The recent recommendation by an eight-member committee appointed by the government regarding effective implementation of reservation in student admissions and faculty recruitment at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has been a topic of interest. The entire committee was presided over by IIT Delhi’s Director and consisted of secretaries of departments such as Social Justice and Empowerment, Tribal Affairs, Personnel and Training, Persons with Disabilities, among others. The report was tendered to the Ministry of Education in June 2020 and is accessible under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
About the Committee
This committee was tasked with proposing measures for effective implementation of reservations in student admissions and faculty recruitment in IITs. This eight-member body was chaired by the Director of IIT Delhi and included representatives from various government departments, such as Social Justice and Empowerment, Tribal Affairs, Personnel and Training, and Persons with Disabilities.
Key Recommendations
The report noted that the IITs, being nationally important institutions, should be added to the list of “Institutions of Excellence” in the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019 (CEI Act). Exemptions are granted to these institutions from providing reservation. Currently, while many research institutes like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, National Brain Research Centre, Space Physics Laboratory, etc. come under this exemption, the IITs are yet to be included.
If full exemption from reservations is not viable, the committee suggested limiting the application of reservation policies (including the Economically Weaker Sections or EWS) to Assistant Professor Grade I and Grade II, excluding levels above. It recommended that unfilled vacancies due to unavailability in a year should be de-reserved in the subsequent year.
Addressing Diversity Concerns
To increase diversity, the report proposed a “system emphasising targeted goals over a period of time” rather than “specific quotas”. This would enable IITs to compete with top global institutions in terms of excellence, output, research and teaching standards.
Proposed Research Assistantship
The committee suggested a two-year Research Assistantship for students from reserved categories who aspire to enrol in PhD programmes. This responds to the currently low enrolment rate of reserved category students in the PhD programme, which curtails the number of such candidates eligible for faculty positions in the IIT system.
Overview of Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019
The Act ensures reservation of posts in direct recruitment for individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, and the Economically Weaker Sections. These reservations are specifically for teachers’ cadre in certain Central Educational Institutions that are established, maintained or aided by the Central Government.
Exemptions are made for institutions of excellence, research institutions and institutions of national importance as specified in the Schedule to this Act. Minority educational institutions are also exempted. The Central Government may amend the Schedule as required by issuing a notification in the Official Gazette.
