Academic freedom in India has been classified as “severely restricted” in the latest Free to Think 2026 report by Scholars at Risk. The report points to increased government influence over higher education, university governance and academic priorities. It also documents restrictions involving student expression, campus protests, faculty members and academic events. India’s Academic Freedom Index score was reported at 0.14, down from 0.16 in 2024, according to the report. The findings cover the period from July 2025 to June 2026 and form part of a wider global review of academic freedom.What Report Says About IndiaThe Scholars at Risk report says academic freedom in India remains severely restricted and links the decline to growing state influence over higher education. It says government authority has affected university governance, leadership appointments and academic priorities. The report also highlights actions by university administrations that it says have narrowed space for campus debate and student expression.India is classified as “severely restricted.”The reported AFI score is 0.14.The report cites increased government influence over universities.Student protests and campus expression are among its concerns.India recorded 42 of 382 documented attacks worldwide.Academic Freedom Index DeclinesThe report uses the Academic Freedom Index to assess areas including freedom to research and teach, institutional autonomy, academic exchange and campus integrity. According to the data cited by Scholars at Risk, India’s score fell from 0.38 in 2022 to 0.14 in 2025, while other reporting gives the recent 2024 score as 0.16.The decline is part of a broader international trend. The 2026 index found significant deterioration in 50 of 179 countries over the past decade, while only nine recorded improvements. India was placed in the same broad category as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Pakistan, the West Bank and Ukraine.Government Influence Raises QuestionsA major part of the report concerns the role of the University Grants Commission in higher education. Scholars at Risk says the BJP-led government continued to use the UGC as an important mechanism of state influence, including through policies concerning university leadership and academic employment. These are findings and interpretations presented by the report.The report also refers to specific cases involving faculty dismissals, cancelled academic events and student protests. One example cited is the 2025 termination of South Asian University professor Snehashish Bhattacharya, which the report discusses in the context of restrictions on academic dissent.Key HighlightsScholars at Risk released its Free to Think 2026 report.India was placed in the “severely restricted” category.India’s reported Academic Freedom Index score was 0.14.The report documented 42 attacks on higher education communities in India.UGC policies and government influence are among the issues highlighted.Academic freedom has also declined in several other countries.Report Sparks Academic Freedom DebateThe report has renewed discussion about academic freedom, university autonomy and the space available for debate in Indian higher education. Its findings focus on the period from July 2025 through June 2026 and form part of Scholars at Risk’s international monitoring work.The findings should be understood as the assessment of Scholars at Risk and the Academic Freedom Index rather than as an official Indian government assessment. The wider data also shows that academic freedom is facing pressure in multiple countries, making the Indian findings part of a broader global trend.ConclusionThe Free to Think 2026 report places India in the severely restricted category for academic freedom. It identifies government influence, university governance, campus expression and actions involving academics and students among its key concerns. India’s reported AFI score has also declined considerably over recent years. The findings add to the ongoing debate about academic independence and higher education governance in India.Disclaimer: This content is provided only for knowledge purposes and to provide news information.
