New Delhi, Jan 29 — The Supreme Court on Thursday issued an interim order staying the operation of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, directing that the earlier 2012 Regulations will continue to govern the sector until further orders. The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The Supreme Court highlighted their submission that the regulations operate on the presumption that caste-based discrimination is unidirectional and cannot affect non-reserved categories. The Supreme Court directed that the 2026 Regulations be kept in abeyance, and the 2012 Regulations will continue to operate in the interim. The matter is listed for further hearing on March 19, 2026.