IIT Bombay faces scrutiny over low SC, ST, and OBC faculty representation

New data obtained through Right to Information (RTI) applications reveals a significant lack of diversity among faculty at IIT Bombay. According to figures filed by Gowd Kiran Kumar, chairperson of the All India OBC Students Association, the institute has no Scheduled Tribe (ST) professors. Among the 412 faculty members at the professor rank, only five are from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and six are from Other Backward Class (OBC) categories.

At the associate and assistant professor levels, which comprise 363 faculty members, the data shows 29 SC, eight ST, and 35 OBC members. Comparisons with data from February indicate minimal progress in representation; for instance, the total number of SC faculty members across all three ranks increased by only one since the earlier report.

These findings emerge amid heightened scrutiny following the death of 20-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode in September. While the institute stated the student had received counseling, his parents have alleged caste-based harassment and discrimination. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the death, and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has initiated an inquiry.