Supreme Court New Update: UGC Regulations 2026 Stayed, All Petitions to Be Heard Together on March 19

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the University Grants Commission on fresh petitions challenging the UGC Regulations 2026. The Court has ordered that all related petitions be clubbed and heard together. The regulations remain stayed until further orders.

Important Dates

What Candidates Should Know

The UGC Regulations 2026 mandated:

• Establishment of an Equal Opportunity Centre in all universities and colleges.
• Formation of campus-level committees to inquire into discrimination complaints.
• Measures aimed at promoting equity and inclusion on campuses.

However, the regulations have been put on hold following multiple petitions and protests, particularly from general category students.

The Court observed “complete vagueness” in certain provisions of the regulations, stating that unclear language could make them prone to misuse.

Eligibility

The petitions argue that Section 3(c) of the regulations defines caste-based discrimination only against SC, ST, and OBC communities, allegedly excluding members of the general category.

According to the petitioners:

• The definition may violate Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution.
• The provisions are discriminatory against the general category.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that while Article 15(4) permits special provisions for SCs and STs, progressive legislation must not lead to regression.

Official Instructions 

During the hearing:

• The bench directed that all fresh and earlier petitions be heard together.
• The Court suggested that a committee of experts may be constituted to reconsider the provisions of the regulations.
• The bench emphasised that the language of the regulations requires careful review.

It is observed that even after 75 years of independence, it is seen then their is still caste-based discrimination present in India, the Chief Justice of India confirmed. Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain argued that restricting the definition of caste-based discrimination to specific communities is constitutionally flawed.

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court will hear the combined petitions on March 19. Further directions regarding the validity and implementation of the UGC Regulations 2026 will be issued after the next hearing. The matter remains under judicial consideration.