The Supreme Court issued notice on a fresh petition challenging the constitutional validity of the UGC Regulations of 2012, 2023 and 2026 dealing with anti-discrimination and grievance redressal mechanisms in higher educational institutions.
Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak appeared for the petitioners and sought a broader regulatory framework on the issue.
The petition challenges several provisions of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012 and 2026, as well as the UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023, contending that they suffer from “vagueness” and “arbitrariness” and lack procedural safeguards against misuse.
Among other issues, the plea questions the definition of “caste-based discrimination” under the 2026 Regulations, the composition of Equity Committees, and provisions empowering universities to frame their own disciplinary rules.
The petition also refers to the Supreme Court’s January 29, 2026 order in Mritunjay Tiwari v. Union of India, by which operation of the 2026 Regulations was stayed over concerns of ambiguity and possible misuse, while the 2012 Regulations were allowed to continue temporarily.
*Advocates on Record are KMNP Law