INDIA: Over the past six months, I have traveled across India, visiting Tier 2 and Tier 3 university campuses, engaging with students, university management, and members of government skill councils and employability bodies. Beneath the surface of academic pursuit and skill development lies a grim reality—one that students are reluctant to discuss openly but is impossible to ignore. A silent yet pervasive scourge has infiltrated the campus placement ecosystem: the practice of “fixed placements” in exchange for money.
The Extortion Behind Campus Placements
Students from these universities, many of whom come from modest backgrounds, have shared alarming stories. To secure offer letters, they are coerced into paying amounts ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000. Payments are made not just to external placement consultants and corporate recruiters but often to individuals within the university placement cells—those entrusted with their future.
This practice strikes at the heart of ethical employment and undermines the integrity of India’s higher education system.
A Deceptive Promise
The exploitation doesn’t stop at financial extortion. If the offer letter is withdrawn, or if the candidate cannot join the role due to unforeseen circumstances, the money is non-refundable. For many students, these sums represent significant portions of their families’ savings, amplifying their financial burden. To add insult to injury, the names implicated in this racket often belong to reputed corporates—companies that should epitomize professionalism and ethical conduct.
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A Complicit System
What makes this issue even more egregious is the complicity of university management and placement cells. While some may turn a blind eye, others are active participants in this unethical cycle. The lack of oversight and accountability in these institutions enables the racket to thrive unchecked.
Corporate India, too, cannot escape scrutiny. Even if specific entities are not directly involved, the system fosters a culture where unethical intermediaries operate in their name. This tarnishes not only their reputation but also the trust of young, aspiring professionals.
Consequences for Students and Society
The implications of this malpractice are profound:
- Erosion of Trust: Students lose faith in their institutions and the job market.
- Financial Strain: Families already struggling to fund education are pushed further into debt.
- Ethical Decay: Future professionals are exposed to a system that normalizes corruption and compromise.
- Skill Mismatch: The focus shifts from merit to manipulation, undermining genuine talent and employability.
A Call to Action
It is imperative that this malpractice be rooted out with urgency and determination. Here are actionable steps that institutions and corporates must take:
- Establish a Hotline for Anonymous Complaints
Universities should set up a hotline to report unethical practices, with complaints investigated by an independent body to ensure transparency. - Audit University Placement Cells
Regular audits of placement processes by external agencies can deter malpractice, incorporating feedback from students to ensure their concerns are addressed. - Corporate Accountability
Corporates must establish strict protocols for engaging with universities and placement consultants. Surprise audits of recruitment processes can uncover unethical practices. - Empower Students
Workshops on ethical employment practices and legal recourse can equip students with the knowledge to resist exploitation. - Name and Shame
Institutions and corporates complicit in this racket must face public exposure. A negative list of offenders can deter future malpractice, while industry boycotts can reinforce the consequences of unethical behavior. - Government Intervention
Regulatory bodies must enforce strict guidelines for campus placements and penalize violators. Skill councils and employability bodies should monitor and address these issues proactively.
Restoring Integrity
The promise of education is not just knowledge but opportunity. This promise is betrayed when corruption becomes a prerequisite for employment. As stakeholders in the future of India, we cannot afford to let this malpractice fester.
Universities, corporates, and government bodies must work together to ensure that campus placements are meritocratic, ethical, and transparent. The time to act is now. Let us create an ecosystem where students can aspire to success without fear of exploitation—a system that values integrity over greed, merit over manipulation.
For the future of our students and the credibility of our institutions, this silent scourge must end.
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