Delhi: The ‘Equity Regulations, 2026’ announced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) witnessed massive protests across the country. These rules were strongly objected to by the upper classes. The matter then reached the Supreme Court, where the court stayed the implementation of these rules. Now on Thursday during the hearing of this case, the central government has given a big statement saying that they are reconsidering these rules.
What did the central government say?
During the hearing on Thursday, the central government informed the Supreme Court that it is reconsidering the UGC’s ‘Equity Regulations, 2026’. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government and the UGC, submitted to a bench headed by CJI Suryakant that, “I am not saying what the final decision will be, but we are reconsidering these rules.”
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UGC to submit reply within 4 weeks: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has given 4 weeks time to the UGC during the hearing to file its reply on the petitions against these rules. The court directed that the UGC file a detailed counter affidavit covering the issues raised by all the petitioners. Along with this, a copy of the affidavit has also been ordered to be handed over to the petitioners, so that they can file their reply within the next 2 weeks.
What is the whole controversy?
The controversy started last January, when the UGC (Rules relating to Promotion of Equality in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 were promulgated. The rules were challenged in the Supreme Court, claiming that the definition of “caste-based discrimination” was too narrow and excluded general or non-reserved class students from the ambit of protection against discrimination or institutional bias. The petitions also raised concerns about possible misuse of these new provisions, on the basis of which the court had earlier stayed the implementation of these rules.