Challenges Faced by Scheduled Caste Students in Higher Education in India

Abstract

Higher education plays a significant role in promoting social mobility, economic empowerment, and democratic participation. In India, however, access to higher education remains unevenly distributed across social groups due to the enduring influence of caste-based hierarchies. Scheduled Castes (SCs), historically subjected to social exclusion and discrimination, continue to face significant barriers in accessing and sustaining participation in higher education despite constitutional safeguards and affirmative action policies. This paper examines the major challenges faced by SC students in higher education in India using secondary data drawn from government reports, national surveys, and existing scholarly literature. The study analyzes patterns of enrolment, socio-economic constraints, institutional limitations, caste-based discrimination, psychological stress, and the impact of privatization. The findings reveal that structural inequalities, economic deprivation, and subtle forms of discrimination continue to marginalize SC students within higher education institutions. The paper argues for the need to move beyond access-based policies towards inclusive institutional reforms that ensure equity, dignity, and academic success for SC students.