New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly notified regulations on caste based discrimination in higher education. The petition contends that the regulations adopt a narrow definition of caste based discrimination, excluding certain groups from institutional protection.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard submissions from a lawyer seeking urgent consideration of the plea in the case titled Rahul Dewan and Ors vs Union. “There is a possibility of discrimination against the general class,” the lawyer argued. Chief Justice Surya Kant responded, “We know what is happening. Make sure defects are cured. We will list it.”
The regulations, notified on January 13, mandate that all higher education institutions form “equity committees” to handle discrimination complaints and promote equity. The committees must include representatives from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), persons with disabilities, and women. The 2026 regulations replace the largely advisory 2012 UGC rules.
The petition challenges the exclusion of the “general” or non-reserved category from the scope of caste-based discrimination, arguing that individuals from these groups may also face harassment or bias based on caste and are now denied formal grievance redressal mechanisms. The regulations have sparked protests at various locations, with student groups demanding an immediate rollback.