Strapline: Meanwhile, share of applications getting accepted by IITs remains largely same across different social categories
According to a data presented by the central government in the Parliament, the number of Phd applicants from marginalised communities at IITs across the country has increased considerably over the last 5 years. Meanwhile, share of applications getting accepted by IITs remains largely same across different social categories.
Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, annual applications from PhD aspirants from Scheduled Castes (SC) background rose from 12,476 to 17,814. Similarly, the number of applicants from Scheduled Tribes witnessed a growth; it increased from 2,132 to 3,461 applications, over the same period of time.
The number of applicants from OBC communities increased as well, from 27,734 to 40,418. In the time period, applications from general categories increased considerably as well, from 68,663 to 74,343.
The Ministry of Education shared the numbers in the Rajya Sabha as response to a question from CPI(M) member V Sivadasan.
Over the last five years, 17, 044 PhD applications were accepted at IITs across the country, of which the share of SC, ST, OBC and general category students stood at 9.3%, 2.2%, 23.3% and 61.6% respectively.
However, the skew against students from disadvantaged groups continued unabated at these premium institutes. For instance, out of 207 applicants from SC background, none was accepted at IIT Bhilai in the year 2021. Among others, IIT Jodhpur and Bhubaneswar accepted one out of 107 and 149 ST applicants, respectively in the same year.
Photo credits: Financial Express