The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions today challenging the University Grants Commission’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026.
The petitions question the constitutional validity of the new framework, which governs mechanisms to address discrimination in higher education institutions.
According to the cause list, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, will take up the matter later in the day.
On Wednesday, the Chief Justice agreed to urgently list the matter after the petitioners’ counsel mentioned the issue and assured a hearing once they rectified the procedural defects.
The Chief Justice acknowledged the concerns and directed the petitioners to cure the defects in their filings, after which the court formally listed the matter.
Petitioners Flag Equality Concerns
The petitions contend that the UGC’s Equity Regulations institutionalise discrimination by limiting grievance redressal mechanisms to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
According to the plea, individuals belonging to the general category remain excluded from accessing Equal Opportunity Centres, equity helplines and ombudsperson proceedings under the current framework.
The challengers argue that the regulations narrowly define caste-based discrimination and legally recognise victimhood only for select categories, irrespective of the nature or seriousness of discrimination faced by others.
The plea seeks interim directions to ensure that authorities operate all grievance redressal mechanisms in a caste-neutral and non-discriminatory manner until they reconsider or amend the regulations.
It further claims that denying access based on caste identity violates Articles 14, 15(1) and 21 of the Constitution, raising broader questions on equality and fair access within higher education.
Also Read: Supreme Court To Urgently Hear Plea Against UGC Equity Regulations
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