Ugc

SC stays implementation of new UGC norms; 2012 regulations to continue

The Supreme Court observed that there is complete vagueness in Regulation 3 (C) (which defines caste-based discrimination), and it can be misused

Supreme Court agrees to list for hearing plea against UGC regulation

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea challenging a recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation on the ground that it has adopted a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excludes certain categories from institutional protection. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of a lawyer seeking urgent hearing of the plea. "There is a possibility of discrimination against the general class. My case is 'Rahul Dewan and Ors vs Union'," a lawyer said. "We know what is happening. Make sure defects are cured. We will list it," the CJI said. The new regulations mandating all higher education institutions to form "equity committees" to look into discrimination complaints and promote equity were notified on January 13. The University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, mandated that these committees must include

Explained: Why UGC's new equity regulations led to widespread protests

Many protestors argue that the rules, which are aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination, could deepen divisions and disrupt social harmony

Plea in SC challenges definition of caste discrimination in 2026 UGC rules

A plea was filed in the Supreme Court challenging a recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation, alleging that it has adopted a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excludes certain categories from institutional protection. The plea submitted that regulation 3(c) of the recently notified UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 is "non-inclusionary" and fails to protect students and faculty who do not belong to reserved categories. The plea, filed by Vineet Jindal, assailed the regulation on the grounds that caste-based discrimination is defined strictly as discrimination against members of the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). It said by limiting the scope of "caste-based discrimination" only to SC, ST, and OBC categories, the UGC has effectively denied institutional protection and grievance redressal to individuals belonging to the "general" or non-reserv

Students call for protest outside UGC office in Delhi over new guidelines

Students from upper caste communities called for a protest outside the University Grants Commission headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday, saying that the new regulations issued by the commission could lead to chaos on campuses. Those behind the protest call have appealed for unity from the student community, urging them to say "No to UGC discrimination" and requesting them to gather in large numbers to register their opposition. The new rules notified by the UGC on January 13 -- the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 -- have sparked widespread criticism from general category students who argue that the framework could lead to discrimination against them. Under the new regulations, introduced to stop caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, the UGC has asked institutions to set up special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to handle complaints, especially from SC, ST and OBC students. Speaking to PTI, Alokit Tripathi, a PhD ...

UGC sets up committee to probe death of Dharamshala college student

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Saturday ordered a probe into the death of a student at a government college in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala following allegations of ragging, according to officials. The UGC has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident. "UGC has taken serious cognisance of the tragic death of a student at Govt. Degree College, Dharamshala. The UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline registered a suo-motu complaint based on media reports alleging ragging leading to suicide, while the college authorities have stated that the case is a death and not a suicide," a senior UGC official said. "A police inquiry is underway and UGC has constituted a Fact-Finding Committee to examine the incident. UGC assures that culprits will not be spared and that stringent action will follow. Student safety is paramount," the official added. According to police, three students of the college have been booked for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt while a professor has b

NCERT may get deemed university status by January-end after UGC nod

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says NCERT's transition will boost research and global collaboration as India shifts focus from degrees to skills-based education

UGC NET Admit Card 2025 released at ugcnet.nta.nic.in; know exam date

The NTA has released the UGC NET Admit Card 2025 for candidates to appear for the exams on December 31, 2025. At https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in, candidates can download the NTA UGC NET admit card 2026

New higher education regulator won't have funding powers: Pradhan

Lack of clarity on funding of higher education institutes was raised by several experts

Bill to form higher education regulator to be introduced in winter session

A bill to set up a higher education regulator, which will replace bodies such as the UGC, is listed for introduction in the winter session of Parliament, set to commence on December 1. According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, the proposed legislation has been christened the Higher Education Commission of India Bill. The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), which was proposed in the new National Education Policy, looks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). While the UGC oversees non-technical higher education, the AICTE oversees technical education, and the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education. The HECI is proposed to be set up as a single higher education regulator, but medical and law colleges will not be brought under its ambit. It is proposed to have three major roles -- regulation, accreditation and setting professional standards. Funding,

Delhi Police summons Al Falah chairman in white collar terror module probe

The Delhi Police has issued two summons to Al Falah University chairman in connection with the ongoing probe into the Faridabad terror module case and the two cases registered against the university for forgery and cheating, an official said on Monday. The summons were sent after investigators found that the university's chairman Javed Ahmad Siddiqui's statement was crucial for clarifying several inconsistencies linked to the functioning of the university and the activities of individuals associated with the institution. The Crime Branch has already registered two FIRs against the Haryana-based university for cheating and forgery, following serious red flags raised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on Saturday. Officials said both regulatory bodies flagged "major irregularities" after reviewing the university's accreditation claims and submitted their findings to law enforcement agencies. "The FIRs pertain to alle

UGC NET Dec 2025 notification out: Registration, important dates & more

The NTA has announced the UGC NET 2025 December notification and application form on the official website at www.nta.ac.in. The deadline to apply is Nov 7, 2025. Scroll down for more details

UGC flags 54 private universities as defaulters: Check full list here

The UGC has declared 54 private universities as defaulters for not sharing mandatory information on their websites; Amity and Azim Premji universities are on the list

Delhi HC flags rise in student suicides, refuses to intervene in UGC row

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal observed that student suicides are becoming alarmingly frequent and called for immediate action

UGC bars distance, online courses in psychology, nutrition, healthcare

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all higher education institutions to stop offering programmes in healthcare and allied disciplines, including psychology and nutrition through Open and Distance Learning or online mode from the 2025 academic session, according to officials. The ban applies to courses under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. These include psychology, microbiology, food and nutrition science, biotechnology, clinical nutrition and dietetics. "No higher educational institutions (HEIs) shall be permitted to offer any allied and healthcare programmes covered in NC??? Act, 2021, including psychology as specialisation under Open and Distance Learning and online mode, from the academic session July-August, 2025 and onwards. Any recognition already granted to HEIs for offering such programmes for the academic session July-August 2025 and onwards shall be withdrawn by the UGC," UGC secretary Manish Joshi said. "In

UGC forms fact finding committee in Odisha student's self immolation case

Panel led by Raj Kumar Mittal will assess safety, grievance redressal and harassment policies at Balasore college after student's sexual harassment complaint went unheard

Using WhatsApp groups to harass juniors will be treated as ragging: UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed higher education institutions to monitor any informal WhatsApp groups created to harass juniors, saying it will be treated as ragging and attract strict action under anti-ragging rules, according to officials. The UGC receives dozens of complaints every year from freshers alleging harassment by seniors. "In several cases, seniors form informal WhatsApp groups, contact juniors and subject them to mental harassment. This too amounts to ragging and will invite disciplinary measures," the UGC said in its latest directive. "Student safety on campus is paramount and non-negotiable. Failure to enforce anti-ragging norms may lead to stringent action, including withholding of grants," it warned. The advisory also flagged incidents where juniors were threatened with social boycott if they did not follow seniors' instructions. Forcing students to cut their hair, stay awake for long hours or verbally humiliating them were cited as other commo

CBI busts massive medical edu scam; godman, ex-UGC chief among 34 named

CBI names 34 people in a major medical college scam involving bribes, fake reports, and leaked inspections; accused include health ministry officials, NMC doctors, a godman and ex-UGC chief

UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship 2025: Registration opens for Northeast students

The UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship 2025 aims to support the North-eastern students financially in higher education. Students can apply up to Oct 31 on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

UGC NET 2025: Exam city intimation slip out for June 25 exam, know more

NTA has released exam city intimation slips for the UGC NET for the July 25 exams. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website using their application numbers and birth date