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A major outrage erupted at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru after its Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) introduced a stringent new attendance and parking policy. The department claims the move aims to bring “transparency, discipline, and accountability”, but students have strongly opposed it, calling the system “oppressive, unrealistic, and damaging to mental health”. The policy, which has been implemented this month, sets minimum working hours for staff, MTech, and PhD scholars. According to the department’s circular, permanent and contractual staff must log 40 working hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). MTech and first-year PhD students are required to spend at least 50 hours weekly on campus, while senior PhD scholars are expected to match their supervisors’ working hours, often ranging between 70-80 hours a week. Further, those using central research facilities such as the National Nanofabrication Centre (NNFC), Micro and Nano Characterisation Facility (MNCF), or IISc Microscopy Facility must separately record their time spent there. The department has also mandated documentation for students wishing to work from home, citing medical or personal reasons. In an internal communication, Department Head Professor Mayank Srivastava defended the move, asserting that it was “not about strictness but about fostering responsibility”. He described the system as “flexible, transparent, and fair”, claiming it would enhance security and overall efficiency. However, students have sharply disagreed. Several research scholars said the new norms ignore the mental health realities of postgraduate life and could create an atmosphere of constant pressure. The mandatory attendance monitoring through RFID cards and facial recognition has also triggered widespread anger. Students have likened it to “spy-like surveillance” and accused the administration of discrimination, arguing that faculty members are exempt from such tracking. “This is not surveillance, but a sign of distrust,” said a student, adding that the move “reflects how students and staff are treated as subordinates rather than collaborators”. In their petition to the IISc Director, the students described the policy as a blow to both mental health and academic freedom. Students argue that strict attendance hours undermine curiosity-driven research, where progress often depends on independent thought rather than rigid schedules. They also alleged that the policy introduced a “corporate culture” into academia, where “clocking hours” is valued more than innovation or discovery. The petition urged the director to immediately revoke the system and ensure that no department adopts “surveillance-based” policies in the future.
