Why in news
The Union government informed the Supreme Court about the draft UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations of 2025, which aim to eliminate discrimination based on caste, religion, and other factors in higher education institutions (HEIs).
If institutions do not comply with the regulations, their recognition can be cancelled, and they could be barred from participating in UGC schemes or offering degrees, open learning, and online programs.
New Rules
The regulations aim to promote equity and inclusion for marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically weaker sections.
The UGC will also have the authority to remove non-compliant institutions from its list of recognized universities, and further punitive actions can be taken on a case-by-case basis.
Equity Committees will be set up in HEIs with members from civil society, students, and faculty, ensuring representation from SC, ST, and women’s categories.
The draft regulations were introduced in response to the discrimination faced by students like Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who died by suicide due to caste-based harassment.
The SC emphasized the importance of strengthening the UGC's power to act against discriminatory practices and create a fairer environment in HEIs.
COMMENTS