urged the court to direct the UGC to adopt a caste-neutral definition that protects any student or staff member facing caste bias. 

What is UGC rules 2026?

The UGC Rules 2026 have been implemented from January 15. These rules apply to all universities, colleges, and higher education institutions in India. They outline provisions for the formation of Equal Opportunity Commissions in every institution. The rules aim to prevent discrimination against students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Section 3(C) of these rules defines caste-based discrimination.

Why are people protesting?

Student groups and organisations from the upper caste communities argue that while the UGC has provided protection against discrimination for SC, ST, and OBC students, it has said nothing about students from the general category. Furthermore, there are objections to the fact that there is no provision for action against those who file false complaints. 

Some upper-caste organisations are also demanding why people from the general category cannot be given protection under this law. Their argument is that just as students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes can be victims of discrimination, so can upper-caste students.