Answer

The ancient university of Nalanda stood as a global symbol of critical inquiry, open debate, and intercultural scholarship. Its destruction symbolised not just the loss of a structure, but of a spirit of fearless truth-seeking. Today’s universities, though more widespread, often struggle to uphold this spirit amidst bureaucratic control, commercialisation, and ideological interference, raising concerns about the erosion of their foundational purpose.

Challenges Faced by Modern Universities in Upholding Core Ideals

• Rising Intolerance and Fear: Penalising dissent restricts open dialogue, shrinking universities as spaces for critical and honest discourse.
  Eg: IISc dropped a Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act(UAPA) debate in 2023 due to external political pressure.
• Commodification of Education: Degrees are treated as commodities rather than vehicles for knowledge.
  Eg: Humanities suffer neglect as market demand prioritizes STEM and business courses.
• Global Ranking Pressure: Focus on rankings encourages uniformity, sidelining local relevance and critical subjects.
  Eg: Social sciences and regional languages lose funding compared to STEM in rankings race.
• Erosion of Academic Freedom: Faculty and students face retaliation for independent views.
  Eg: In the 2025 Academic Freedom Index by V-Dem, India ranked 156th out of 179 countries.
• Loss of Core Values: Universities risk losing commitment to justice, freedom, and equality.
  Eg: Student protests are met with suspensions and FIRs, stifling activism.
• State Ideological Control: Governments enforce specific narratives, undermining universities’ independent decision-making.
  Eg: UGC mandates slogans, limiting critical discourse and freedom of thought.

Measures to Revive Universities as Spaces of Truth-Seeking and Inquiry

• Protect Freedom of Expression: Universities must ensure safe spaces for dissent, where students and faculty can express ideas without fear of retaliation.
  Eg: John Henry Newman defined universities as institutions for valuable intellectual and moral activity, rooted in free thought and debate.
• Resist Market Pressures: Education should be treated as a public good focused on learning and insight, not merely job placement or profit.
  Eg: Delhi University’s reforms highlight liberal arts education over purely market-driven, job-oriented courses.
• Foster Open Debate: Academic spaces must promote dialogue and critical examination of competing ideas, fostering deeper understanding and analytical skills.
  Eg: NEP 2020 endorses classrooms that encourage critical thinking, questioning, and active student engagement.
• Boost Public Engagement: Universities must actively engage with real-world issues, especially those affecting marginalized communities and social justice.
  Eg: TISS Mumbai uses fieldwork programs to connect students with community needs and grassroots realities.
• Strengthen Autonomy: Academic institutions must be free from excessive bureaucratic or political interference in hiring, curriculum, and research.
  Eg: Finland’s University Autonomy Model empowers institutions with governance independence, fostering innovation and academic freedom

To achieve India’s vision of becoming the world’s third-largest economy and a $30 trillion economy by 2047, universities must produce innovative, critical thinkers. Reviving higher education as a vibrant hub of inquiry and truth is essential for sustaining long-term national growth and global leadership.

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