SC Stays New UGC Rules Amid Protests: 'Language Of The Regulation Is Vague'

The

Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the rollout of the University Grants Commission’s newly notified Equity Regulations, keeping them in abeyance amid mounting protests and legal challenges. The top court ordered that the earlier regulatory framework will continue for now, as it examines concerns that the new rules exclude ‘general category’ students from the grievance redressal mechanism.

'Dangerous Impact'

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said court intervention was necessary to prevent social fallout. “If we don't intervene it will lead to dangerous impact, will divide the society and will have grave impact,” the Court said.“Prima Facie we say that the language of the regulation is vague and experts need to look into for the language be modulated so that it is not exploited,” the Court observed.Issuing notice to the UGC and the Centre, the bench formally stayed the regulations. “Issue notice returnable on March 19. SG accepts notice. Since issues raised in 2019 plea shall also have bearing while examining constitutionality.. let these petitions be tagged with the same. Meanwhile let UGC Regulations 2026 shall remain in abeyance,” the Court ordered.The Court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, notified on January 13 and applicable to all higher educational institutions.

Widespread Protests Over New UGC Rules

Outside court, the regulations have triggered protests, with critics calling them one-sided and alleging they could be misused against upper-caste students.Petitioners argued that the framework denies grievance redressal and institutional protection to students outside the SC, ST and OBC categories.They sought a stay on implementation and a declaration that exclusion from grievance mechanisms based on caste identity amounts to “impermissible State discrimination”.According to the plea, the selective structure “not only condones but effectively encourages unchecked hostility against non-reserved categories,” turning the regulations into a “tool for division rather than equity”.The matter will be heard next on March 19.