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

Kolkata- New RTI revelations have spotlighted stark disparities in faculty recruitment at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta), with almost all reserved posts for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) remaining vacant. The data, obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) National President Kiran Kumar Gowd, has sparked renewed calls for immediate implementation of social justice measures and reservation policies in the institute.

According to the official RTI response from IIM Calcutta dated February 17, the sanctioned faculty strength and current filling status are as follows:

1. Total sanctioned faculty positions: 126

2. General Category: Sanctioned 53, Filled 79, Vacant -26 (Note: Filled exceeds sanctioned, indicating over-recruitment in unreserved category)

3. SC Category: Sanctioned 18, Filled 2, Vacant 16 (88.89% vacant)

4. ST Category: Sanctioned 9, Filled 0, Vacant 9 (100% vacant)

5. OBC Category: Sanctioned 34, Filled 4, Vacant 30 (88.24% vacant)

6. EWS Category: Sanctioned 12, Filled 0, Vacant 12 (100% vacant)

7. Overall filled positions: 85 out of 126, leaving 41 vacant.

The data highlights a pattern where reserved category posts remain largely unfilled, while General category positions are filled beyond the sanctioned limit (150% over in relative terms for General).

AIOBCSA National President Kiran Kumar Gowd described the institute as an "upper caste hub" while speaking with The Mooknayak. He emphasized: "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."

This RTI data aligns with broader concerns raised in previous reports and campaigns by AIOBCSA regarding faculty reservation compliance across IIMs and IITs. Similar patterns of low representation from reserved categories have been documented in multiple elite institutions, with critics arguing that such disparities violate constitutional mandates for affirmative action and undermine inclusive education.

AIOBCSA has repeatedly demanded inquiries, special recruitment drives for backlog posts, and public disclosure of reservation rosters. The association has called for protests and policy interventions to address these issues, framing them as essential for achieving social justice in premier educational institutions.

IIM Calcutta's official website states it follows Government of India reservation rules and encourages applications from reserved categories, but the RTI figures suggest significant gaps in implementation.