Centre mulls panel to revisit UGC equity regulations amid Supreme Court case

New Delhi: The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it was contemplating constituting a committee to revisit the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, notified to prevent caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant that the government was examining the issue to ensure that the concerns of students from all sections were addressed and no one felt dissatisfied or apprehensive.

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The submission came after the bench suggested that the government reconsider the regulations and ensure that the framework protects the interests of every student. Responding to the court's observations, Mehta said the government was aware of the concerns surrounding the regulations and was considering steps to address them.

"The government is contemplating appointing a committee," the SG informed the bench. The court thereafter adjourned a batch of petitions challenging the regulations by four weeks, giving the Centre time to consider the issue.

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The proceedings concern challenges to the UGC regulations notified on January 13. The regulations were framed to strengthen institutional mechanisms for preventing discrimination and promoting equity in universities and colleges.

However, several petitions have questioned the constitutional validity of certain provisions, particularly regulation 3(1)(c), which defines caste-based discrimination as discrimination on the basis of caste or tribe against members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

The petitioners have argued that the definition is restrictive as it does not adequately address instances of caste-based discrimination against students belonging to other categories. They have also raised concerns over the composition and functioning of institutional equity committees and the grievance-redressal mechanisms prescribed under the regulations.

On January 29, the Supreme Court had stayed the operation of the 2026 regulations, expressing prima facie concerns over ambiguity in certain provisions and the possibility of their misuse. It had directed that UGC's 2012 regulations would continue to remain in force until further orders.