GS-2Editorials09 September 2026thehindu.com

Reclaiming universities through trust, student voice

The article discusses the growing assertiveness of Indian students, particularly Gen Z, and the underlying governance crisis in higher education institutions. It highlights a Supreme Court intervention regarding the Bar Council of India's (BCI) order affecting NALSAR students, emphasizing the need for academic freedom and student voice. The author argues against the prevailing 'control model' of university governance, which leads to V-C centric administrations, declining public funding, and suppression of free speech, advocating instead for a 'liberty model' that fosters trust, student participation in decision-making, and democratized campuses to address student grievances and promote knowledge creation.

The article discusses the growing assertiveness of Indian students, particularly Gen Z, and the underlying governance crisis in higher education institutions. It highlights a Supreme Court intervention regarding the Bar Council of India's (BCI) order affecting NALSAR students, emphasizing the need for academic freedom and student voice. The author argues against the prevailing 'control model' of university governance, which leads to V-C centric administrations, declining public funding, and suppression of free speech, advocating instead for a 'liberty model' that fosters trust, student participation in decision-making, and democratized campuses to address student grievances and promote knowledge creation.

Exam linkage

GS Paper II - Polity and Governance

Syllabus mapping

Indian Polity & GovernanceFundamental RightsConstitutional & Statutory BodiesIndian Culture Art ArchitectureModern Indian HistoryFreedom StruggleIndian Society DiversityGlobalization Indian Society

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on Indian Polity & Governance come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.

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