Is casteism affecting education in India? Let’s explore the deep-rooted issues of casteism and corruption within the Indian education system. Uncover how these problems affect society’s most vulnerable and what steps can be taken to address them. If education is the ladder to social mobility, is casteism systematically removing rungs for certain communities?
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Caste-Based Discrimination in Education
- Sonia Gandhi’s Allegations on the New Education Policy
- Increased Privatisation and School Closures
- Data on Declining Enrollment
- The Impact of UGC’s New Regulations
- Concerns Over Reduced Definition of Discrimination
- Historical Context: Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi Cases
- Brahmins and Shudras: Historical Context
- The Ongoing Struggle for Education
- UGC Regulation 2025: Six States Open Front Against Center
- States Losing Authority in Vice-Chancellor Appointments
- Controversy Over Basic Degree Requirements
- The Plight of Dalits and Adivasis in Private Colleges
- Data on Representation in Top Private Universities
- The Education Divide: A Looming Crisis
- The Reality of Higher Education: Dropouts and Discrimination
- The Role of Caste-Based Prejudice in Dropouts
- The Employment Crisis: Unemployable Graduates and Lack of Skills
- The Impact of Religious Dogma on Skills and Creativity
- Rising Dropout Rates: A Threat to India’s Future
- The Need for Skill-Based Education
- Analysing the Flaws in the System
- A Society Engaged in Religious Mania
- What can you do?
- Disclaimer:
Understanding Caste-Based Discrimination in Education
The issue of casteism in education is not new. It has been a recurring topic, with continuous data updates revealing how the academic system operates with bias.
The goal seems to be disadvantaging weaker sections of society, preventing them from accessing education, which is a powerful tool against social evils like casteism. Furthermore, this discrimination undermines the potential of countless individuals and perpetuates social inequality.
Sonia Gandhi’s Allegations on the New Education Policy
This serious allegation suggests that the policy is leading to the destruction of many lives. She criticized the 2020 New Education Policy, accusing the BJP government of centralizing power, commercializing education, and promoting communalism. While she did not explicitly mention caste discrimination, it is a significant factor to consider in the context of education and casteism.
Increased Privatisation and School Closures
According to Sonia Gandhi, the new education policy encourages uncontrolled privatisation. Since 2014, over 90,000 government schools have closed, while the number of private schools continues to rise. The closure of government schools: Is it a natural pruning of inefficiencies, or a deliberate uprooting of opportunities for the underprivileged, like weeding out a garden to benefit a few select flowers?
In higher education, the emphasis has shifted from block grants to the Higher Education Financing Agency, forcing universities to take on debt. A large portion of these debts is repaid through increased fees for students, placing a heavy burden on common families.
Data on Declining Enrollment
The Ken reported a decline in student enrollment in private schools, while government schools have not seen an increase. Overall, student numbers have decreased in the last 10 years, especially after the pandemic. The dropout rate is also rising. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus, school enrollment in India saw its largest drop in five years, with a decrease of 10 million students in 2023-24 alone.
Consequently, this decline poses a significant threat to India’s future workforce and economic growth.
The Impact of UGC’s New Regulations
Critics have criticised new regulations from the University Grants Commission (UGC), announced on March 10, 2024, for potentially increasing caste discrimination.
Instead of reducing bias, these new rules are seen as promoting it. The UGC recently released a draft of new regulations for 2025 to replace the 2012 rules, calling them the “Equality Promotion Regulations 2025” for higher education institutions. However, these rules have quickly become controversial.
Concerns Over Reduced Definition of Discrimination
Experts suggest that the new regulations weaken the definitions of discrimination, making it harder to penalize those who practice casteism. In 2012, the UGC implemented strict laws to prevent discrimination in educational institutions. The 2025 regulations are set to replace these older laws, raising concerns about the protection of marginalized students.
Historical Context: Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi Cases
The deaths of Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi brought the issue to prominence; these deaths were linked to caste discrimination in higher education. Following these incidents, Rohit Vemula’s mother and Payal Tadvi’s father went to the Supreme Court, arguing for stricter enforcement of the 2012 UGC rules to prevent casteism.
The Supreme Court reprimanded the UGC for not implementing these rules effectively. In response, the UGC introduced the 2025 regulations, aiming to prevent caste discrimination in institutions. However, critics argue that the new regulations dilute the definitions of caste discrimination compared to the 2012 laws.
Brahmins and Shudras: Historical Context
To understand how casteism works, it is important to consider education. According to Dr. Ambedkar, Brahmins created the Shudra class (the fourth Varna in Hindu society) by denying them education and property rights.
In ancient times, Shudras were part of the Kshatriya class, but Brahmins later lowered their status by restricting their access to education and property. Rules such as Upanayana and Yagyopavitra were created to prevent certain groups from accessing the Vedas and accumulating wealth. The historical context underscores the deep-seated nature of caste-based discrimination in education.
The Ongoing Struggle for Education
Today, the fight for education continues. Even though the constitution is in place, preventing discrimination is still difficult. New methods are being used to ensure that Shudras cannot educate their children, keeping them away from knowledge and preventing them from demanding their rights. Without education, they remain trapped in traditional beliefs and unable to understand the schemes designed to oppress them. Therefore, addressing these systemic barriers is crucial for achieving true equality.
UGC Regulation 2025: Six States Open Front Against Center
Six states have opposed the central government over the UGC regulations of 2025. The new rules not only simplify caste discrimination but also have other concerning aspects that threaten to strengthen the dominance of certain groups.
