Panel to revisit UGC’s 2026 equity rules, Centre tells SC

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it is setting up a special committee to review the UGC’s 2026 equity regulations for higher education institutions. The court has stressed that the interests of all students must be protected. Promoting equity in higher education institutions means ensuring that all students get fair treatment, equal opportunities and protection from discrimination in colleges and universities, regardless of their caste or social background.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the government was examining measures to address students’ concerns and ensure no section feels excluded or threatened.The court adjourned the batch of petitions for four weeks, stressing that the welfare and well-being of the younger generation must remain central to the deliberations.
The petitions were filed in 2019 by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who died by suicide after allegedly facing campus caste discrimination, seeking stronger safeguards in higher education institutions. The UGC notified the 2026 Regulations in January, replacing the 2012 framework. The Supreme Court later stayed them, citing concerns over vague provisions and possible misuse, and restored the 2012 rules in the interim.
The 2026 framework requires universities, colleges and deemed universities to establish equal opportunity centres and equity committees to address complaints of discrimination and strengthen institutional safeguards for students. However, the regulations have triggered opposing reactions. While organisations representing marginalised communities have supported the proposed safeguards, several upper-caste groups and students have objected to the framework, alleging that it is discriminatory in its approach and could be misused. Protests were also held outside the UGC headquarters in Delhi earlier this week, with students demanding that the regulations be withdrawn.