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Understanding Students’ Attitudes Towards Affirmative Action Policy in Higher Education in India

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  • Nidhi S. Sabharwal

    (Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, India)

Abstract

To mitigate the severe educational horizontal inequalities in India, affirmative action (AA) measures in higher education (HE) have been implemented for socially excluded groups, such as the Scheduled Castes (former “untouchables”), the scheduled tribes (whose status resembles indigenous groups in other countries), and other classes lower in the caste hierarchy. Despite the introduction of AA measures, societal attitudes generally remain resistant to caste‐based reservation policies. Interestingly, very few studies in India have examined AA support among the most directly affected group of people when it comes to AA measures in HE—college students. The current article aims to fill this gap. It asks: Which factors (such as students’ background characteristics, pre‐college credentials, experience in college, and caste‐based beliefs) underlie college students’ attitudes (support or resistance) towards AA? This study builds on a large‐scale survey conducted among 3200 students studying in 12 public higher education institutions across six provinces in India. The results of the empirical analysis indicate that students’ attitudes towards AA are shaped and influenced by their social identity and educational experiences in college. It is also noteworthy that caste‐based biases and prejudices affect students’ attitudes particularly and may explain opposition to AA.

Suggested Citation

  • Nidhi S. Sabharwal, 2024. "Understanding Students’ Attitudes Towards Affirmative Action Policy in Higher Education in India," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v12:y:2024:a:7601
    DOI: 10.17645/si.7601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Kiruba Munusamy, 2022. "The legal basis for affirmative action in India," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-74, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Bullock, John G., 2021. "Education and Attitudes toward Redistribution in the United States," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 51(3), pages 1230-1250, July.
    5. Devi Akella, 2012. "Mandal commission agitations: a comparison of affirmative action programmes of USA and India: a case study," International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(4), pages 461-479.
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