States Losing Authority in Vice-Chancellor Appointments
The UGC’s new proposal suggests that the authority of state governments in forming search committees for selecting vice-chancellors will be eliminated. This means the central government would control the appointment of vice-chancellors and faculty in state universities, allowing them to place individuals with specific ideologies. The states opposing this change include Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Controversy Over Basic Degree Requirements
Another significant issue is the proposed removal of the requirement for a basic degree in the main subject for assistant professors. Opposing states argue that this needs serious reconsideration. This means that individuals may be appointed as heads of departments or professors without holding a relevant degree. Critics point out that many uneducated BJP leaders have been appointed as governors, who then oversee the education system. The new rules could lead to unqualified individuals holding key positions in universities.
The Plight of Dalits and Adivasis in Private Colleges
A recent report highlighted the underrepresentation of Dalits (members of the lowest caste in India, also known as “untouchables.”) and Adivasis (Indigenous people of India) in top private colleges.
These communities, once visible in private colleges, have gradually disappeared over the past decade. The report sparked discussions among educated circles, revealing a worrying trend of exclusion.
Data on Representation in Top Private Universities
In contrast, institutions like BITS Planning have almost no students from SC, ST, or OBC categories. In Manipal Academy of Higher Education, only 0.46% of students are from Scheduled Caste, 0.36% from Scheduled Tribe, and 18% from OBC backgrounds. Similar underrepresentation is seen in other major institutions like Sastra, Amrita, and Vellore Institute of Technology.
The Education Divide: A Looming Crisis
While the Supreme Court discusses distributing reservation benefits among different Dalit groups, reports reveal that Dalit and Adivasi children are disappearing from major colleges. This raises questions about the future of India’s marginalised communities. The progressive disappearance of Dalits and Adivasis from major colleges highlights the increasing dominance of privileged groups in the education system.
The Reality of Higher Education: Dropouts and Discrimination
A report from December 2023 revealed that many Dalit and Scheduled Tribe students have dropped out of higher education in recent years. These students were enrolled in prestigious institutions like central universities, IITs, and IIMs. From 2018 to 2023, over 13,500 students from SC, ST, and OBC categories dropped out, likely due to financial difficulties, discrimination, and lack of support. While the UGC has guidelines for establishing support centers for these students, many institutions have failed to implement them.
The Role of Caste-Based Prejudice in Dropouts
Professors and peers often perpetuate caste-based discrimination, making it difficult for students from marginalized communities to succeed. Many students are unable to afford the high cost of education or face bias and harassment, leading to high dropout rates. Even when support systems are in place, they may be ineffective due to the presence of biased individuals.
The Employment Crisis: Unemployable Graduates and Lack of Skills
A report from February 2025 indicated that only 42.6% of Indian graduates are employable, highlighting a lack of technical skills and creativity. This suggests that the caste-based education system is producing unemployable graduates.
The religious system is hindering creativity and non-technical skills, as questioning and innovation are often discouraged. A creative society requires encouraging children to question, innovate, and explore new possibilities.
The Impact of Religious Dogma on Skills and Creativity
The Indian education system often lacks opportunities for students to explore various options, resulting in a lack of scientific temperament and creativity. With limited options and rigid career paths, students struggle to develop the skills needed for modern industries.
Rising Dropout Rates: A Threat to India’s Future
A report from January 4, 2025, highlighted the rising dropout rates in Indian schools, questioning India’s ability to become an AI superpower. Despite the demographic dividend of a large youth population, increasing numbers of students are dropping out of school. Without educated citizens, India’s aspirations of becoming a superpower are at risk. Uneducated youth are left with limited options, often relying on low-skilled jobs and government subsidies.
The Need for Skill-Based Education
There is a need to shift towards a skill-based society, but the caste system continues to confine individuals to specific occupations. While some argue that there is no harm in these jobs, the reality is that many people are forced into them due to systemic barriers. Unequal access to education further exacerbates this issue, pushing weaker sections further away from opportunities.
Analysing the Flaws in the System
While pre-primary registrations have increased, school-level enrollment has decreased significantly. This indicates a high dropout rate as students progress through the education system. This trend threatens India’s future as a skilled and industrialized nation.
A Society Engaged in Religious Mania
The focus on religious mania diverts attention from the critical issue of education. As society becomes more engrossed in temple-building, religious processions, and ritualistic bathing, it becomes increasingly difficult to address the root causes of educational decline. Addressing this requires a shift in priorities towards education and skill development.
What can you do?
To combat casteism in education, it is crucial to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and support marginalized students. By focusing on facts and evidence-based solutions, we can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education system.
- Support educational initiatives: Contribute to organizations that provide educational resources and opportunities for students from marginalized communities.
- Promote awareness: Raise awareness about the issue of casteism in education and its impact on individuals and society.
- Challenge caste-based discrimination: Speak out against caste-based discrimination in schools and communities, and create a culture of inclusivity and respect.
- Advocate for policy changes: Support policies that promote equal access to education for all, regardless of caste or socioeconomic background.
Disclaimer:
- Brahminism: A social system that promotes castism.
- Savarna: Upper caste in Hindu society.
- Bahujan: Social group that represents majority of population from backward classes.
- Shudra: Fourth Varna in Hindu Society.
- Dalit: Members of the lowest caste in India, also known as “untouchables.”
- Adivasi: Indigenous people of India.
- AI: Artificial Intelligence.
- Right-wingers: A political view that is against equality.
- Creame Layer: A class of backward society who are economically and socially forward.
Author: Shubham Singh (Castefreeindia.com)
