IIT Kharagpur Suspends PhD and MS Admissions Due to Hostel Accommodation Shortage; Check Details

New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Kharagpur has temporarily halted the admission process to the PhD and MS (Master of Science) programs for the spring semester 2023-24, because of a critical shortage of available hostel accommodations. 

The joint registrar, academic, at IIT Kharagpur issued a notice last week, citing that admissions to the PhD and MS programs are suspended for both male and female students in light of the severe hostel accommodation shortage. 

According to an IIT representative, the admissions for the spring semester were initially planned for late November. At IIT Kharagpur, admissions to the PhD program typically occur twice a year, in July and December.

Research scholars who joined IIT Kharagpur in July were informed that they would have to find their own accommodation outside the institute due to a significant shortage of available hostel facilities.

With the ongoing escalation of the crisis, admission has now been suspended, affecting even the MS program, as conveyed by an IIT Kharagpur spokesperson.

A professor at the institute raised questions about why the accommodation challenges couldn't be resolved on a campus that operates as a fully residential facility. The decision has sparked a significant debate among the campus community.

He highlighted the critical role research scholars play, stating that an institute's reputation is, to some extent, reliant on the enrollment of these scholars.

The IIT Kharagpur representative said that it is extremely regrettable that the nation's first IIT has to suspend its PhD admission because of accommodation issues.

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A research scholar emphasized that in addition to their research pursuits, scholars also serve as teaching assistants. These teaching assistants play a vital role, working closely with small groups of undergraduate and postgraduate students for tutorials and laboratory sessions under the guidance of faculty members. 

Consequently, the research scholars are regarded as the linchpin of this academic system. The suspension of PhD admissions has now affected both research scholars and aspiring candidates seeking the MS Admission.

A research scholar pointed out that the surge in the number of research scholars in recent years, combined with the IIT's inability to complete the construction of a new hostel, is the root cause of this predicament.

The research scholar expressed that they've been informed for several years that the institute is in the process of constructing a 1,500-seat hostel. However, the question remains: when will this construction reach completion? 

Given the perceived lack of adequate action by the authorities, the accommodation crisis has now extended its impact to the MS program, the research scholar said. 

However, contacting IIT Kharagpur director V.K. Tewari via phone calls, text messages, and email from this newspaper did not yield any response.

Meanwhile, IIT provides student accommodation across 22 halls of residence, comprising 14 for male students, six for female students, and two dedicated to research scholars who reside on campus with their families.

For research scholars who live independently, housing is arranged within the 20 hostels intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

According to the reports, the persistent problems of insufficient hostel facilities, alongside issues of inadequate water and electrical supply to the hostels. These concerns became prominent during student body elections held in April.

It seems that the accommodation crisis has not improved but rather exacerbated, the research scholar remarked. 

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