The STEM Arena in India: A Story of Exclusion in Many Colors.

Sud, Reeteka; Ramanujam, Ramaswamy

In this perspective, we examine the impact of social exclusion on marginalized communities in India within STEM education and careers. The structures of social inequality are viewed principally along the axes of caste, gender, and their intersectionality. In India, although caste-based discrimination is illegal, and affirmative action by the state is constitutionally mandated, the caste system is kept alive by social practices in society and among the scientific community. Caste privilege often masquerades as "merit" and its impact is underplayed. Dalits (from the most oppressed classes), especially from a rural background, are the worst represented in STEM. While gender-based discrimination is a global problem, specific practices in hiring and career advancement in India aggravate this problem. Intersectionality problems remain largely unacknowledged in India. While policy initiatives do attempt affirmative action, they are rather weak. We advocate community awareness and education on these issues, both among the general public and within the STEM community in India.

CASTE discrimination; SOCIAL marginality; EQUALITY; CAREER development; AFFIRMATIVE action programs

GEN Biotechnology, 2024, Vol 3, Issue 4, p207

2768-1572

Academic Journal

10.1089/genbio.2024.0021