SC Challenge: Caste Discrimination Definition in UGC 2026 Regulations Under Fire

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A petition filed in the Supreme Court is questioning a University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation introduced in 2026, claiming it fails to protect all individuals from caste-based discrimination. The UGC regulation limits its scope to members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, leaving those from the 'general' category vulnerable to harassment and bias. The petition argues that this exclusionary definition creates a hierarchy of protection, violating the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution. It has sought a direction from the top court to redefine caste-based discrimination in a way that protects all individuals, regardless of their caste identity. The petition also demands that mechanisms like Equal Opportunity Centres and Equity Helplines be made available to all students in a non-discriminatory manner, pending a formal reconsideration of the definition.