'For God Sake don't do this': Supreme Court stays new UGC rules, issues notice to govt

New Delhi: Amidst widespread protests by upper caste groups across the country, the Supreme Court on Thursday took a major step by staying the UGC regulations. Upper castes in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, have strongly protested against the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, following which the matter reached the Supreme Court.

What does the Supreme Court ruling say?

The apex court stayed the new rules, stating that the 2012 rules will remain in effect for now. Chief Justice Suryakant also referred to the provision for separate hostels for students of different castes in the new rules.

"For God's sake, don't do this. The Section 3(c) of the new UGC rules (which defines caste-based discrimination) is not entirely clear and could be misused. Its language needs to be revised,” the Supreme Court said. The court has sought a response from the central government and the UGC.

While hearing the case, Chief Justice Suryakant made a significant remark. He said, "Whatever we have achieved in creating a caste-less society, are we now going backwards? There are also people in the Scheduled Castes who have become economically prosperous." He also questioned the proposed provision in the rules for separate hostels for different castes, saying, "For God's sake, don't do this, we all used to live together. Inter-caste marriages also took place." During this time, Justice Bagchi also said that unity should be reflected in educational institutions in India.

What did the Supreme Court tell the Centre and UGC?

The CJI described the rules as vague. He said, "At first glance, the language of the rules is completely ambiguous. It can be misused. An expert can advise on remodeling." While issuing notices to the Centre and the UGC, the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi suggested that these rules should be reconsidered by a committee of renowned legal experts. The bench said, "Issue notice, returnable on March 19. The Solicitor General accepts the notice. In the meantime, the UGC Regulations 2026 will not be applicable and the 2012 Regulations will continue."

What are new rules under UCG Act 2026?

Under the new rules aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, institutions would have to set up special committees and helplines to hear complaints, especially from students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories. The new rules, notified by the UGC on January 13, which update the 2012 rules on the same subject, have sparked widespread anger among general caste students, leading to protests in various places and even resignations by several BJP leaders.