IIT Mandi Denies Association With Anuradha Tiwari, Discredits 'No Reservation' Claim

IIT Mandi has come out with an official statement making it clear that it does not have any connection with Anuradha Tiwari and does not support her assertion about a "no reservation" for a skill-based AI/data science course. The institute underscores that it strictly complies with all norms of reservation of the Government of India and is willing to take "appropriate action against those spreading false or misleading information."

"IIT Mandi has no association with Ms. Anuradha Tiwari and does not endorse her claims on reservation. The institute strictly follows all GoI norms regarding reservation and will take appropriate action against those spreading false or misleading information," IIT Mandi wrote on X.

Based on an admission test requiring a refundable ₹99 fee, Tiwari, a content-marketing entrepreneur, said that IIT Mandi contacted her to cooperate on a nine-month certified AI/data science minor "with merit-based scholarship and no reservation," sparking controversy. She also sent screenshots implying the institute had directed her to incorporate particular language about the lack of reserve on the course poster.

Publically challenged by IIT Mandi, Tiwari welcomed legal action, saying, "I Dare IIT Mandi to sue me if there was any misinformation. Sue me in court for 1 crore–– if you have Guts!"

Furthermore, the founder posted a screenshot of the 'minor in artificial intelligence and data science' course offered by CCE, IIT Mandi, which is still active on the IIT Mandi website, to demonstrate that reservation is not mentioned anywhere and urged the public to verify. "And now IIT Mandi posted they do not endorse my statement on Reservation," Anuradha wrote on X.

Additionally, Anuradha Tiwari is trying to develop skill-based instruction for students in the general category, with the goal of growing a 'self-reliant' open category community, according to her most recent social media post.