India, Sept. 16 -- Academic freedom in India is "severely restricted", with growing government authority over higher education influencing university governance and curbs on student expression and protests, according to a report by Scholars at Risk, an international network that monitors attacks on higher education.

Documenting 382 attacks on higher education communities in 59 countries and territories from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the report titled 'Free to Think 2026' warns of government campaigns to silence dissent and enforce political compliance in higher education.

According to the 2026 Academic Freedom Index (AFI), academic freedom declined significantly in 50 of the 179 countries analysed over the past decade, registerin...