TAG: GS- 2: GOVERNANCE
CONTEXT: India has seen a sharp decline in Academic Freedom Index rankings over the past 10 years.
EXPLANATION:
About the Academic Freedom Index:
- It has been published by the Global Public Policy Institute as a part of a global time-series dataset (1900-2019) in close cooperation with Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Scholars at Risk and the V‑Dem Institute.
- The report provides an overview of academic freedom in 179 countries by assessing five indicators. It is based on assessments by more than 2,197 country experts worldwide.
- The indicators include.
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- Freedom to research and teach
- Freedom of academic exchange and dissemination,
- Institutional autonomy of universities
- Campus integrity
- The freedom of academic and cultural expression.
- The scores are scaled from 0 (low) to 1 (high).
India’s Performance:
- India’s academic freedom score dropped from 0.6 points in 2013 to just 0.2 points in 2023, marking a significant deterioration.
- The report categorizes India as “completely restricted”, the country’s lowest rank since the mid-1940s.
Decline is attributed to many factors, including:
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- Political Influence on Universities
- Limitations on Student Protests
- Inadequate Funding.
- Teacher Shortages and Low Quality of Instruction.
- Socioeconomic Inequality.
- Gender Inequality.
Significance
- Impact on Democracy: The decline threatens democratic values, as universities, traditionally spaces for free thought and dissent, are increasingly under political control, limiting student protests and academic expression.
- International Reputation: India’s shrinking academic freedom could harm its global standing, making it less attractive to international students, scholars, and research collaborations.
- Long-Term Effects on Education: The politicisation of higher education may weaken innovation and critical thinking, hindering economic growth and the development of future leaders and policymakers.
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