For years, there was a cloud of injustice over IIT Bombay’s placement procedure, one of India’s most prestigious institutions of engineering. The students had to reveal their caste category, a step that many perceived as a means of discrimination. But at last, in a victory for equality, IIT Bombay has brought this to a halt, a step that could be a turning point in institutions adopting a new approach to placements.
This isn’t a minor process adjustment. This is a realization that asking a student’s caste opens up a space in which bias can be introduced, potentially changing their chances of employment. Let’s take it apart—why it’s a problem, and what it means for the future.
The Complaint That Initiated Change
The story begins with Dheeraj Singh, a former IIT-Kanpur student and a member of the Global IIT Alumni Support Group. The group works to assist Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in the placement process. Singh noticed a troubling trend: IIT Bombay was demanding that students furnish their caste category and JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) category rank when applying for campus placements.
He believed that this was discriminatory, offering companies an opportunity to weed out students based on their caste, regardless of their IIT achievements. Imagine working hard for four years, only to be denied a job opportunity possibly due to something that happened even before you set foot on campus.
So, in November 2023, Singh filed a formal complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
IIT Bombay’s Response: Admission and Action
The NCSC took it seriously and asked IIT Bombay to submit a report stating the action it was pursuing. In response, IIT Bombay admitted that its Placement Office previously used to collect caste category information from students to provide it to Public Sector Units (PSUs) when they came to campus for recruitment.
However, the institute notified that it stopped collecting this data from 2024 onward. They clarified that when PSUs recruit students, their respective staff verify birth category documents for employment in reserved positions, and the IIT Bombay Placement Office is no longer required to collect such data.
Why Was This Happening in the First Place?
You might be wondering why IIT Bombay was collecting this information in the first place. The institute claims it was solely to provide it to PSUs, many of which have reservation policies. PSUs need to ensure they fulfill government mandates to recruit individuals from specific caste categories.
However, Dheeraj Singh and many of his colleagues feared that such information could be misused, knowingly or unknowingly, by other companies as well. The concern was that even private sector recruiters might be influenced by this data, leading to implicit or explicit discrimination.
The Problem of Prioritizing JEE Ranks Over Academic Performance
One of Singh’s key points was that companies appeared to give more importance to JEE category ranks from four years prior rather than a student’s academic performance during their IIT course. He questioned why companies would place such emphasis on an entrance exam score when a student’s achievements over the course of their rigorous undergraduate studies were far more relevant to their potential.
This practice suggests a lack of trust in IIT’s educational standards and raises concerns about whether students are being judged fairly based on their current abilities and knowledge.
A Step in the Right Direction, But Concerns Remain
IIT Bombay’s decision to stop collecting caste category details is undoubtedly a positive step. It indicates a willingness to acknowledge concerns about discrimination and create a more equitable environment for all students.
However, Dheeraj Singh and others remain concerned that some private sector recruiters may still be asking for JEE category ranks during interviews. This is worrisome because students fear they may still be unfairly judged based on their caste background, even if their academic records match those of other candidates.
Singh believes that the government must take action to ensure that IITs and private sector recruiters put an end to such discriminatory practices. He estimates that approximately 300 students faced discrimination during placements, which prompted his complaint and ultimately led IIT Bombay to take responsibility for its actions.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
IIT Bombay’s decision could set a precedent for other institutions to re-evaluate their placement practices. It highlights the importance of creating a level playing field for all students, regardless of their background.
The key takeaway here is that a student’s caste should never be a factor in their job prospects. Employers should focus on their skills, knowledge, and potential—not on something they were born into.
This is an ongoing conversation, and it is crucial to continue pushing for greater transparency and accountability in the placement process. By raising awareness and demanding fair treatment, we can work toward ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed.
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