13,626 students from OBC, SC, ST categories dropped out of IITs, IIMs, central varsities in 5 years

In the past five years, 13,626 students from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) categories have discontinued their studies at central universities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This information was shared by Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar ina written response to a query in Lok Sabha.

Addressing concerns about the high dropout rates among these marginalized student groups, Sarkar stated that student mobility within higher education institutions contributes significantly to this trend. Students often migrate between institutions or switch courses within the same institution, citing reasons such as securing seats in preferred departments or personal grounds for their decisions to withdraw or move.

"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 seat by the students in other departments or institutions of their choice or on any personal ground,” he said.

Breaking down the numbers, Sarkar shared that 4,596 OBC candidates, 2,424 SC candidates, and 2,622 ST candidates discontinued their education in Central Universities over the last five years. Additionally, 2,066 OBC candidates, 1,068 SC candidates, and 408 ST candidates withdrew from IITs, while 163 OBC, 188 SC, and 91 ST candidates dropped out from IIMs during the same period.

The government, Sarkar assured, has implemented various measures to support students from financially challenged backgrounds. These initiatives include fee reductions, establishment of more educational institutes, scholarships, and prioritized access to national-level scholarships to facilitate their educational pursuits. Specific schemes like tuition fee waivers in IITs and the provision of national scholarships under the Central Sector Scheme are also available for SC/ST students.

To actively address concerns of SC/ST students, educational institutes have established dedicated mechanisms such as SC/ST students’ cells, Equal Opportunity Cells, Student Grievance Cells, Student Grievance Committees, Students Social Clubs, Liaison officers, and Liaison Committees. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued directives periodically to promote inclusivity and solidarity among students.