SC stays 2026 UGC campus equity rules, calls it ‘too sweeping’, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court stayed the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 on Thursday.
• The court cited the regulations as "too sweeping" and potentially divisive for society.
• The stay was prompted by petitions challenging Regulation 3(c), which defines caste-based discrimination narrowly.
• The 2012 Regulations will remain in force while the matter is examined.

Detailed Insights:

• The 2026 Regulations allegedly focus solely on caste-based discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), excluding other categories.
• Petitioners argued that the regulations could lead to misuse and do not address discrimination faced by students from other categories.
• The court observed that the regulations require closer examination to ensure inclusivity and prevent segregation within educational institutions.
• The Union government and UGC have been issued notices regarding the petitions challenging the 2026 Regulations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Scheduled Castes (SC): Officially designated groups of historically disadvantaged people in India.
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): Officially recognized tribal communities in India needing special protection.
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): A collective term used by the government to classify castes which are socially and educationally disadvantaged.