Supreme Court Stays New UGC Regulations, Flags Them As ‘Vague And Misusable’

The Supreme Court on Thursday, January 29, ordered that the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations of 2026 be kept in abeyance, terming them “vague” and “capable of misuse.” The apex court noted that some provisions in the new rules have been challenged as discriminatory against students from the “general classes.” During the hearing, the bench suggested the regulations should be reviewed by a committee of eminent jurists before being implemented.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Union government and the UGC, with responses scheduled for March 19. Until then, the 2012 UGC regulations will continue to remain in force.


CJI Surya Kant advised Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that a committee of 2-3 jurists, well-versed in social values and societal challenges, should reassess the regulations. “Today we do not want to pass any order…some committee should be there with eminent jurists…have 2-3 persons…who understand social values and the ailments society is facing. How entire society should grow…how people are going to behave outside campus if we create this…they must apply their mind,” he said, according to reports.

The petitions argue that the new UGC framework, which replaces the 2012 regulations, is unconstitutional. A major point of contention is the definition of “caste-based discrimination” under section 3(c), which restricts protection to Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Petitioners contend this exclusionary approach denies students from the general category access to grievance redressal mechanisms.

The petitioners also highlighted that the 2026 UGC regulations violate the constitutional guarantees of equality under Articles 14 and 15. Concerns over the clarity of definitions and the potential for arbitrary application were central to the Supreme Court’s decision to put the new rules on hold.

Until the review is complete, universities and higher education institutions will continue to operate under the UGC’s 2012 regulations. The decision underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring regulatory reforms in education are transparent, fair, and constitutionally compliant.

This story is developing, with updates expected as the committee of jurists begins its review.