September 9, 2025

An emotional post on LinkedIn by an Indian woman has gone viral, stirring a fierce debate about the country's reservation policies. Titled “Leaving India - not by choice, but by compulsion,” she revealed she was selected for a program in Singapore and Dubai. Though proud of her success, she feels heartbroken about possibly settling abroad instead of helping her beloved nation. She explained the tough path she faced in Indian higher education despite shining academically. “I studied at Lucknow University, graduating with high marks. I worked harder still, cleared CAT with a top percentile, and dreamed of joining the best institutes in India. Yet, admissions were denied. Seats went to candidates with far lower scores, not because of merit, but because of reservation policies,” she shared. She said she ended up joining FMS in 2013 instead of an IIM, a decision made reluctantly. Again in 2025, after clearing the GMAT, she couldn’t get into top Indian schools due to limited seats for the General category. So, she chose to leave. “This wasn’t just my battle — it is the story of countless aspirants in India. Talented, hardworking minds who dream of serving the nation but are pushed away by a system that has become increasingly unfair,” she wrote passionately. While acknowledging the historical need for reservations, she believes the system has changed into “a tool of political arithmetic” that now even hurts economically weaker people in the General category. “What began as justice has turned into another form of discrimination,” she said. Making it clear, she stated, “This is not a call against any community. This is a plea for equal opportunity. For a system where merit and talent are recognized above all else.” She urged policymakers to build “an India where no one has to leave by compulsion, but only by choice.” Her post sparked a flood of comments. One user said, “Absolutely right you are, I am sorry but if a nation has to still resort to reservations even after 78 years of independence, that means nothing was lacking except for the right intentions…Time to focus more on education & holistic approach of development else the brain drain would forever remain there.” Another commented, “Resonate with you 100 percent. Here all political parties are feeding this reservation crap everyday.” Others called reservations “the greatest entitlement program” and “more of a political tool, less of a social engineering instrument now.” This woman’s story has lit up a crucial conversation on fairness, merit, and the future of education in India. Will the country listen and change?

Read More at News →

Tags: Reservation policies, Higher education, India, Brain drain, Student struggle,