The government is also considering constituting a committee to review the regulations and address concerns that they could create dissatisfaction or a sense of discrimination among students belonging to any category.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government was examining the matter. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasised the need for a policy that ensures fairness and satisfaction among all students.
"A policy should be framed in such a way that all young people feel satisfied. No student belonging to any category should feel that they are being treated unfairly," the Chief Justice observed.
The development comes amid petitions challenging the UGC's new regulations, which were notified on January 13 to prevent caste-based discrimination and promote equality in higher education institutions.
The petitioners argued that the new rules specifically refer to discrimination against students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), but do not include caste-based discrimination against students from the general category. They also raised concerns over the absence of provisions for taking action against individuals who file false complaints.
The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the implementation of the new regulations on January 29. A bench headed by the Chief Justice observed that, at first glance, the rules appeared capable of creating divisions in society and carried the possibility of misuse.
Invoking its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the court directed that the 2012 UGC regulations would remain in force until further orders.
During the January 29 proceedings, the court had also observed that 75 years after Independence, the country was moving towards becoming a casteless society. It stressed the need to consider the direction society could take if caste-related disputes increased on college campuses.
The court had emphasised that policies governing higher education institutions should strengthen social unity rather than create divisions.
With the Centre now considering a fresh review and a possible committee to examine the concerns, the future of the disputed UGC regulations remains under consideration.
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