Galgotias University Fiasco at the India AI Impact Summit 2026

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Galgotias University allegedly misrepresented an imported Chinese robot as an original creation. This "AI-washing" scandal is a proof of a broader systemic failure within Indian higher education, where marketing and optics are prioritised over genuine scientific progress. Manipulation of metrics becomes the norm, in which universities crave for rankings such as NAAC and so on and give bribe to get accreditation. Institutions file thousands of low-quality patents to climb national rankings despite having negligible success rates. By contrasting private universities with premier public institutions, we can see a focus on quantity over quality stifles real innovation. This incident should be a warning that India risks becoming a mere consumer of technology unless it fosters a culture of authentic research and accountability. This critique suggests that superficial branding threatens the nation's long-term credibility in the global AI landscape. It serves as a potent metaphor for the structural and cultural crises currently facing Indian higher education and its participation in the global AI revolution. 1. The Failed Opportunities in the AI Revolution The incident highlights a shift from creation to curation. While the university later argued the robot was a "hands-on learning platform," the initial presentation suggested "end-to-end engineering." • Consumption vs. Innovation: India risks becoming a nation of AI "consumers" rather than "creators." By rebranding imported hardware, institutions bypass the difficult, long-term work of building foundational AI models or robotics hardware. • The "AI-Washing" Trap: Just as companies use "greenwashing" to appear eco-friendly, institutions are using "AI-washing" to stay relevant. This obscures genuine research, making it harder for actual innovators to secure funding and attention. 2. The Sad State of Higher Education: "Quantity Over Quality" The controversy brought to light a systemic issue in how Indian universities measure success: • Patents Filed vs. Patents Granted: The obsession with rankings has led to a "patent-filing boom." Statistics revealed that while Galgotias filed over 2,200 patent applications, its grant rate was roughly 1% (only 24 patents). In contrast, older IITs have far fewer filings but grant rates exceeding 40% to 60%. • Metric Manipulation: National ranking frameworks (like NIRF) often reward the number of filings. This incentivizes universities to file low-quality or "junk" patents to climb rankings, rather than producing breakthrough research that can survive rigorous examination. • The "Zombie University" Effect: Academic life is increasingly defined by a "performance of relevance." Institutions focus on building massive, glitzy campuses and marketing slogans ("India’s first AI-enabled university") while neglecting the "hard yards" of faculty development and research culture. 3. Optics Bypassing Reality The viral interview of the university representative, who claimed the robot moved freely across campus for surveillance, exemplifies a culture where branding is prioritized over substance: • Spectacle over Transformation: The summit was meant to showcase India's AI prowess, but the presence of "white-labeled" foreign technology suggests a "vinyl cover-up" strategy—projecting ambition without first building the infrastructure at scale. • The Sincerity Gap: There is a widening disconnect between the narrative of "Global Leadership in AI" and the ground reality of student employability. When a university claims a $350 crore investment but showcases a $2,800 imported product as its centerpiece, it damages the credibility of the entire national ecosystem. Comparison of Innovation Metrics

The "robodog" is a mirror. It shows that unless India shifts its focus from "numerical expansion" to "transparent accountability," the AI revolution may pass through its classrooms without leaving behind any real intellectual property.

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Identity Politics: That which ruined India

The unquestionable power that Congress had became weakened due to various reasons. Most observers would point out that the growing corruption, concentration of powers in the Nehru family (Nehru dynasty), neglecting regional leaders as the reasons for its near disintegration. Though these can be true, these are not the really lethal weapon that destroyed the party. There are corrupt leaders in all parties, and there are family control in almost all the other parties. 

After V P Singh purposefully used Mandal Commission report, identity politics became crucial in various states. If one takes examples of states where Congress has not much role at all, such as Tamil Nadu, one would not fail to see that 'identity' is a major factor. Dravidian or Tamil identity for Tamil Nadu, NTR used Andhra feelings yo garner support, so is TRS in the present day.

With RSS got an upper hand using a bigger identity game in the form of Hindu Swabhiman, Congress lost its foot hold. Now, the Hindu identity politics of the BJP are successfully countered only by the regional parties, using their regional identity markers. But in the long run, chances are that the majoritarian feelings in the form of religious feelings would swallow even regional sentiments.

