Hyderabad, Sept. 17 -- Academic freedom in India was "severely restricted" between July 2025 and June 2026, according to a "Free to Think" report by Scholars at Risk (SAR), which placed the country alongside Hong Kong, Pakistan, Indonesia, war-torn Ukraine and the occupied West Bank.

SAR identified attacks on higher education communities worldwide, tracking and reporting key incidents aiming to protect vulnerable individuals, raise awareness, encourage accountability and promote tools to protect academic freedom. The 2026 report documented attacks in 59 countries and territories and saw "concerning developments" in 22, including India.

Centre's involvement in influencing higher studies

It highlighted the Centre's expansion of authority...