India Academic Freedom Severely Restricted

A global report has classified India’s academic freedom as “severely restricted,” citing increased government interference, campus restrictions, and the banning of books on Kashmir. The “Free to Think 2026” report by Scholars at Risk documented 382 attacks across 59 countries, highlighting India’s declining score from 0.38 in 2022 to 0.14 in 2025. The BJP government was accused of using the University Grants Commission to influence higher education, with policy changes affecting vice-chancellor appointments and faculty employment. Supreme Court actions barred three academics from public funding over curriculum content deemed critical of institutions. Universities like Jamia Millia Islamia and South Asian University suspended professors over dissent, while book bans targeted Kashmir-related scholarship. Student protests faced strict regulations, with police detaining demonstrators at institutions like TISS and Delhi University. The report also detailed violent clashes between student groups and crackdowns on political expression, reflecting broader global trends threatening academic autonomy and free inquiry.