UGC Equity Regulations Hearing: The Supreme Court on Thursday began hearing a public interest litigation challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly notified Equity Regulations, 2026, raising serious concerns over their clarity and potential societal impact. The court has paused the implementation of the new framework, allowing the 2012 UGC anti-discrimination regulations to remain in force until further orders. 2012 Regulations to Continue for NowAnnouncing interim relief, the Chief Justice stated that the 2012 UGC regulations would continue to operate until further directions are issued by the court. This effectively stays the enforcement of the 2026 Equity Regulations at a national level. SC Flags ‘Vague’ Provisions, Issues Notice to CentreThe Chief Justice observed that the new UGC regulations raise four to five fundamental questions with far-reaching implications.