Passionate About India

Finally, it has happened! After the ridiculous 95% and 96% cut-offs for the last few years, the cut-offs this year have finally touched 100% and exposing the joke of these cut-offs in totality. The ‘first list’ cut-off for science students at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi, has been declared at 100 %, Hindu College is at 99% and Lady Shri Ram College is at 97%. What people were failing to understand all these days – the ridiculousness of it all – they have suddenly understood in one stroke; that education is no more a matter of choice for Indians, its just a matter of chance. First, let me get into the logic of the SRCC cut-off! Well, the principal of SRCC of course thought it was a natural progression, and he was playing to the market demand and supply. As the number of people getting 96% plus in commerce rose ridiculously, he realized that SRCC seats could possibly get filled by declaring a 96% cut-off for commerce students. For science students, traditional...

So what is wrong with India’s most guarded and hyped institutions of higher education, the IITs and the IIMs? Well, if you ask me, it’s difficult to find what is right! Apart from the acres of land at their disposal and the good PR machinery that they have (thanks to the half-educated and complex-ridden journalists infesting the print media, who are ready to write any illogical thing at their behest due to their lack of understanding on the issue)... Now, before anyone accuses me of competitive bitching, without wasting words, let me proceed systematically! The first question we must ask is what makes a great institution? The answer to that is actually very simple! Great course content and great faculty! Course content, however, is copyable and quite standardised – at least amongst the world’s finest institutions! Faculty, therefore, becomes the most important distinguishing factor. Different streams of education require different kinds of faculty expertise. Management education requir...