UGC rules on caste bias and ragging: SC gives Centre more time to review norms

The Supreme Court has given the Centre more time to reconsider the controversial University Grants Commission regulations on caste-based discrimination and ragging in higher education institutions. The government has told the court that a committee is being constituted to examine the concerns surrounding the rules.

The Supreme Court has granted the Centre additional time to reconsider the controversial University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination and ragging in higher education institutions.

The development comes amid objections to the new rules, with students from the general category raising concerns that certain provisions could be discriminatory.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, stressed the need to ensure the well-being of all students, including younger generations. The court said concrete steps were necessary to address caste discrimination and ragging in universities.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that a committee was being constituted to examine the relevant issues. The Centre has sought more time to review the regulations and consider the concerns raised over their provisions.

UGC NORMS BACK UNDER THE SCANNER

The case concerns a challenge to the UGC's new regulations, which were introduced to address caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions.

While the stated objective of the rules was to make campuses safer and more inclusive, some students, particularly from the general category, objected to their provisions, arguing that they could lead to discrimination against them.

The concerns prompted legal challenges, bringing the regulations under judicial scrutiny.

During an earlier hearing, Mehta, appearing for the UGC, had told the Supreme Court that the Commission was reconsidering the new regulations.

WHY THE SUPREME COURT HAD STEPPED IN

Before the latest hearing, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre and the UGC on the challenge to the regulations. It had also ordered an interim stay on their implementation.

This meant the rules could not be enforced while the court examined the challenge.

The latest decision gives the Centre more time to examine the provisions and work towards a revised approach. The proposed committee is expected to look into the issues raised around the regulations.

The larger question remains how the government will balance the need to prevent caste-based discrimination and ragging on campuses with concerns over whether the proposed safeguards treat all students fairly.

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