The Supreme Court has suspended the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new rules due to considerable opposition, particularly from general category students. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s Panel ordered a re-examination of the regulations, citing “complete vagueness” that makes them vulnerable to abuse.
CJI Kant bemoaned throughout the hearing that despite 75 years of freedom, caste-based discrimination still exists in society. “Are we becoming a regressive society in a nationwhere after 75 years, all we have a complete is to become a classless society? The worst part of ragging is when kids from the South or northeast carry their culture with them, and someone who doesn’t know them begins to make fun of them. Then you mention several hostels, for God’s sake. There are also intercast marriages, and we have been in hostels where everyone stays together.” Said the Chief Justice.
What were the new regulations under the UGC bill?
A comprehensive set of anti-discrimination guidelines for Indian colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions is proposed in the recently announced Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026.
This law will mandate that all colleges establish helplines, equity committees, and equity squads. Additionally, these organisations would have to handle discrimination complaints, particularly those pertaining to students from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes (SC, ST, OBC).
The Supreme Court issued an order following the place seeking the proper implementation of the 2012 recommendations. It initially led to the creation of the rules. The mothers of two students who committed suicide as a result of caste-based discrimination on campus also filed this petition. The two students were Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi.
Why is the outrage?
The upper cast and general category students were outraged by the new rules. Two petitions were also filed with the Supreme Court after the announcement. It requested that new regulations be recalled or modified. In a way that addresses prejudice, regardless of caste, sex, or religion.
According to one of the petition files with the supreme court: The UGC has effectively denied institutional protection. It also denied grievance redressal to members of the general or non-reserved categories. They may also experience harassment or bias because their identity restricts the definition of “caste-based discrimination”. Discrimination against only the SC, ST, and OBC categories.
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