India's approach to educational and employment reservations, especially in prestigious institutions like the IITs, has been the subject of intense debate. In recent years, around 80% of seats in IITs have been allocated to various reserved categories, including SC/ST/OBC, EWS, and women. Supporters of this policy argue it promotes social equity, creating more opportunities for underprivileged groups historically marginalized in education.
They believe reservations are necessary to bridge socioeconomic disparities that persist in indian society. However, critics see this as a compromise on merit, fearing that excessive reservation quotas dilute the competitive standards expected from top-tier institutions, affecting not just individual aspirations but also India's reputation as a producer of global talent.
The concept of "meritocracy" is complex in India, where the historical context of caste-based and gender-based inequality has influenced access to education. For some, merit should be solely about academic scores and competitive performance, yet others believe that merit must account for one's social and economic background. Nevertheless, the perception that merit is devalued under extensive reservation has contributed to the migration of indian talent.
Many highly skilled indian professionals, feeling undervalued or unable to advance based purely on their skills, move abroad in search of more meritocratic environments. Countries like the U.S., Canada, and australia have thus become major beneficiaries of India’s highly skilled and educated workforce, particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare.
They believe reservations are necessary to bridge socioeconomic disparities that persist in indian society. However, critics see this as a compromise on merit, fearing that excessive reservation quotas dilute the competitive standards expected from top-tier institutions, affecting not just individual aspirations but also India's reputation as a producer of global talent.
The concept of "meritocracy" is complex in India, where the historical context of caste-based and gender-based inequality has influenced access to education. For some, merit should be solely about academic scores and competitive performance, yet others believe that merit must account for one's social and economic background. Nevertheless, the perception that merit is devalued under extensive reservation has contributed to the migration of indian talent.
Many highly skilled indian professionals, feeling undervalued or unable to advance based purely on their skills, move abroad in search of more meritocratic environments. Countries like the U.S., Canada, and australia have thus become major beneficiaries of India’s highly skilled and educated workforce, particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare.
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