Influencer Milind Chandwani Shares 2013 IIM Admission Experience Amid Reservation Debate, Emphasizes Equal Education Amid the ongoing reservation debate, IIT-IIM alumnus Milind Chandwani shared his 2013 college experience, stating that quality education for low-income students must precede any talk of removing quotas. Amid an escalating national debate surrounding India's reservation system, a video posted by social media influencer Milind Chandwani, who is the husband of actress Avika Gor, has gained widespread attention online. As an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Chandwani shared a poignant personal memory from his higher education days to highlight the complexities and real-world impact of current affirmative action policies. The 2013 Experience: 98.5 Percentile vs 58 Percentile In the video, Milind Chandwani recounted a specific incident dating back to 2013 during his college years. He recalled scoring a high percentile of 98.5 percent in competitive admissions but failing to secure call letters for interviews from the IIMs. Conversely, a fellow student who scored a 58 percent received interview calls from IIM. Chandwani noted that both he and his friend belonged to middle class family backgrounds, and his friend did not genuinely require affirmative assistance. However, because the institutional mechanism existed, his peer availed of the reservation benefit. Reflecting on that period, Chandwani admitted feeling deeply distressed by the stark disparity. Scoring 98.5 percent without receiving an interview call left him questioning the fairness and structure of the reservation framework at that point in his life. Perspective Shift Through Teach For India Chandwani explained that his initial perspective underwent a significant transformation later in his career. His mindset changed after he associated himself with the organization 'Teach For India' and began teaching students in government schools. Working at the grassroots level allowed him to observe that children from underprivileged sections, who genuinely need reservation the most, often lack even basic awareness about how to access or utilize these constitutional benefits. He emphasized that he does not hold the view that every individual utilizing reservation is without genuine need. On the contrary, numerous individuals across the country face severe social and economic disadvantages and truly rely on reservation support. Advocating Equal Opportunity and Quality Education Rather than taking a rigid stance for or against caste-based reservation, Chandwani focused on the prerequisite conditions necessary before any policy changes are considered. He stated that he remains neutral on whether caste-based reservation should be supported or opposed outright. However, he argued that if society or the government ever intends to phase out the system, equal opportunities and quality education must first be guaranteed to every child from low income backgrounds. According to Chandwani, ensuring foundational educational equity is essential so that underprivileged students can compete on an equal footing in competitive examinations and the modern job market. Only after establishing such a baseline of equal preparation can any conversation about dismantling the reservation system truly begin. Context of the Trending 'Reservation Hatao' Campaign Chandwani's video has surfaced at a moment when the 'Reservation Hatao Andolan' campaign is trending heavily across social media platforms. Users participating in the online movement are actively demanding structural reforms and modifications to India's existing quota system. The campaign has sparked intense public discussion, reflecting sharply divided perspectives nationwide. While one section advocates for immediate policy revisions, another section maintains that reservation remains indispensable until underlying socio-economic inequalities are completely eliminated. What this means for you What this means for readers: • Across India (For Students): It sharpens public focus among competitive exam aspirants on the critical need for foundational education equity. • At the Policy Level: It highlights the necessity of improving school-level education quality and awareness for low-income students across the country. Questions & Answers 1. Who is Milind Chandwani? Milind Chandwani is a social media influencer, an alumnus of IIT and IIM, and the husband of actress Avika Gor. 2. What 2013 experience did Milind Chandwani share? He shared that in 2013, despite securing a 98.5 percentile, he did not get an IIM call, whereas his middle-class friend with a 58 percentile received one. 3. How did working with Teach For India change Milind's perspective? While teaching government school students, he realized that children who genuinely need affirmative action the most often lack awareness on how to access or utilize it. 4. What prerequisite did Milind emphasize before removing reservation? He stated that before any talk of phasing out reservation, every child from low-income backgrounds must be guaranteed equal opportunities and quality education so they can compete on equal footing. 5. Which campaign is currently trending on social media? The 'Reservation Hatao Andolan' campaign is trending across social media platforms, with users calling for reforms in the current quota system. https://trendkia.com/en/education/arakshana-pranali-aura-iim-dakhile-para-soshala-midiya-inphluensara-milind-chandwani-ka-bayana-vayarala-samana-shiksha-ki-rakhi-ma-11578 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.