RTI Data Reveals Severe Under-Representation of Reserved Categories in IIM Calcutta Faculty Positions

Kolkata – Recent revelations obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act have brought to light significant disparities in faculty recruitment at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta). The data indicates that almost all reserved faculty positions for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) remain unfilled, raising concerns about social justice and compliance with affirmative action policies.

Key Findings from the RTI Data

The RTI response from IIM Calcutta, dated February 17, outlines the sanctioned faculty strength and the current filling status:

• Total Sanctioned Faculty Positions: 126
• General Category:
  • Sanctioned: 53
  • Filled: 79
  • Vacant: 26
• SC Category:
  • Sanctioned: 18
  • Filled: 2
  • Vacant: 16 (88.89% vacant)
• ST Category:
  • Sanctioned: 9
  • Filled: 0
  • Vacant: 9 (100% vacant)
• OBC Category:
  • Sanctioned: 34
  • Filled: 4
  • Vacant: 30 (88.24% vacant)
• EWS Category:
  • Sanctioned: 12
  • Filled: 0
  • Vacant: 12 (100% vacant)

In total, there are 85 filled positions out of 126, leaving 41 vacant. The data reveals that while reserved category posts remain largely unfilled, positions in the General category are filled beyond the sanctioned limit, indicating a significant imbalance.

Concerns Raised by AIOBCSA

Kiran Kumar Gowd, the National President of the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), expressed serious concerns regarding the recruitment practices at IIM Calcutta. He described the institution as an “upper caste hub,” emphasizing that the majority of reserved posts are vacant:

“On paper, IIM Calcutta has agreed that they have not recruited SC, ST, and OBC posts. Almost all reserved posts are vacant in IIM-C. 100% vacant for ST (9 posts), 88.88% vacant for SC (16 posts), 88.23% vacant for OBC (30 posts). Meanwhile, General posts are filled 150% more than allotted. IIM Calcutta is a hub of upper caste privilege! We demand implementation of social justice in IIM-C.”

Broader Implications of the Findings

This RTI data aligns with ongoing concerns regarding faculty representation across elite institutions, including other Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Critics argue that the disparities in representation violate constitutional mandates for affirmative action and undermine the principles of inclusive education.

AIOBCSA has consistently called for inquiries and special recruitment drives to fill backlog posts. They have also demanded public disclosure of reservation rosters, framing these actions as essential for achieving social justice in premier educational institutions.

Institutional Responses and Future Directions

IIM Calcutta’s official website states that the institute follows the Government of India’s reservation rules and encourages applications from reserved categories. However, the RTI figures suggest significant gaps in the implementation of these policies.

The AIOBCSA has urged for immediate measures to address these discrepancies, including:

• Conducting special recruitment drives for reserved category positions.
• Ensuring transparency in the recruitment process.
• Regular audits of faculty appointments to ensure compliance with reservation policies.

Conclusion

The stark under-representation of reserved categories in faculty positions at IIM Calcutta is a pressing issue that raises questions about the effectiveness of affirmative action policies in elite educational institutions. As calls for social justice and equitable representation continue, it is imperative for institutions like IIM Calcutta to address these disparities and work towards a more inclusive academic environment.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on data obtained through the Right to Information Act and reflects the current status of faculty recruitment at IIM Calcutta as of February 2026.