Supreme Court stays UGC’s new rules, flags risk of social division and questions equality under constitutionThe Supreme Court has stayed UGC’s new regulations, citing concerns over discrimination and equality. The Court questioned whether the rules promote social division, ordered continuation of 2012 norms, and sought the Centre’s response by March 19, 2026. Supreme Court of IndiaNew Delhi: On January 29, 2026, the Supreme Court of India began hearing a batch of petitions challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly notified regulations. The petitioners argued that the new rules are unconstitutional, discriminatory, and contrary to the spirit of equality guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution. Supreme Court Stays the UGC RulesAfter hearing the arguments, the Supreme Court stayed the implementation of the new UGC rules.