Big setback for Modi govt: Supreme Court stays controversial UGC Equity Regulations 2026 amid student protests

The top court observed that the regulations, introduced to curb caste-based discrimination on university campuses, appeared prima facie “vague” and “capable of misuse”.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stayed the operation of the regulations while hearing three writ petitions filed by Mritunjay Tiwari, Advocate Vineet Jindal and Rahul Dewan. The petitioners argued that the rules could be discriminatory towards students belonging to the general category.

The court issued notices to the Centre and the UGC, returnable on March 19, and ordered that the 2012 UGC Regulations will continue to remain in force until further orders.

Students protesting against the regulations welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision but warned of intensified agitation if the Centre fails to revoke the framework.

“Do general category students not face discrimination? Do Brahmins not face discrimination on JNU campuses? This is how the BJP government functions,” a protester told reporters.

The order came a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that the regulations would not be misused and that no individual would be treated unfairly.

“I want to humbly assure everyone that no one will be harassed and there will be no discrimination. No one will have the right to misuse the rules. The central and state governments, along with the UGC, will bear this responsibility,” Pradhan said.

He further stressed that the new framework would operate strictly within constitutional limits. “The new system will remain within the ambit of the Constitution,” the minister added.

In a rare display of large-scale dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, protesters gathered outside the UGC headquarters in New Delhi, demanding clarity on the provisions and amendments to the regulations. Demonstrations were also reported from several cities in Rajasthan, including Jaipur.

Social media visuals showed protesters burning effigies of the Prime Minister during some demonstrations.

The protesters allege that certain provisions of the regulations favour reserved categories and could increase the risk of false cases against students from the general category. They argue that the rules lack adequate safeguards.

A key point of contention is the absence of explicit representation for general category students in the proposed equity committees, which will be mandatory across all UGC-recognised higher education institutions.

The regulations are legally binding on central, state, private and deemed universities.