Prof. Ramdas Rupavath from the Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad (UoH) got recognition at the 39th Edition of the World School Summit x Cluster of Achievers (COA). The awards ceremony took place from 19th to 20th July 2026 across two iconic venues: the University of Oxford and the House of Lords, London, U.K.

The global honour recognizes Prof. Rupavath’s pioneering conceptualization of the “Theory from Below” (or Perspective from Below)—a critical subaltern framework that redefines democracy, education, and development through the lived experiences of India’s most marginalized and Adivasi communities.

Understanding the “Theory from Below”

Prof. Rupavath’s framework directly challenges traditional, top-down political and economic models. Instead of viewing development as an external intervention imposed by state or corporate bodies, the Theory from Below posits that true social justice and democratic development must originate from grassroots realities and the sovereign agency of oppressed communities.

Core Pillars of the Framework

  • Critique of “Development from Above”: Top-down models often treat marginalized territories as empty or incomplete zones, leading to systemic dispossession, land alienation, and displacement through large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects.
  • Epistemology of Lived Experience: Valid social and political analysis must start at the bottom. Lived experiences, oral traditions, and local knowledge systems are inherently complete (Purnam) and self-sustaining, requiring no external engineering.
  • Decolonizing Education: Drawing on critical pedagogy, the theory critiques rigid schooling systems that operate on a “banking concept” of education. Mainstream policies often lead to high dropout rates among tribal students due to cultural and linguistic exclusion. True education must be culturally sensitive, tech-inclusive, and decolonized to serve as an instrument of self-determination.
  • Reforming Governance & Sovereignty: The framework calls for an inversion of traditional power dynamics, shifting indigenous governance structures (such as Gram Sabhas) from passive welfare recipients to active, sovereign partners in state power.

The World School Summit x Cluster of Achievers serves as an international platform connecting global leaders, scholars, and innovators shaping future policy and education. The University of Hyderabad community warmheartedly congratulates Prof. Ramdas Rupavath on this international honour and his continued contributions to transformative political theory!

For any further information on “Theory from Below” may kindly email to: ramhcu@gmail.com