India slipped on the Academic Freedom Index (AFI)

8 Oct 2024

Why in the News?

India has seen a sharp decline in Academic Freedom Index rankings over the past 10 years.

	Details
Released by	Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in collaboration with Scholars at Risk (SAR) and V-Dem Institute (Varieties of Democracy) Published as a part of a global time-series dataset (1900-2019)
Purpose	To assess and quantify academic freedom across different countries
Score Range	0 (complete repression) to 1 (full academic freedom) Scores based on expert surveys and institutional data
Main Parameters	Freedom to Research and Teach Institutional Autonomy Freedom of Academic Exchange and Dissemination Campus Integrity Freedom of Expression for Academics Constitutional Protection of Academic Freedom
Usage	Tracking academic freedom trends Influencing policy Advocating for academic liberty in different countries
Annual Report	Published as part of the “Free to Think” report series by Scholars at Risk

India’s academic freedom score dropped from 0.6 points in 2013 to just 0.2 points in 2023, marking a significant deterioration.
The report categorizes India as “completely restricted”, the country’s lowest rank since the mid-1940s.
This decline is attributed to many factors, including:

Impact on Democracy: The decline threatens democratic values, as universities, traditionally spaces for free thought and dissent, and are increasingly under political control, limiting student protests and academic expression.
International Reputation: India’s shrinking academic freedom could harm its global standing, making it less attractive to international students, scholars, and research collaborations.
Long-Term Effects on Education: The politicization of higher education may weaken innovation and critical thinking, hindering economic growth and the development of future leaders and policymakers.

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