New Delhi. The Supreme Court has put a stay on the new rules of the University Grant Commission till further orders. The bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi raised questions on the rules while hearing the case. The court said that the rules are vague and can be misused. How much has been achieved towards a casteless society, are we moving in the reverse direction?
When will the next hearing take place?
Advocate Vishnu Jain presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners in the Supreme Court. He said that we are challenging Section 3C of the UGC regulation i.e. SC, ST and OBC, because it talks about caste discrimination. The Supreme Court said that the next hearing in this case will be on March 19, till then they have stayed it.
What did the CJI comment?
CJI Surya Kant said during the hearing that you are talking about separate hostels for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) students. Don’t do it like this. There are people in the reserved category also who have become prosperous. They have very good facilities compared to others.
Why is there controversy over the new rules of UGC?
CJI Surya Kant said during the hearing that you are talking about separate hostels for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) students. Don’t do it like this. There are people in the reserved category also who have become prosperous. They have very good facilities compared to others.
Why is there controversy over the new rules of UGC?
UGC issued new rules named ‘Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institution Regulations’ on 13 January 2026.
Under these rules, a committee will have to be formed in colleges and universities to stop discrimination on the basis of caste, gender, religion, place of birth etc.
This would have provided justice to SC, ST and OBC students. If students of these categories complain of discrimination, the college and university will have to investigate within 7 days and submit the report within 15 days.
This rule of UGC was opposed by the general category students.