New Delhi: Following a complaint alleging caste-based discrimination, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has discontinued its practice of collecting and sharing students’ caste details with Public Sector Units (PSUs) for placement purposes. This decision marks a significant step towards addressing concerns about potential discrimination within the prestigious institution.
The change in the directive comes in response to a complaint filed by IIT-Kanpur alumnus Dheeraj Singh with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), objecting to alleged discriminatory practices in IIT placements in 2023. IIT Bombay confirmed to the NCSC that the practice of collecting caste data ended in 2024.
Previously, IIT Bombay collected this information to provide to PSUs, which would then verify the documents for positions reserved for specific categories. The institute clarified that the placement office itself was not directly involved in collecting the data.
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While IIT Bombay has ceased this practice, concerns remain about potential discrimination in the private sector. Dheeraj Singh, who founded a global alumni network supporting SC/ST students, worries that private companies might still inquire about JEE category ranks during interviews, potentially leading to unfair judgments based on caste despite comparable academic achievements. He has called upon the government to ensure both IITs and private recruiters end such practices.
This incident follows earlier allegations of caste discrimination at IIT Bombay, particularly after the tragic suicide of a first-year student. Although an interim report cited academic performance as a possible factor and found no direct evidence of caste-based discrimination, the student’s family rejected these conclusions. The institute has since implemented anti-discrimination guidelines, but the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.
