Mulling panel to review UGC equity norms: Government

NEW DELHI: The Centre told Supreme Court on Thursday that it is considering appointing a committee to review provisions of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, the operation of which was stayed by SC saying its provisions could fuel divisions in society.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that govt was contemplating setting up an expert panel to revisit provisions of the regulations to ensure that "nobody has any apprehension or anyone is left dissatisfied".The move appears to be aimed at assuaging the "hurt" among upper castes over having been excluded from among those who can complain against caste abuse ahead of polls in UP and Uttarakhand.Upper castes, a vocal constituency and an influential part of BJP's social base, argue that the "equity guidelines" framed at SC's instance, does not take into account the changed socio-economic conditions which have seen dominance shift to the newly-empowered OBCs, and would leave them vulnerable to harassment. CJI Surya Kant said the provisions must ensure that "concerns of every student, the next generation and the young generation are addressed" appropriately. The SC adjourned hearing on a batch of petitions, including one filed by the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi who committed suicide allegedly after failing to endure caste-based discrimination on college campuses.Mehta said govt shared SC's concerns and intends to revisit the provisions of the 2026 regulations. The same bench of CJI Kant and Justice Bagchi had on Jan 29 kept in abeyance the controversial regulations taking exception to several provisions.