Volume 14 | Issue 5 |

 Abstract

Higher education has long been regarded as a transformative force in modern societies, serving as a pathway to social mobility, economic empowerment, and democratic participation. In India, the expansion of higher education since independence has been closely linked to aspirations of social justice, nation-building, and inclusive development. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) reaching 28.4% in 2021-22 (AISHE, 2022), the sector has witnessed significant quantitative growth. However, questions remain regarding its qualitative and structural impact on marginalized communities. This paper critically examines higher education as a tool of social transformation in India from a sociological perspective, drawing upon secondary data sources including national surveys, policy documents, and scholarly literature. The study analyzes disparities in access across caste, class, gender, and region, highlighting persistent gaps in enrolment and completion rates among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Using theoretical frameworks such as Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital, the paper explores whether higher education facilitates upward mobility or reproduces existing social hierarchies. The findings suggest that while higher education has contributed to increased participation, enhanced gender Equality, and expanded institutional infrastructure, structural inequalities continue to shape educational outcomes. The paper argues that transformative potential lies not merely in expansion but in ensuring equitable access, inclusive institutional cultures, and redistributive policy mechanisms. Strengthening these dimensions is essential for higher education to function as a genuine instrument of social transformation in contemporary India.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Higher Education, Social Transformation, Social Mobility, Inequality, India

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Inclusive education signifies that education is a fundamental right for every individual, irrespective of class, caste, gender, disability, or socio-economic background. It is a transformative system that ensures every individual across the globe deserves the opportunity to learn, pursue higher qualifications, and contribute meaningfully to society. However, the journey toward this ideal in India has been a complex transition from deep-seated exclusion to a rights-based framework.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Elite class, Reservations, Learning disabilities, Institutional barriers, Digital divide, Positive classroom atmosphere, National Education Policy, Social Equity

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Inclusive growth and poverty reduction are important goals of India's development efforts, particularly for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), who have faced long-term social and economic disadvantages. Higher education plays a key role in helping individuals improve their skills, secure better employment, and achieve upward social mobility. To support these communities, the government introduced the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) to ensure that public funds are fairly allocated for their development. Karnataka strengthened these initiatives through the SCP-TSP Act of 2013 and its amendment in 2017. Against this background, the present study examines how SCP-TSP interventions have contributed to inclusive growth in Karnataka, with special focus on higher education. The study is based on secondary data collected from the Census of India (2011) and budget documents of the Government of Karnataka for the period from 2016-17 to 2023-24. To analyse the data, simple statistical tools such as percentage analysis, trend analysis, and compound annual growth rate were used. The findings show that SCs and STs constitute 17.05 per cent and 7.01 per cent respectively of Karnataka's population, indicating the large number of people who depend on targeted welfare programmes. SCP allocation increased from INR14,408.10 crore in 2016-17 to INR21,044.14 crore in 2018-19, while TSP allocation rose from INR5,632.19 crore to INR8,650.36 crore during the same period. However, funding for higher education declined sharply from INR257.86 crore in 2016 to INR47.95 crore in 2020. The compound annual growth rate analysis reveals a negative growth trend in SCP-TSP higher education funding, with combined allocation declining annually by 2.84 per cent during the study period. The study shows that although Karnataka has achieved high utilization efficiency under SCP-TSP, the declining long-term growth in higher education funding has limited its potential impact on inclusive growth and poverty alleviation. Therefore, sustained and stable financial commitment is essential to strengthen educational access and ensure lasting socio-economic empowerment of SC/ST communities.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Inclusive Growth, Higher Education, SCP-TSP Interventions, Allocation, Expenditure

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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This research paper comprehensively analyzes the impact of globalization on India's higher education system and policy since the country opened up to globalization, liberalization, and privatization in the 1990s. The study identifies key changes such as privatization, internationalization, and the technical revolution. Specifically, it discusses how the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP 2020) attempts to reshape the Indian higher education system to meet global requirements.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Globalization, Higher Education, NEP 2020, Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Inclusion.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-confidence and performance in individual sports among college athletes. Psychological factors are crucial in shaping athletic achievement, particularly in individual sports where outcomes rely solely on the athlete's personal abilities and mental resilience. The study involved a sample of 100 college athletes competing in individual sports, including athletics, badminton, wrestling, and swimming. A descriptive correlational research design guided the investigation. Data collection utilized a standardized Sports Self-Confidence Questionnaire alongside official performance records. Statistical analyses, including mean, standard deviation, Pearson's product-moment correlation, and ANOVA, were used to interpret the results.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Self-confidence, Individual sports, Sports performance, Psychological factors, College athletes.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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The Constitution of India is a key legal and social document that has significantly influenced the country's path since independence. Created under the guidance of B. R. Ambedkar and adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India, it aimed to set up a democratic system of governance and act as a means for social change. This article looks at the role of the Constitution, focusing on reforms after independence and the quest for social justice. It shows how constitutional provisions have shaped public policy, legal interpretation, and the development of institutions. By incorporating principles such as equality, liberty, fraternity, and justice in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy, the Constitution established a foundation for addressing historical inequalities based on caste, gender, class, and religion.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Indian Constitution, Social Justice, Post-Independence Reforms, Fundamental Rights, Democratic Governance

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Education has long been recognized as a crucial instrument for social change and upward mobility in society. In the context of Karnataka, education plays a significant role in shaping social mobility by enabling individuals from marginalized and disadvantaged communities to improve their socio-economic status. This paper examines the role of education in promoting social mobility in Karnataka society from a sociological perspective. It explores how access to formal education, government policies, affirmative action, and expansion of educational institutions have contributed to reducing traditional barriers based on caste, class, and gender. At the same time, the study highlights persistent inequalities in access to quality education between rural and urban areas and among different social groups. Using secondary data from government reports, census data, and existing sociological studies, the paper analyzes the transformative as well as reproductive functions of education. The findings suggest that while education has facilitated social mobility for many individuals in Karnataka, structural constraints such as economic disparity, digital divide, and uneven educational infrastructure continue to limit its full potential. The paper concludes that strengthening inclusive and equitable education is essential for enhancing social mobility and achieving sustainable social change in Karnataka society.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Education; Social Mobility; Social Change; Karnataka Society; Caste and Class; Inequality; Educational Policy.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Tejasvi sahityadalli parisara prajne

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Tejasvi sahityadalli parisara prajne

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Charitrika hinnaleyalli Channadasa samudaya

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Charitrika hinnaleyalli Channadasa samudaya

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Bharatada Charitre; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Drushtikonada Vishleshana

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Bharatada Charitre; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Drushtikonada Vishleshana

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition