Overview

• The Supreme Court has authorized the University Grants Commission (UGC) to finalize and notify its 2025 anti-discrimination regulations for higher education institutions.
• These regulations will address caste-based discrimination, ragging, sexual harassment, and other biases, while aligning with the National Education Policy 2020.
• The new rules will operate concurrently with recommendations from a National Task Force investigating student suicides and systemic discrimination, expected within four months.
• Petitioners, including the mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, who died by suicide due to caste discrimination, can suggest modifications to the regulations post-notification.
• The UGC will have enhanced enforcement powers, including the authority to de-recognize non-compliant institutions, to ensure accountability and equity across campuses.