MAINS 2014
GS2
12.5 marks
Should premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, more academic independence in designing courses, and decide mode/criteria of selection of students? Discuss in light of growing challenges.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss whether IITs/IIMs should keep premier status and full autonomy over courses and admissions given current challenges.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1For autonomy: global competition, faculty recruitment, industry-linked curricula, research, rankings≈35 words
- 2Concerns: accountability for public funds, social justice (reservation), high fees, elitism, brain drain≈35 words
- 3Challenges: faculty shortage, low global ranks, low research output, coaching-dependent admissions≈35 words
- 4Middle path: graded autonomy with accountability, transparent selection, diversity≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
ContextArguments for autonomyArguments for regulationCurrent challengesBalanced conclusion
Where marks usually go
- Supporting full autonomy without accountability and equity
- No reference to IIM Act or Institutes of Eminence
Draw this
- Spectrum: full control ← graded autonomy → full autonomy
Value addition
- LawIIM Act 2017 gave IIMs power to grant degrees and board-led selection of directors.Parliament, 2017
- PolicyInstitutes of Eminence scheme (2017) and NEP 2020's graded autonomy model.Ministry of Education
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 38 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 44 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 11 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 9 minutes, then get it checked.