The Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday, November 5, that it is considering a committee.
The panel would revisit rules made by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2026.
CNBC-TV18 reported this on the same day.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the government.
He spoke before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
Key points
- The Centre is considering a committee to review UGC's 2026 equity rules.
- The rules aim to stop caste discrimination in higher education institutions.
- Petitioners say general category students are left out of the grievance process.
- The Supreme Court deferred the hearing after the Centre raised the committee idea.
What are the UGC rules about?
The rules seek to prevent discrimination in colleges and universities across India. They were notified on January 13, 2026.
They mainly focus on students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Universities and colleges must set up Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees.
These bodies carry out anti-discrimination measures and examine complaints.
- 1Set up Equal Opportunity CentresUniversities and colleges must create these centres to carry out anti-discrimination measures.
- 2Set up Equity CommitteesEach institution must also have Equity Committees to support students from SC, ST and OBC groups.
- 3Examine complaintsThese bodies examine caste-related complaints from students on campus.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Why did the rules spark a row?
Petitioners have challenged the rules in the Supreme Court.
They argue that some provisions keep general category students from the grievance system.
The court is hearing a batch of petitions. They question the constitutional validity of the regulations.
What happens next for these rules?
Mehta told the court that the government wants every student to feel safe and fairly treated.
He said the government is contemplating appointing a committee.
After the Centre raised the committee idea, the hearing was deferred.
The report does not say when the committee will be formed. So why does this matter?
The rules decide how caste complaints are handled on campus. Any change could affect students across the country.
Exam Corner
UPSC GS Paper 2 · Polity: Equity rules in higher education
What's the news
The Centre told the Supreme Court on November 5 that it is considering a committee to review the UGC's 2026 rules against caste discrimination in colleges. The court deferred the hearing.
Background
- The UGC equity regulations were notified on January 13, 2026, to prevent discrimination in colleges and universities.
- They mainly focus on students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
- Petitioners argue that some provisions keep general category students out of the grievance system.
Facts for Prelims
- UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026
- Regulations notified on January 13, 2026
- Universities and colleges must set up Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees
Content for Mains
- Significance: safeguards against caste discrimination on campus
- Main issue: petitioners question the constitutional validity of the rules
- Balance: protection for SC, ST and OBC students and fair treatment for every student
- Way forward: a review committee and a complaint system that is fair to all
Practice question: Discuss the challenges in balancing protection against caste discrimination with equal access to grievance redressal for general category students in higher education.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. When were the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 notified?
- January 13, 2026
- November 5, 2026
- January 26, 2025
- August 15, 2025
Show answer
Answer: A. The rules were notified on January 13, 2026.
Q2. Under these rules, what must universities and colleges set up?
- Lok Adalats on campus
- Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees
- Only anti-ragging cells
- Grievance benches of the High Court
Show answer
Answer: B. Institutions must set up Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees.
Key terms
- Equity Committee: A body in a college or university that examines complaints and checks anti-discrimination measures.
- Scheduled Castes: Communities listed in the Constitution for special protection because of historic disadvantage.
- Solicitor General: The government's senior law officer who argues the Centre's cases in the Supreme Court.
More stories for exam preparation: UPSC Today
These points come from this news report. Check them with standard sources such as NCERT books and PIB before your exam.
