New Delhi’s Supreme Court made headlines on Wednesday by agreeing to expedite hearings on a public interest litigation challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) controversial new regulations. Titled ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institution Regulation 2026’, these rules were rolled out on January 13, mandating institutions to establish equity committees and enforce anti-discrimination policies.
The PIL landed before a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant, who acknowledged familiarity with the case. ‘We are aware of the matter,’ the CJI stated, directing the petitioner to iron out any deficiencies in the plea. ‘Ensure the shortcomings in the PIL are addressed. We will hear this,’ he assured.
At the heart of the challenge is the allegation that these rules discriminate against general category students by barring them from utilizing grievance redressal mechanisms. The petitioner argues this setup effectively sidelines non-reserved category students, denying them institutional safeguards enjoyed by SC/ST and OBC peers.
The petition paints a stark picture: by tying grievance access to caste identity, the regulations foster division rather than unity. It claims this selective framework not only excuses misconduct but emboldens unchecked hostility toward non-reserved groups, transforming equity measures into tools of exclusion.
Seeking an immediate stay on implementation, the plea invokes constitutional guarantees of equality, decrying state-sanctioned discrimination. This isn’t the first such challenge; multiple petitions, including Rahul Diwan vs Union of India, have flooded the court, signaling widespread unease over the policy’s implications.
As higher education institutions scramble to comply, the Supreme Court’s intervention could redefine how equity is pursued in India’s academic landscape. Stakeholders await clarity on whether these rules promote true fairness or perpetuate new divides. The coming hearings promise to dissect the balance between affirmative action and universal rights.
