UGC New Guidelines Row Reaches Supreme Court Over Caste Discrimination Definition

• A petition challenges UGC's new 'Regulations for Promoting Equality in Higher Education Institutions, Rule 3(c)' in the Supreme Court.
• The petition argues the rule's definition of caste-based discrimination is non-inclusive, limiting protection to SC, ST, and OBC categories.
• It alleges the rules deny institutional protection to general category individuals facing caste discrimination, violating Articles 14, 15(1), and 21.
• The plea seeks to restrain implementation of Rule 3(c) and redefine caste discrimination in a 'caste-neutral and constitutionally compliant' manner.
• General category students plan a protest outside UGC headquarters in Delhi against the perceived discriminatory rules.

Why It Matters: UGC's new rules on caste discrimination face Supreme Court challenge and student protests for being non-inclusive.