Now Reading: Centre reconsiders UGC equity rules, Supreme Court adjourns hearing
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Centre reconsiders UGC equity rules, Supreme Court adjourns hearing
The Union government told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it is reconsidering the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which aimed to address caste-based discrimination on campuses. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant that the regulations are under review. The court adjourned the hearing by four weeks and directed the UGC to file a counter affidavit within that period.
The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the regulations in January, calling them "prima facie vague" and capable of misuse. The 2012 UGC equity rules will remain in force until further orders. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the mothers of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi, urged the court to fix a timeline for the government's decision. The bench declined to hear arguments and said it would consider the matter after the government completes its review.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both sources report the same core facts neutrally. Livemint frames the story from the petitioners' perspective, highlighting Jaising's arguments and the human tragedy behind the case. Times of India focuses on the court's earlier objections and the procedural timeline, giving more space to petitioners challenging the rules. Neither source takes a side on the regulations themselves. The measured takeaway: the court is letting the government reconsider, but the underlying dispute over caste-based versus caste-neutral definitions remains unresolved. Watch for the next hearing in four weeks.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): livelaw.in (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
