The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a petition challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recent notification aimed at addressing caste discrimination in educational institutions.
The petition was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi for urgent listing.
"We know what’s happening. Ensure defects are cured. We will list it," the Chief Justice said.
The UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which were notified on January 13, mandate all higher education institutions to establish 'equity committees' to address discrimination complaints and promote equity.
These committees are required to include members from the Other Backwards Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), persons with disabilities, and women.
The petitioner argues that the new regulations define caste-based discrimination too narrowly, restricting it to SC, ST, and OBC categories.
“By limiting 'caste-based discrimination' to only SC, ST, and OBC groups, the UGC effectively denies institutional protection and grievance redressal to individuals from the ‘general’ or non-reserved categories who may also experience harassment or bias due to their caste identity,” the petitioner contended.
The UGC notification has sparked widespread protests in Uttar Pradesh and triggered a political storm. Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri recently resigned from service in protest against the regulation.
Agnihotri, who was later suspended by the state government on charges of indiscipline, staged a sit-in at the district magistrate’s office on Tuesday. The judicial officer levelled serious allegations against the system, criticising the Centre over issues, including the alleged insult to the Brahmin community.
