UGC Guidelines Spark Constitutional Debate: Supreme Court to Decide Fate of New Regulations

• The UGC's Equity Regulations 2026, notified on January 15, are facing nationwide protests and legal challenges, with critics calling them unconstitutional.
• Unlike laws passed by Parliament, UGC regulations are made by a statutory body, requiring only ministry consent, not parliamentary debate or presidential approval.
• Critics argue the regulations overstep UGC's authority by defining new rights and punitive procedures, encroaching on legislative power reserved for Parliament.
• The regulations are accused of violating Article 14 (equality) by defining discrimination in a caste-specific manner and misinterpreting Article 15 (affirmative action).
• A PIL in the Supreme Court seeks a stay on the regulations, arguing the UGC exceeded its statutory limits and that such sensitive issues require parliamentary legislation.

Why It Matters: UGC's new Equity Regulations face Supreme Court scrutiny over constitutionality and legislative overreach.