Affirmative Action in Education: Evidence from Engineering College Admissions in India

49 Pages Posted: 11 Apr 2008 Last revised: 22 Jul 2022

See all articles by Marianne Bertrand

Marianne Bertrand

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Rema Hanna

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Sendhil Mullainathan

University of Chicago; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: April 2008

Abstract

Many countries mandate affirmative action in university admissions for traditionally disadvantaged groups. Little is known about either the efficacy or costs of these programs. This paper examines affirmative action in engineering colleges in India for "lower-caste" groups. We find that it successfully targets the financially disadvantaged: the marginal upper-caste applicant comes from a more advantaged background than the marginal lower-caste applicant who displaces him. Despite much lower entrance exam scores, the marginal lower-caste entrant does benefit: we find a strong, positive economic return to admission. These findings contradict common arguments against affirmative action: that it is only relevant for richer lower-caste members, or that those who are admitted are too unprepared to benefit from the education. However, these benefits come at a cost. Our point estimates suggest that the marginal upper-caste entrant enjoys nearly twice the earnings level gain as the marginal lower-caste entrant. This finding illustrates the program's redistributive nature: it benefits the poor, but costs resources in absolute terms. One reason for this lower level gain is that a smaller fraction of lower-caste admits end up employed in engineering or advanced technical jobs. Finally, we find no evidence that the marginal upper-caste applicant who is rejected due to the policy ends up with more negative attitudes towards lower castes or towards affirmative action programs. On the other hand, there is some weak evidence that the marginal lower-caste admits become stronger supporters of affirmative action programs.

Suggested Citation

Bertrand, Marianne and Hanna, Rema and Mullainathan, Sendhil, Affirmative Action in Education: Evidence from Engineering College Admissions in India (April 2008). NBER Working Paper No. w13926, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1119217

Marianne Bertrand (Contact Author)

University of Chicago - Booth School of Business ( email )

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

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Rema Hanna

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

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Sendhil Mullainathan

University of Chicago ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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