Supreme Court Petition Challenges UGC’s Equity Regulations Over Alleged Exclusion of General Category Students

A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court of India challenging the University Grants Commission’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, alleging that the framework discriminates against students belonging to the general category by excluding them from institutional grievance redressal mechanisms.

The regulations, notified earlier this year, mandate universities and colleges to establish Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs) and Equity Committees to address complaints relating to caste-based and other forms of discrimination on campus. However, the petitioner contends that the scope of protection under the regulations is limited to certain notified categories, leaving general category students without an effective remedy in cases of alleged discrimination.

According to the plea, discrimination—if it occurs—cannot be addressed selectively based on a student’s caste or social classification. The petition argues that restricting access to grievance mechanisms amounts to an arbitrary classification and violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before law, as well as Article 15, which prohibits discrimination.

The petitioner has urged the Supreme Court to either stay the operation of the regulations or direct the UGC to amend them to ensure that all students, irrespective of category, have equal access to redressal forums in cases of discrimination or harassment.

While the UGC has maintained that the regulations are intended to strengthen safeguards against historical and systemic discrimination in higher education institutions, critics argue that the absence of neutral and inclusive safeguards may lead to imbalance and misuse.

The issue has triggered debate across academic circles, with student groups and stakeholders expressing concerns over the structure and implementation of the regulations. The outcome of the proceedings is expected to have significant implications for governance, equality norms, and grievance redressal frameworks in India’s higher education system.

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A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court of India challenging the University Grants Commission’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, on the ground that they allegedly exclude general category students from institutional grievance redressal mechanisms. The plea contends that while the regulations mandate the creation of Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Committees to address discrimination on campuses, their scope is limited to certain notified categories. According to the petitioner, discrimination cannot be addressed selectively based on caste or social classification, and denying equal access to grievance forums violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. The petitioner has sought a stay on the operation of the regulations or directions to amend them to ensure uniform protection for all students. The UGC maintains that the framework aims to strengthen safeguards against discrimination. The case has sparked debate within academic and student circles nationwide.