The annual Scholars at Risk (SAR) released its ‘Free to Think 2026’ report, concluding that India’s academic freedom is now in the ‘severely restricted’ category. The assessment covers the period July 1 2025 to June 30 2026 and highlights a sharp decline in the Academic Freedom Index (AFI) from 0.16 in 2024 to 0.14 in 2026.
Key Developments (2025‑2026)
- India recorded the highest number of attacks on scholars – 42 cases out of 382 worldwide incidents.
- The central government expanded control over university governance, appointments and curricula.
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) relaxed qualification norms for vice‑chancellors and lifted the 10 % cap on contract faculty.
- Several academics faced bans, dismissals or funding restrictions, including a Supreme Court order against three scholars over NCERT textbook content.
- Student protests were curbed through bans on public meetings, show‑cause notices and police action, notably at Jamia Millia Islamia and the University of Delhi.
Important Facts
The report places India alongside China (AFI 0.07) and Afghanistan (AFI 0.09) in the ‘severely restricted’ band. Since 2015, India’s AFI fell from 0.41 to 0.14, indicating a decade‑long erosion of academic autonomy. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was cited in a Supreme Court ban that barred three scholars from receiving public funding for curriculum work because of a reference to ‘corruption in the judiciary.’
Other high‑profile cases include:
- Dismissal of Michel Danino, a guest professor at IIT Gandhinagar, after the NCERT controversy.
- Termination of Professor Snehashish Bhattacharya (South Asian University) for signing a protest‑related letter.
- Firing of Professor Lora Santhakumar (SRM Institute) over social‑media criticism of civilian casualties in Pakistan.
- Suspension of Professor Virendra Balaji Shahre (Jamia Millia Islamia) for an exam question on Muslim atrocities.
Exam Relevance
The decline in academic freedom touches several GS papers:
- GS 2 (Polity): Understanding the role of constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, the legal framework governing higher education, and the impact of political parties – notably the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – on institutional autonomy.
- GS 1 (History): Tracing the historical evolution of academic freedom in India from the pre‑independence era to the present.
- GS 4 (Ethics): Evaluating ethical responsibilities of scholars, administrators and the state in safeguarding free inquiry.
Questions may ask about the constitutional provisions (Article 19(1)(a)), the role of bodies like the UGC, and the implications of state‑driven censorship on democratic values.
Way Forward
To restore academic freedom, the following steps are suggested:
- Strengthen statutory safeguards that guarantee institutional autonomy and protect scholars from political interference.
- Re‑introduce the 10 % cap on contract faculty to prevent casualisation of academic staff.
- Ensure transparent, merit‑based appointments of vice‑chancellors and senior administrators.
- Establish an independent grievance redressal mechanism for faculty and students facing punitive actions.
- Promote dialogue among student groups, encouraging peaceful protest while preventing violence.
Monitoring by bodies like Scholars at Risk (SAR) can provide early warnings and pressure the government to adhere to democratic norms.