Caste continues to operate as a silent but decisive force in university campuses. Identify the manifestations of caste-based discrimination in higher education. Suggest institutional correctives.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Social empowerment
Topic: Social empowerment
Q2. Caste continues to operate as a silent but decisive force in university campuses. Identify the manifestations of caste-based discrimination in higher education. Suggest institutional correctives. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question: Recent incidents like the 2025 Bangalore University Dalit faculty protest have brought renewed focus on systemic caste bias in Indian universities, making it a socially and educationally significant issue. Key Demand of the question: The question requires examining the subtle but persistent forms of caste-based discrimination in higher education and proposing institutional-level reforms to address and prevent such exclusion. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Highlight the contradiction between constitutional inclusion and lived exclusion in universities. Body: Manifestations of caste discrimination: Hiring bias, academic marginalisation, stigmatisation of reservation students, exclusion from governance, and weak grievance redress. Institutional correctives: Transparent hiring oversight, mandated representation, strong anti-discrimination cells, empathy training, and mentoring for marginalised groups. Conclusion: Call for universities to evolve from formal access to meaningful belonging through institutional empathy and accountability.
Why the question:
Recent incidents like the 2025 Bangalore University Dalit faculty protest have brought renewed focus on systemic caste bias in Indian universities, making it a socially and educationally significant issue.
Key Demand of the question:
The question requires examining the subtle but persistent forms of caste-based discrimination in higher education and proposing institutional-level reforms to address and prevent such exclusion.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction: Highlight the contradiction between constitutional inclusion and lived exclusion in universities.
• Manifestations of caste discrimination: Hiring bias, academic marginalisation, stigmatisation of reservation students, exclusion from governance, and weak grievance redress.
• Institutional correctives: Transparent hiring oversight, mandated representation, strong anti-discrimination cells, empathy training, and mentoring for marginalised groups.
Conclusion: Call for universities to evolve from formal access to meaningful belonging through institutional empathy and accountability.