India, Feb. 2 -- The Supreme Court's unilateral and hasty stay order on the 2016 University Grants Commission Regulation is a severe blow to attempts to control widespread discrimination against scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and backward class students in the higher education institutions in the country.

On January 13, 2026, the UGC notified the Equity Regulations 2026, replacing the 2012 framework governing caste discrimination and equal opportunity in higher education institutions. According to the notification, the regulations mandate that all universities and colleges establish Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs) and campus-level committees to investigate complaints of discrimination and promote equity and inclusion.

The UGC said th...