Concerns Raised Over Academic Freedom in India; ‘Scholars at Risk’ Report Highlights Issues

The ‘Free to Think 2026’ report by the international network ‘Scholars at Risk’ has categorized India among nations where academic freedom is described as severely restricted.

A new report has raised concerns regarding academic freedom in India. The ‘Free to Think 2026’ report by the international network ‘Scholars at Risk’ places India in the category of countries where academic freedom is severely restricted. According to the report, the increasing role of the government in higher education is impacting university administration, leadership appointments, and academic priorities. Additionally, the report highlights several incidents involving the freedom of expression of students and faculty on campuses.

382 Attacks on Higher Education Across 59 Countries

The ‘Scholars at Risk’ report documents 382 attacks on higher education communities across 59 countries and territories between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. It notes attempts in various countries to curtail dissent and increase political control over higher education institutions. The report also incorporates data from the 2026 Academic Freedom Index, revealing that over the past decade, significant declines in academic freedom have been recorded in 50 out of 179 countries, while improvements were seen in only nine.

India Placed in the ‘Severely Restricted’ Category

The report classifies India under the ‘severely restricted’ category. Alongside India, this category includes Hong Kong, Indonesia, Pakistan, West Bengal, and Ukraine. Meanwhile, countries placed in the ‘fully restricted’ category include Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and Gaza. According to the report, the central government’s role in higher education in India has expanded, influencing university administration, leadership appointments, and academic priorities. The report also highlights instances where university administrations dismissed faculty members, cancelled academic events, and implemented policies restricting student expression.

Questions Raised Regarding UGC Policies

The ‘Scholars at Risk’ report also comments on the University Grants Commission (UGC). It alleges that the ruling party has utilized the UGC to exert state influence over higher education. Citing certain recent UGC policies, the report notes that these have been perceived as moves to increase government control over universities; specific examples include changes to the academic qualification requirements for Vice-Chancellors and the removal of the 10% cap on non-permanent faculty. According to AFI data, India’s score dropped from 0.38 in 2022 to 0.14 in 2025. The report further observes that the decline in academic freedom is not limited to India but has also been observed in countries like the United States.

Cases Involving Faculty and Students

The report cites specific cases involving Indian faculty members as examples of concerns regarding academic freedom. One such instance involves Professor Snehashish Bhattacharya of South Asian University; according to the report, he was dismissed in 2025 on grounds of misconduct deemed contrary to the university’s interests. Bhattacharya and 14 other faculty members had previously expressed concern over the handling of student protests at the university in November 2022. Several other similar cases are also documented in the report.

Concerns Regarding Campus Protests and Academic Events

The report notes that some universities cancelled academic events based on statements made by participants regarding the topics being discussed. It also highlights the pressure exerted on student protesters by university administrations, the police, and opposing student groups. ‘Scholars at Risk’ reported that student protests took place around issues such as national identity, caste, religion, historical interpretation, policy changes, and academic decisions.