July 27, 2023
In a concerning trend, a staggering number of reserved category students from Schedule Castes (SC), Schedule Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and other minority groups have dropped out of prestigious central universities and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) over the last five years. According to data shared by Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, a total of 25,593 students left their academic programs between 2019 and 2023.
The figures, provided in response to a question by Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar, indicate that between 2019 and 2023, 17,545 reserved category students from central universities and 8,139 from IITs decided to withdraw from their studies. The majority of dropouts were observed in postgraduate and PhD programs, with reasons cited being offers for placement in public sector enterprises and personal preference for better opportunities elsewhere.
For undergraduate programs, the top reasons for students withdrawing included making incorrect choices during admission, poor academic performance, and personal or medical reasons. These figures highlight the challenges that reserved category students face in pursuing higher education in prestigious institutions.
Experts have pointed to various reasons behind the dropout rates among reserved category students in IITs. Over the years, the numbers have fluctuated, but the issue remains a persistent concern. Factors such as family issues, difficulty in adjusting to the high-pressure environment, and lack of peer support were cited as contributing to the high dropout rate, especially at the undergraduate level.
One significant reason that emerged from the data is the allure of government jobs, leading to students leaving their master’s programs at IITs to pursue employment opportunities. The delayed announcement of recruitment results by public sector undertakings is reportedly causing reserved category students to switch to these jobs, which are perceived as secure career options.
Central universities have also witnessed a substantial number of reserved category students dropping out. Economic challenges, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds, were identified as a major factor. Many students find themselves burdened with the responsibility of supporting their families, making the opportunity cost of education remarkably high.
Female students, in particular, face additional pressures such as the expectation of getting married and fulfilling familial responsibilities, leading to higher dropout rates among women. Experts emphasize the need to support these students both academically and socially to address this concerning trend.
The response from the government indicates that corrective measures are being taken by universities and IITs to minimize dropouts. These measures include appointing advisors to monitor students’ academic progress, providing additional classes for academically weaker students, offering peer-assisted learning, counseling to reduce stress, providing psychological motivation, and encouraging participation in extracurricular activities.
Moreover, experts also believe that academic institutions must focus on creating a more inclusive and stable learning environment. Strengthening the representation bodies for SC, ST, OBC, and disabled students, and introducing a curriculum that includes a deeper understanding of the caste system and its historical implications, are among the suggested measures to retain students from reserved categories.
The alarming dropout rates among reserved category students in IITs and central universities call for urgent and comprehensive efforts to address the challenges faced by these students. By providing better support systems and addressing socio-economic barriers, educational institutions can foster a more inclusive and empowering environment for all students, irrespective of their backgrounds.
