In most IITs across India, SC/ST Cells barely have any activity or funds

The data shared by the APPSC show that of the 19 IITs that have SC/ST Cells, only 12 have web pages. At IIT Guwahati, while the SC/ST Cell has no web page, it is the only IIT where the Cell has not only conducted events, but has also been allocated funds and a separate room to function.

Apart from IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi has also allocated funds for the SC/ST Cell and the Cell has also conducted events; but it has no separate room on campus. IIT Bombay, on the other hand, has a separate room allotted for the SC/ST Cell that has also conducted events, but there has been no fund allocation for the Cell. The situation is the same at IIT Roorkee.

Four IITs – Kharagpur, Mandi, ISM Dhanbad and BHU – do not have a SC/ST Cell. Four other IITs – Gandhinagar, Bhilai, Dharwad and Indore – have a SC/ST Cell but the Cell has never held an event, and has not been allotted funds or a separate room.

After sharing the data on social media, the APPSC, in its post, has urged the Education Ministry to encourage the IITs to implement reservation policy and conduct sensitisation events.

A member of the APPSC said, “After many IITs responded that they have formed SC/ST Cells; it was important to find out whether they are functional. The objective of these cells is to conduct sensitisation on campus by taking proactive measures. But a non-functioning SC/ST Cell just merely exists in name.”

Now, the APPSC plans to present this data to the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST), where they have an impending hearing.