Transformative Agency as Defiance – Marginalized-Caste Students’ Challenges to Indian Higher Education

Indian higher education, while a beacon of opportunity, often becomes a site of profound struggle for Dalit students facing entrenched caste discrimination. This paper moves beyond narratives of victimhood, instead spotlighting the powerful agency of Dalit students as they actively reshape their educational journeys. Through intimate interviews with three marginalized caste students, we uncover how their everyday actions embody transformative defiance. Their stories reveal strategic efforts: challenging pervasive myths about academic merit and reservations, illuminating the complex layers of intersectional discrimination, broadening linguistic practices within university spaces, and directly confronting systemic inequities in admissions and social life. These narratives demonstrate how Dalit students assert their dignity and drive change through both individual and collective resistance. This study ultimately champions Dalit voices and knowledge, calling for educational systems that truly affirm their experiences and foster equitable learning environments.