UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05th April 2025

Structural Barriers from School to College

• Students from marginalised communities face poor infrastructure, untrained teachers, and inconsistent electricity in rural schools, limiting early educational opportunities.
• The urban-rural education gap remains stark, with elite cities seen as distant and unaffordable for rural youth.
• Transitioning from village schools to urban colleges involves not only financial strain but also a cultural shock, leading to alienation and dropout risks.

False Meritocracy and Systemic Exclusion

• The concept of ‘merit’ in India’s education system is biased, ignoring unequal access to resources like coaching, quality schools, and networks.
• Exams like JEE and NEET disproportionately favour urban, English-medium, and economically privileged students.
• Marginalised students who clear competitive exams are often labelled as “quota candidates” and face continued social stigma and academic doubt.
• Representation gaps remain severe:
  • Only ~10% of PhD students in top IITs are SCs, and ~2% are STs.
  • Over 90% of professors in these institutions belong to upper-caste backgrounds.
  • Some institutes have zero SC/ST faculty, perpetuating the cycle of exclusion.

Campus Discrimination and Mental Toll

• Students face microaggressions, caste-based segregation, and exclusion in hostels and dining halls.
• Many experience mental stress and isolation, leading to high dropout rates or disengagement from academic life.
• The job market replicates caste privilege through networks that block access to top opportunities for these communities.