Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1482, answered on 09/02/2026, posed to the Minister of Education by Shri Selvaganapathi T.M., inquired about new UGC rules against caste discrimination, including details, the rules' scope regarding Other Backward Classes, and specified punishments for non-compliance. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, responded that the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, notified on 13.01.2026, have been kept in abeyance by the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order dated 29.01.2026, making the matter sub judice.
Key Entities Referenced
University Grants Commission (UGC): The central regulatory body overseeing higher education in India, responsible for notifying new rules against caste discrimination.
UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026: Regulations by the UGC intended to promote equity in higher education institutions. These regulations have been kept in abeyance by the Supreme Court.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education in India, the subject of the parliamentary question.
Supreme Court: The apex court of India, which has placed the UGC regulations in abeyance.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1482
ANSWERED ON 09/02/2026
UGC New Rules against Caste Discrimination
1482. Shri Selvaganapathi T.M.:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified new rules
against caste discrimination;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is also a fact that the said new rules kept the Other Backward Classes outside
the ambit of caste-based discrimination and lack specificity in the way it defined discrimination
in the earlier draft of the rules;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether it is also a fact that the new rules specified punishments, which can range from
being debarred from offering degress or programme for non-compliance; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (f): The UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026,
notified on 13.01.2026, have been kept in abeyance by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order
dated 29.01.2026.
Hence, the matter is sub judice.
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