Alarming dropout rates among SC, ST, OBC students in India's premier institutes since 2018

Marginalised student dropouts: The winter session of the Lok Sabha brought to light concerning statistics related to dropout rates among SC, ST, and OBC students in elite higher education institutions, including central universities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

Minister Subhas Sarkar responded to numerous queries, revealing harrowing figures that indicate the challenges faced by marginalised students.

Startling Statistics

The government, along with BSP MP Ritesh Pandey, disclosed that over the past five years, a staggering 13,626 SC, ST, and OBC students discontinued their education. The breakdown includes 4,596 OBC candidates, 2,424 SC, and 2,622 ST students who chose to drop out from Central Universities during this period. Similarly, in renowned institutes such as IITs, 2,066 OBC candidates, 1,068 SC, and 408 ST students discontinued their educational pursuits. In esteemed IIMs, 163 OBC, 188 SC, and 91 ST candidates dropped out.

Reasons Behind Dropouts

Minister Sarkar explained that student migration to other courses is a common occurrence, stating, "In the Higher Education sector, students have multiple options, and they choose to migrate across institutions and from one course/programme to another in the same institution. The migration/withdrawal, if any, is mainly on account of securing a seat in other departments/institutions of their choice or for personal reasons." Additionally, the ministry lacks data related to National Law Universities as these institutes come under state legislature.

Addressing concerns about dropouts, the minister stated, "In order to proactively address any issues of SC/ST students, institutes have set up mechanisms such as SC/ST students’ cells, Equal Opportunity Cell, Student Grievance Cell, Student Grievance Committee, Students Social Club, Liaison officers, Liaison Committee, etc. Further, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued instructions from time to time for promoting equity and fraternity amongst students."

The government has also initiated measures, including fee reductions, establishing additional educational institutes, scholarship programs, and access to national-level scholarships.

Sarkar highlighted specific initiatives like the 'waiver of tuition fees in IITs' and the provision of national scholarships under the Central Sector Scheme, aimed at supporting the welfare of SC/ST students.

Earlier Update in July

In a previous update in July, Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 25,593 reserved category students from SC, ST, OBC, and other minority groups had dropped out of central universities and IITs over the last five years.

The majority of dropouts were from postgraduate and PhD programs, with reasons ranging from placement offers in public sector enterprises to personal preferences for better opportunities elsewhere.

The government highlighted corrective measures initiated by universities and IITs, including academic progress monitoring, additional classes, peer-assisted learning, counselling, psychological motivation, and extracurricular activities to minimise dropouts.