4. Supreme Court Stay on UGC Equity Regulations, 2026

Background The Supreme Court of India stayed the UGC Equity Regulations, 2026, citing ambiguity and potential for misuse. Key Issues • Earlier 2012 UGC regulations on campus equity will continue temporarily. • Dispute over the definition of caste-based discrimination and lack of procedural safeguards. • Court framed key questions on the scope of equality jurisprudence. Context & Value Addition • Regulations were introduced after incidents, including student suicides, allegedly linked to caste discrimination. • Highlights tension between formal equality (equal treatment) and substantive equality (addressing historical disadvantage). Constitutional Provisions• Article 14: Equality before law. • Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination and scope for affirmative action. Conclusion The case underscores the need for clear, precise, and balanced regulatory drafting to protect vulnerable groups while preventing arbitrariness. UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II – Constitution, social justice, education governance