The Indian higher education landscape is currently navigating a period of profound transition, marked by a shift from rote memorization toward competency-based frameworks. At the heart of this transformation is the philosophy championed by Prof. Rajeev Sangal, a veteran academic and former Director of IIT BHU and IIIT Hyderabad. His critique of the status quo—and his vision for the future—offers a blueprint for how institutions must evolve to remain relevant in a rapidly changing global economy.
The Tyranny of High-Stakes Testing
For decades, the Indian education system has been held captive by a “coaching culture” fueled by high-stakes entrance examinations. Prof. Sangal argues that this reliance on standardized testing has effectively hollowed out the learning process. When the primary objective of a student becomes the ability to solve a pattern-based question within a strictly timed environment, the deeper, conceptual understanding of a subject is inevitably sidelined.
This examination-centric model has created a feedback loop where institutions prioritize curricula designed to “crack” tests rather than foster intellectual curiosity. According to Sangal, the solution lies in a structural overhaul of how we measure capability. Assessments must pivot toward projects, continuous evaluation, and open-book examinations that test a student’s ability to apply knowledge rather than merely retrieve it. By decoupling institutional entry from repetitive testing, educators can reclaim the classroom as a space for critical thinking.
Institutional Autonomy and the Human Factor
A recurring theme in Prof. Sangal’s discourse is the necessity of institutional autonomy. He posits that government policies often attempt to impose a “one-size-fits-all” solution on a vastly diverse educational ecosystem. However, true innovation in learning—such as the integrated curriculum models or research-based pedagogy he spearheaded at IIIT Hyderabad—requires the freedom to experiment.
Institutions must move away from top-down directives and instead foster internal cultures of academic freedom. For Sangal, the strength of an institution lies not in its infrastructure or its ranking, but in the quality of its human relationships. The teacher-student dynamic should be defined by mentorship rather than mere instruction. By creating environments where students are treated as junior colleagues in research, institutions can spark the intrinsic motivation necessary for lifelong learning—a trait that modern policy often fails to incentivize.
Shaping Policy Through Competency
National policies, such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, have begun to emphasize interdisciplinary studies and vocational skills. While these goals are laudable, Prof. Sangal cautions that policy implementation is often hindered by a lack of teacher preparedness and a rigidity in administrative structures.
Policy should be viewed as a facilitator of learning, not a straitjacket for academic freedom. There is a pressing need for policies that incentivize universities to prioritize student well-being and holistic development over the sheer output of graduates. This involves investing heavily in faculty training programs that move beyond pedagogical techniques and focus on the philosophy of education itself—specifically, how to cultivate wisdom in an age of information saturation.
Reframing the Goal of Learning
Ultimately, the goal of education must be to equip students with “cognitive flexibility.” In an era where AI and automation are rapidly changing the definition of “work,” technical knowledge alone is insufficient. Sangal advocates for an education that emphasizes the “how” of learning—teaching students how to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
By de-emphasizing grades and re-emphasizing the joy of discovery, institutions can mitigate the mental health crisis currently plaguing the student population. When the pressure of exams is replaced by the pursuit of intellectual mastery, students become more resilient and better prepared for the uncertainties of the modern professional world.
As India positions itself as a global knowledge hub, the insights provided by educators like Prof. Rajeev Sangal serve as a vital reminder: reform is not just about changing syllabi; it is about changing the underlying mindset. By shifting our focus from the “exam-passing machine” to the “thinking individual,” we can build an education system that is not only efficient but fundamentally human-centric.
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