Supreme Court Stays UGC New Rule 2026: Old Regulations to Continue

• The Supreme Court has stayed the UGC New Rule 2026, citing vagueness and potential for misuse.
• Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made strong observations, emphasizing the need for a casteless society and proper protection systems.
• Petitioners, including Mrityunjay Tiwari, Advocate Vineet Jindal, and Rahul Diwan, challenged the rules for promoting discrimination and violating the Constitution.
• Concerns were raised about limiting caste-based discrimination definition to only SC, ST, OBC, leaving other sections unprotected.
• The Central Government and UGC have been issued notices and must respond by March 19; the old 2012 UGC Regulations will remain in force until further orders.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court halts UGC New Rule 2026, reinstating 2012 regulations due to concerns over misuse and clarity.