Published Date: June 23, 2025

India’s premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have recently been embroiled in controversies that have sparked heated discussions across social media and news platforms. From IIT Delhi’s special PhD admission drive for SC/ST candidates to IIT Bombay’s veg/non-veg food debates, IIT Mandi’s reservation policy for skill courses, and IIT Gandhinagar’s alleged promotion of a book mocking Hindu gods, these incidents have raised questions about academic priorities, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity. Here’s an in-depth look at these developments and their implications for the Indian diaspora and beyond.

IIT Delhi’s SC/ST-Exclusive PhD Admission Drive

IIT Delhi announced a special PhD admission drive for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates for the 2025-26 academic year, aimed at filling vacant seats under reserved categories. The online portal opened on June 20, 2025, with a deadline of June 30, 2025. This initiative follows data presented to a parliamentary committee, highlighting that IIT Delhi’s doctoral programs fell short of the mandated 15% SC and 7.5% ST reservation quotas. To address this, the institute relaxed departmental eligibility criteria, such as requiring a minimum 5.5 CGPA in Master’s programs and a valid GATE score for SC/ST applicants.

While the move aligns with government affirmative action policies, it has sparked debate online. Some X users, including @garvit_sethii, criticized it as prioritizing caste over merit, questioning the exclusion of general category students. Others, including Ambedkarite groups, praised it as a step toward inclusivity. IIT Delhi’s Director, Rangan Banerjee, has not publicly commented, but the institute’s focus on diversity is part of its broader sustainability and inclusion efforts, which contributed to its 123rd global rank in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

IIT Bombay’s Veg/Non-Veg Food Debate

At IIT Bombay, tensions arose over the segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food in campus mess facilities, reigniting discussions about dietary preferences and cultural sensitivities. Reports on X suggest that certain hostel messes implemented separate counters or dining areas for vegetarian food, prompting accusations of dietary discrimination from non-vegetarian students. Conversely, vegetarian students, particularly from communities that adhere to strict dietary practices, argued for the separation to respect their beliefs.

This debate reflects broader societal divides over food choices in India, where vegetarianism is culturally significant for many. While IIT Bombay has not issued an official statement, similar incidents in 2023 at other IITs led to administrative interventions to balance inclusivity and respect for dietary diversity. The controversy has drawn attention away from IIT Bombay’s academic achievements, such as its 129th rank in QS 2026, where it scored highly in employer reputation (39th globally).

IIT Mandi’s Reservation in Skill Courses Controversy

IIT Mandi faced backlash over allegations that its Minor in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, offered through the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), initially promoted a “merit-based” admission process without reservations. A post by content marketer Anuradha Tiwari on X claimed IIT Mandi collaborated with her to offer the course with merit-based scholarships and no quotas for SC, ST, OBC, or EWS categories, which sparked outrage from Ambedkarite groups. These groups argued that all educational programs at centrally funded institutions must adhere to reservation norms (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC, 10% EWS).

Following the backlash, IIT Mandi distanced itself from Tiwari’s claims, stating that the course complies with government policies. The incident fueled debates about the applicability of reservations in skill-based certificate programs versus traditional degree courses. Critics on X, including @LovleshPokra, accused IIT Mandi of bowing to pressure, while supporters of reservations emphasized the need for affirmative action in all educational offerings.

IIT Gandhinagar’s Alleged Promotion of Book Mocking Hindu Gods

IIT Gandhinagar stirred controversy when social media posts alleged that its Humanities and Social Sciences Department promoted a book perceived to mock Hindu gods. The issue gained traction after X user @Bhairaviyogi highlighted the institute’s recent focus on Islamic studies in PhD theses, alongside claims that Professor Amit Arora from the Department of Material Science posted content supporting controversial figures and mocking Hindu sentiments. Arora’s posts, which reportedly included support for Umar Khalid and Hamas, were deleted after backlash, but screenshots circulated widely.

The book controversy, though not officially confirmed by IIT Gandhinagar, has raised concerns about academic freedom versus cultural sensitivity. The institute, ranked 801-850 in QS 2026, has faced scrutiny for its humanities department’s research topics, with some questioning their relevance to IIT’s technical mandate. This incident follows earlier controversies, such as Arora’s posts on the Ram Mandir, which critics labeled as divisive.

Broader Implications and Public Sentiment

These controversies have shifted focus from IITs’ academic and research achievements, such as IIT Delhi’s mandatory AI/ML courses and IIT Bombay’s Med-Tech hackathon with JIPMER. X posts reflect polarized sentiments, with users like @ACRF_OFFICIAL claiming IITs are becoming “puppets of Ambedkarite agendas,” while others defend the institutes’ efforts to align with national policies on inclusion and diversity.

For the Indian diaspora, these debates highlight the challenges of balancing tradition, modernity, and inclusivity in India’s premier institutions. The controversies also underscore the influence of social media in amplifying campus issues, often without full context. As IITs navigate these challenges, their global reputation—bolstered by rankings like IIT Delhi’s 93.1 citations per faculty score—remains strong, but public perception risks being shaped by these divisive issues.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on media reports and social media discussions. Claims regarding IIT policies and actions are inconclusive without official confirmation from the institutes.

Keywords: IIT Delhi PhD SC/ST, IIT Bombay veg/non-veg debate, IIT Mandi reservation controversy, IIT Gandhinagar book controversy, QS Rankings 2026, Indian education news, affirmative action, cultural sensitivity, Indian diaspora.