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Scholars at Risk's 'Free to Think 2026' report, released on 15 September 2026, puts India in the 'severely restricted' category for academic freedom.
India's Academic Freedom Index (AFI) score fell from 0.38 in 2022 to 0.14 in 2025.
The report documents 382 attacks on higher-education communities in 59 countries and territories between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Of 179 countries assessed with AFI data, academic freedom declined over the past decade in 50 and improved in 9.
For India, it cites government influence over university administration, appointments and curricula, and names the UGC as the main channel.
International network of universities that protects threatened scholars and monitors attacks on higher education; publishes the annual Free to Think report
Expert-coded index of academic freedom across five dimensions, produced by the V-Dem Institute with FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
Statutory body that funds and sets standards for universities in India
Created the UGC. The report says UGC regulations are the main route of government influence over faculty appointments and vice-chancellor eligibility.
Freedom of speech and expression, the constitutional basis for academic and campus expression. It is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).
GS Paper II > Education; Reports and Indices
What is the aim of the programme 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan'?
Answer: Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
Freedom of scholars and students to research, teach, publish and speak without interference
A university's ability to govern itself — appointments, curricula, finances — without external control
V-Dem/FAU index that scores 179 countries from 0 to 1