The Supreme Court has received a public interest litigation (PIL) questioning the constitutional validity of the University Grants Commission’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. Filed by activist Vineet Jindal, the plea claims that the rules adopt a narrow and exclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination by limiting institutional protection only to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
According to the petition, Regulation 3(c) effectively bars students and faculty from general or non-reserved categories from accessing grievance redressal mechanisms such as Equal Opportunity Centres, Equity Helplines and Ombudspersons. The plea argues that discrimination based on caste can affect individuals across caste groups and that protection must be caste-neutral.
The petition contends that the regulations violate Articles 14, 15(1) and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality, prohibit discrimination, and protect the right to live with dignity. It seeks interim relief to restrain enforcement of the disputed provision and urges the court to direct the UGC to extend grievance mechanisms to all individuals irrespective of caste.
The UGC’s 2026 regulations, notified on January 13, replaced earlier 2012 guidelines and introduced mandatory equity committees, expanded definitions of discrimination, and strict penalties for non-compliance. The legal challenge adds to the growing national debate over the scope, interpretation and implementation of the new equity framework in higher education.
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