Caste Hierarchy in Indian Academia: Unpacking the Barriers for SC and ST Faculty
- BerryBeat Team
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
India often claims the status of a knowledge superpower. Yet, beneath this proud assertion lies a troubling reality: the deep exclusion of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) faculty from premier academic institutions. The stark data from top Indian universities reveals a persistent upper caste academic monopoly India has built and maintained for decades. This blog post explores how caste discrimination in Indian universities systematically blocks Dalit faculty from entering and thriving in academia, the role of the NFS (Not Found Suitable) label, and the urgent need for reforms like the Rohith Vemula Act 2025.
The Reality of Faculty Composition in Elite Institutions
Data obtained through Right to Information (RTI) requests paints a grim picture. At IIM Ahmedabad, one of India’s top management institutes, 99 out of 100 faculty members belong to the general or unreserved category. Not a single SC or ST faculty member holds a position. Similarly, IIT Delhi has only 20 SC and 8 ST faculty members out of 642 teaching positions. IIM Indore reports zero SC or ST faculty among its 106 unreserved category members.
This pattern extends beyond these elite institutions. The Ministry of Education confirmed in June 2025 that central universities across India show the same trend: reserved faculty positions for SC and ST candidates remain unfilled, while unreserved positions are often overfilled. For example, the University of Hyderabad appointed 284 candidates against 225 sanctioned unreserved positions, creating 59 extra seats for the general category even as reserved seats stayed vacant.
These numbers reveal a deliberate design rather than mere oversight. The upper caste academic monopoly India has built is not accidental but a result of systemic barriers.
The NFS Label and Its Impact on SC and ST Faculty Recruitment
One of the most insidious mechanisms behind this exclusion is the use of the NFS (Not Found Suitable) designation. This label is routinely applied to SC and ST candidates during faculty recruitment, allowing institutions to reject qualified applicants without providing accountability or transparency.
The Parliamentary Committee on SC and ST Welfare condemned this practice in August 2025, highlighting how it undermines the spirit of reservation policies. The NFS label effectively blocks Dalit faculty from entering academia, reinforcing brahminical academia India’s dominance.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) revealed in a Supreme Court affidavit that caste discrimination complaints in universities rose by 118% between 2019 and 2024. This surge reflects the hostile environment Dalit faculty and students face in Indian universities.
The Human Cost: Student Suicides and the Rohith Vemula Tragedy
The exclusion of SC and ST faculty is not just a numbers problem; it has real human consequences. Student suicides in residential institutions rose by 65% over the past decade, with SC, ST, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students disproportionately affected.
The case of Rohith Vemula remains a painful reminder. Rohith was a PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad, an Ambedkarite and a writer who aspired to be like Carl Sagan. Despite his talent, he faced caste discrimination, had his stipend withheld, lost hostel access, and was suspended. His death by suicide in January 2016 sparked nationwide protests.
In 2025, Karnataka proposed the Rohith Vemula Act to address caste discrimination in educational institutions. However, the national demand for this legislation remains unfulfilled, leaving many Dalit students vulnerable.
The Epistemological Barrier in Indian Academia
Dalit students entering Indian universities face more than economic challenges. They confront an epistemological framework shaped by and for upper castes. The absence of SC and ST faculty is not a symptom but proof of this exclusion.
This brahminical academia India controls knowledge production, curriculum design, and academic culture. Without representation from marginalized communities, the academic environment perpetuates caste biases and alienates Dalit students and scholars.
Steps Toward Change and Inclusion
Addressing caste discrimination in Indian universities requires systemic reforms:
Filling Reserved Positions: Institutions must actively recruit and retain SC and ST faculty, ensuring reserved posts are not left vacant under the NFS pretext.
Transparency in Recruitment: Clear criteria and accountability mechanisms should replace the opaque use of NFS labels.
Implementing the Rohith Vemula Act 2025: This legislation can provide legal safeguards against caste discrimination and support for marginalized students and faculty.
Curriculum Reform: Incorporate Dalit and tribal perspectives to challenge the dominant epistemology.
Support Systems: Establish counseling and peer support to reduce student suicides and improve campus climate.
Moving Beyond the Upper Caste Academic Monopoly
The data and stories make it clear: caste discrimination in Indian universities is a structural problem. The upper caste academic monopoly India maintains excludes SC and ST scholars from knowledge production and leadership roles. This exclusion harms not only individuals but the entire academic ecosystem.
Breaking this monopoly requires collective will—from policymakers, academic institutions, students, and society. The Rohith Vemula Act 2025 and similar reforms offer hope but need urgent implementation.
For Dalit and Bahujan students, activists, and allies, the fight continues to create an inclusive academic space where knowledge reflects the diversity of India’s people. Only then can Indian academia truly claim its place as a knowledge superpower.
