Stayed Earlier, UGC Equity Regulations 2026 Are Now Under ‘Reconsideration'
24 August 2026 | The Wire
New Delhi: The Union government informed the Supreme Court on Thursday (August 20) that it is taking a fresh look at the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 — the rules meant to tackle caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions — which were introduced earlier in the year and later withdrawn after outrage from the ‘general category’ (those belonging to Savarna caste groups and not the Other Backward Classes, the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes or to Dalit communities).
Appearing before the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court, “This is the UGC regulation matter. It is under reconsideration.
The judges have now directed the UGC to submit a detailed counter-affidavit within four weeks, with petitioners given a further two weeks after that to respond.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi, mothers of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi respectively, asked the bench to set a firm timeline by which the government must complete its review.
Notified on January 13, 2026, the key provisions of the UGC Regulations, 2026 included: a) institutions must set up an Equal Opportunity Centre (EOC), an Equity Committee, and Equity Squads to address discrimination; b) a 24-hour ‘Equity Helpline’ and Equity Ambassadors will be appointed; c) the UGC will monitor compliance, and non-compliant institutions risk losing funding and other benefits.