Perception of Incivility in Higher Education Institutions: A Review

Abstract

This paper critically examines incivility in Indian higher education, demonstrating that it is more than mere rudeness; it reflects deeper cultural and structural tensions. Drawing on both student and faculty perspectives, the paper traces the evolution of incivility since the 1990s and explores its varied manifestations across disciplines and groups. Incivility includes disrespect, misuse of authority, exclusion, and subtle microaggressions, all of which weaken trust, erode academic relationships, and disrupt teaching and learning.

In India, everyday acts of incivility are tied to systemic issues, including postcolonial language hierarchies, the dominance of English, and caste-based discrimination. These factors create hostile and unequal campus climates, significantly affecting the academic success, mental health, and sense of belonging of marginalised students. Recent research also links incivility to educator burnout, student stress, and challenges posed by the digital era.

The paper argues that interventions must go beyond enforcing politeness or codes of conduct. It advocates for transformative pedagogical practices and policy reforms that promote dignity, inclusion, and accountability, making higher education truly equitable and humane.