Also readhttps://onlookkers.blogspot.com/2020/03/an-insight-on-what-is-at-stake-for.html?m=1

Image source: the quint

An insight on what is at stake for secular India

As we, Indians, welcomed the beginning of a new era 2020 (the era which was supposed to bring the promised 'acha din'), it would be interesting to investigate the contemporary political discourse that pervades the country. Any impartial political observant committed to the democratic secular ethos of the Constitution of India would be alarmed at the way all the ideals that make up our country such as democracy, secularism, etc are under threat and all the political establishments that were built by Nehruvian era have been irrecoverably destroyed. Judiciary, Rule of Law, and every such institutions are being on the verge of complete annihilation.

This, coupled with the continuous electoral victories of the ruling party, would prompt us to ask this crucial question: Is India turned out to be a completely hopeless theocratic state with hundred per cent disregard for civil rights?

The answer is not so simple as one may imagine. Just look at the way AAP has managed to win the election. We would be able to appreciate the fact that our voters were not mesmerised by the fundamentalist bombardment of propaganda that pervaded the media. When Kejriwal brought out the "good governance"(acha din) as promised by him, people chose him.

So, is it so easy to convince the voters and bring back the secular forces to power? Before proceeding to answer either a 'yes' or a 'no', we need to know what were/are the problems of the dominant democratic secular political party of India, INC (Indian National Congress): dynasty, corruption, incompetency, identity politics? It invites a detailed analysis. 

(Will continue...)

yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devata

yatra naryastu pujyante
ramante tatra Devata,
yatraitaastu na pujyante
sarvaastatrafalaah kriyaah

Where women are honored, divinity rejoices, and where women are dishonored, all action no matter how noble remain unfruitful. (Manusmruthi)

എവിടെ സ്ത്രീകൾ പൂജിക്കപ്പെടുന്നുവോ, അവിടെ ദേവതമാർ രമിക്കുന്നു. എവിടെ സ്ത്രീകൾ അപമാനിക്കപ്പെടുന്നുവോ, എല്ലാ കർമ്മങ്ങളും, എത്ര ശ്രേഷ്ഠവുമാവട്ടെ, നിഷ്ഫലമാവുന്നു.

"കുറച്ചു നേരം മിണ്ടാതെ റിക്ഷ ചവിട്ടിയ അയാൾ പെട്ടെന്ന് അടുത്ത ചോദ്യമെറിഞ്ഞു: 'നിങ്ങൾക്ക് സ്ത്രീകളെ കിട്ടണമെന്ന് അത്ര നിർബന്ധമാണോ സാബ്?'

ഏതോ ഒരാശ്രമത്തിലെ കള്ളകളികളിലേക്കുള്ള വാതിൽ തുറന്ന് കിട്ടാൻ പോകുകയാണോ? ഞങ്ങൾ പരസ്പരം നോക്കി. ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞു: 'അതെ. കിട്ടിയാൽ നന്നായിരുന്നു.'

'എങ്കിൽ നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ വീട്ടിലേക്കു വരൂ. എന്റെ ഭാര്യയെ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ഉപയോഗിക്കാം. 200 രൂപ തന്നാൽ മതി.'

ഞങ്ങൾ തരിച്ചിരുന്നുപോയി." (വിശുദ്ധ പാപങ്ങളുടെ ഇന്ത്യ, അരുൺ എഴുത്തച്ചൻ)



There is nothing more to add, or no need to paraphrase it. In India, women are considered as a burden, and people make use of religion as an excuse to get rid of female members of their family. And we are speaking of equality, and rights to such people. We are speaking of gender discrimination, we are speaking of women entry in temples such as Sabarimala, we are speaking of women reservation in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. We are speaking of all these when women are sold off to brothel houses in their early childhood itself. We are speaking of women empowerment when those who are supposed to be 'holy' are the perpetuators of the same exploitation. No doubt, the same Manu who speaks of women in a reverential way also said 'na: sthree svathanthryamarhati:' Without correcting this contradiction, we cannot save India.