More than 19,000 students from the SC, ST and OBC communities have dropped out from reputed universities across India. The report was presented by the Ministry of Education. Record reveals that 19,256 students dropped out from Central Universities, Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management between 2018 – 2023. Among them 14,446 students were from Central Universities, 4444 from IITs and 366 from IIMs. The slow under-representation is concerning as the National Education Policy (NEP) aims to achieve a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50% in higher education by 2035.
NEP also aims to provide education to all children from pre-school to secondary level. Students have the option to switch courses and institutes for various reasons. Irrespective of reducing fees at educational institutes, establishing more universities and colleges, providing scholarships and giving priority access to national-level scholarships to aid underprivileged students; the number of students enrolling for higher education from marginalized communities is significantly coming down. The government wavered tuition fees in IITs, granted national scholarships under Central Sector Scheme, and provided scholarships in institutes for SC and ST students. However, any loophole has to be sealed in order to decrease the dropout of such candidates.
