The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it is contemplating the formation of a special committee to review the University Grants Commission's (UGC) controversial 2026 equity regulations for higher education institutions. This development comes after the Supreme Court intervened and stayed the implementation of the rules earlier this year.
Government Aims to Address Student Concerns
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta conveyed the government's stance to a Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, on Thursday. Mehta stated that the government is actively working to address student concerns and ensure that no community feels excluded or threatened by the regulations.
"The government has taken a decision that every student should be taken care of. Nobody should have any apprehension. Nobody should feel dissatisfied. We are also considering the interests of the younger generation. The government is contemplating appointing a committee," Mehta told the court.
The bench underscored the importance of any revised framework safeguarding the interests of all students, noting, "Why don't you revisit these regulations so that the next generation is taken care of? They should protect the interest of every student."
Background of the Disputed Regulations
The UGC had notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, on January 13. These rules were designed to bolster safeguards against caste-based and other forms of discrimination within colleges and universities, mandating institutions to establish Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees to handle complaints.
However, the regulations quickly sparked widespread protests and legal challenges. Critics primarily targeted the definition of caste-based discrimination, which specifically covered Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Petitioners argued that this definition unfairly excluded general-category students from the specific caste-discrimination framework, potentially leading to unequal treatment.
Supreme Court Intervention and Stay
On January 29, the Supreme Court intervened, staying the implementation of the 2026 regulations. The court observed that certain provisions appeared vague and raised concerns about their potential for misuse. Consequently, the court directed that the older 2012 UGC equity regulations would remain in effect until further orders are issued.
The Centre's decision to consider a special committee signals a potential move towards a more inclusive and widely accepted regulatory framework for equity in higher education, aiming to reconcile the diverse concerns raised by students and legal experts.