Supreme Court to Hear Challenges to New UGC Regulations on Monday
A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud will hear petitions on Monday challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new regulations that permit biannual student admissions and allow foreign universities to set up campuses in India.
Key Points
- Hearing Date: Monday, before a CJI-led bench.
- Petitioners: SFI, NSUI, and other organisations.
- Core Challenge: UGC regulations allowing biannual admissions and foreign university campuses.
- Petitioners’ Argument: Regulations promote commercialisation and harm education quality.
- Court Status: Centre and UGC’s response sought on July 8.
What the Petitions Challenge
The petitions target two specific UGC regulations notified in December 2023:
- The UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2024: These allow universities to admit students twice a year—in January and July—for ODL and online courses.
- The UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2024: These permit foreign higher educational institutions to establish and operate campuses in India.
Who is Challenging the Rules?
The pleas have been filed by student bodies including the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). They argue the new rules will lead to the of education and negatively impact the quality of higher education in the country.
Legal Grounds and Next Steps
The petitioners have asked the Supreme Court to quash the regulations, calling them “arbitrary and violative of the Constitution.” The court had previously, on July 8, sought responses from the Central Government and the UGC regarding these challenges. Monday’s hearing will be a crucial step in this legal battle over the future framework of higher education in India.
