08 April 2025 Indian Express Editorial


What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : An Incomplete Social Justice

Context: Reservation in Private Universities and Colleges

Introduction: Reservation in private educational institutions has been a long-standing demand. Legal disputes over its validity were resolved by the Supreme Court over a decade ago.

 

Rationale for Reservation in Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

  • Effectively Maintained Inequality
    1. Private institutions are becoming exclusive spaces for upper-caste/class elites, exacerbating social inequality.
    2. Public institutions, where marginalized groups dominate, suffer from underfunding and overcrowding.
  • Elite Exodus from Public Education
    1. Privatization of education has accelerated, with private universities accounting for 26% of total enrolment (2021–22).
    2. Public institutions lack resources, while private ones attract top faculty and infrastructure.

 

Current Trends in Higher Education

  • Surge in Enrolment
    1. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) increased by 2.5x between 1990–91 and 2018–19.
    2. Marginalized groups (SC, ST, OBC, Muslims, women) drive growth but remain underrepresented in private institutions.
  • Rise of Private Institutions
    1. Private universities grew from 276 (2015) to 523 (2024).
    2. 45% of college students attend private unaided colleges.

 

Legal Framework

  • 93rd Constitutional Amendment (2005): Introduced Article 15(5), enabling reservations in private institutions, excluding minority institutions.
  • Judicial Backing
    1. Ashok Kumar Thakur vs Union of India (2008): Upheld reservations in state-run and aided institutions.
    2. IMA vs Union of India (2011) and Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust vs Union of India (2014): Extended reservations to unaided private institutions.

 

Political Implications

  • Congress’s Push
    1. The party aims to revive its social justice agenda ahead of the Ahmedabad AICC session.
    2. This could galvanize Dalit, Adivasi, and OBC voters.
  • Government Response: The ruling BJP faces pressure to address educational inequality but may resist due to pro-privatization leanings.

 

Challenges and Way Forward

  • Challenges
    1. De-Facto Privatization: Commercialization of education undermines equitable access.
    2. Weak Public Institutions: Chronic underfunding and faculty shortages.
  • Way Forward: Solutions
    1. Strengthen Public Education: Increase funding, fill vacancies, and ensure autonomy.
    2. Mandate Reservations in Private HEIs: Enforce SC/ST/OBC quotas and scholarships.

 

Conclusion: Reservation in private HEIs is critical to upholding constitutional equality. A dual approach of reviving public institutions and regulating private ones is essential for social justice.

 

Editorial 2 : Listen to the Minister

Context: Start-up culture in India  

 

Introduction: Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s Remarks on Indian vs. Chinese Startups are framed as a reality check, not a belittlement of India’s startup ecosystem and to highlight systemic gaps and encourage introspection rather than self-congratulation.

Comparison of Indian and Chinese Startup Ecosystems

  • Focus Areas
    1. India
      • Dominated by domestic consumption-driven sectors (e.g., Flipkart, Zomato).
      • There is an emphasis on services like e-commerce, food delivery, and fintech.
    2. China
      • Global dominance in cutting-edge, high-tech sectors (e.g. AI, EVs, robotics).
      • Examples: BYD (EVs), TikTok (social media), Shein (fast fashion), DeepSeek (AI).
  • Global Impact: Chinese firms compete directly with US giants internationally, while Indian startups largely cater to domestic markets.

 

R&D Investment: India vs. Others

  • Spending as Percentage of GDP
    1. India: 0.64% (2023).
    2. China: 2.41%.
    3. USA: 3.47%.
  • Private Sector Contribution to R&D
    1. India: 36.4%.
    2. China: 77%.
    3. USA: 75%.
  • Implication: Low R&D spending stifles innovation in deep-tech sectors.

 

Ecosystem Challenges in India

  • Structural Gaps
    1. Education & Skilled Labour: Lack of world-class technical universities and industry-academia collaboration.
    2. Industry Collaboration: Weak linkages between startups, corporations, and research institutions.
  • Technological Lag
    1. AI Patents (2023): China holds ~70% globally as per Stanford AI Index Report 2025.

 

Capital Constraints

  • Patient Capital Deficit: Deep-tech innovation requires long-term, high-risk investments.
  • Current Trend: Investors prioritize startups with quick exits (low-risk, high-reward models).

 

Way Forward

  • Policy Interventions: Increase R&D spending and incentivize private-sector participation.
  • Education Reforms: Strengthen STEM infrastructure and industry partnerships.
  • Funding Models: Develop mechanisms for patient capital (e.g. sovereign funds, corporate R&D alliances).
  • Stakeholder Responsibility: Government, academia, investors, and startups must collaborate to build a globally competitive ecosystem.

 

Conclusion: The minister’s remarks underscore the urgency for India to transition from a services-led startup economy to a technology-driven innovator. The challenge lies in transforming critiques into actionable strategies.