The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2026, will not be implemented for now. The new rules have been put on hold until further notice.
These rules are called the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. They were made to improve fairness and equal opportunities in colleges and universities. However, some people have challenged them in court. They claim the rules are unfair and may discriminate against the general category.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed concerns about the regulations. The judges said the rules are not clear and may be misused. They felt the guidelines are vague and need better explanation.
The Court suggested that the regulations should be reviewed again by a committee of experienced legal experts. This will help make sure the rules are fair and properly designed.
The case was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. They were hearing three petitions that questioned whether the 2026 regulations are constitutional.
The Court has sent notices to the Union government and the UGC, asking them to reply. The next hearing will take place on March 19.
Until a final decision is made, the 2026 regulations will stay suspended. For now, the older UGC rules from 2012 will continue to be followed.