India, Jan. 29 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the operation of the University Grants Commission's (UGC) 2026 equity regulations pertaining to the definition of caste discrimination, and issued notices to the Union government and the UGC on pleas challenging the new framework.

While hearing the petitions, the court observed that it wanted a "free, equitable and inclusive atmosphere" in educational institutions, but added that the new regulations were capable of dividing society. The bench directed that the earlier 2012 regulations would continue to operate for the time being.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....