Globally higher education is regarded as instrumental in shaping individual and societal aspirations. For an individual education beyond secondary education is key to higher social esteem, intellectual stimulation and thus expanding horizons of life options. For the society higher education is instrumental in advancement of technology, productivity, and other elements of economic growth in an international competitive market. It is believed to play a major role towards achievement of social justice, equal opportunity and democracy.1 In India, higher education is considered to be more equitable in terms access and is also subsidized by the government in comparison to primary and secondary education.2 But the reality is quite opposite; there has been a persistent educational inequity due to the shrinking opportunities.3 A stronger and more legitimate higher education system can be formed by enabling persons from all backgrounds to find representation in universities.4 The Constitution of India also mandates the restoration of educational opportunities to all its citizens. Educational opportunities are the opportunities that enable the individuals to acquire knowledge and skills thus leading to the cultivation of certain capacities. The goals of the educational opportunities are closely linked to access to educational institutions such as higher educational universities.5 This article will reflect on the need of diversity in higher education system in light of affirmative action policies in India

Keywords: Higher education; Affirmative actions; Diversity; Social discrimination; Equality of opportunity; Reservation.