The New Grammar of Higher Education

This book delves into the intricate layers of neoliberalization and its challenges, which obstruct accessible and equitable education in Indian public universities. Through a scholarly lens, this work meticulously examines the persistent hurdles that have marred higher education in India, spanning ancient times to the present neoliberal era. It probes into the neoliberalization of public universities within the broader spectrum of the Indian higher education landscape, encompassing fund cuts, fee hikes, seat reductions, and the emergence of private universities. Central to the narrative is the assertion that Indian public universities have historically struggled to uphold inclusivity across various social dimensions, including caste, class, regional diversity, gender, and disability. It sheds light on the enduring challenges faced by aspiring students in India, particularly in the contemporary context. Further, this study emphasizes the critical role of universities and policymakers in fostering an environment in which students from all backgrounds will be able to access and thrive in higher education. The volume will serve as a valuable resource for academics, researchers, educators, and policymakers in higher education. Additionally, it will be an essential companion for those studying education, public policy, administration, political science, and sociology, both in India and globally.

Saranya Antony A is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, Easwari School of Liberal Arts, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh. She holds a PhD and an MPhil from the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and a master's degree in politics with a specialization in international studies from JNU. During her doctoral research, she was awarded the Erasmus+ Fellowship and studied at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania. Dr. Antony has previously served as a guest faculty in the Department of Politics and International Studies at Pondicherry University. Before that, she worked as a research fellow in political theory and constitutional law at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. Prior to that, she served as an assistant professor at the Government College of Arts and Science, Androth Island, Lakshadweep. Her areas of interest include higher education, Indian polity, caste and social justice, international politics, gender and intersectionality, the Baltic states, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

List of Tables viii Acknowledgments ix 1 Introduction 1 2 The Gurukulam to Colonial Imprints: Shaping Higher Education System in India 20 3 Architects of Change: Post-Independence Reforms and the Vision of Indian University System 50 4 The Neoliberal Turn in Universities in India 69 5 Dissecting Disparities in Indian Universities: Challenges to Accessibility, Affordability, and Equity 90 6 Conclusion: Agitate, Organize, Reclaim-The Continuing Battle for the University 113 References 130