IITs grapple with hidden caste bias despite merit-based claims

India's top engineering institutes claim to operate on merit-based principles, but students from marginalised communities report facing systemic exclusion within these institutions. Despite the emphasis on neutral selection, merit serves as a barrier for many from underprivileged backgrounds who gain admission.

The gap between IITs' stated commitment to equality and the lived experiences of marginalised students reveals underlying caste biases embedded in campus culture and institutional structures. These disparities affect academic experience, social integration, and long-term outcomes for vulnerable student populations.