Centre tells Supreme Court UGC equity regulations under review

The Centre's Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant that the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, remain under reconsideration. The disclosure came during hearings on a batch of petitions challenging the validity of the regulations.

On January 29, the Supreme Court had suspended the 2026 UGC equity regulations, observing that the framework appeared "prima facie vague." The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, directed that the regulations be kept in abeyance pending further consideration.

During Thursday's hearing, the Supreme Court instructed the UGC to file a comprehensive counter affidavit within four weeks, outlining its position on the regulations. The bench also permitted petitioners to submit their rejoinder submissions within two weeks following the UGC's filing.

The 2026 regulations were designed to prevent caste-based discrimination within higher education institutions across India. The Supreme Court's intervention and subsequent stay have put implementation of the framework on hold while the validity challenge proceeds through judicial review.