Can We Build New IITs by Just Watching IPL? Rethinking Priorities for India’s Future

Entertainment or Education? It’s time India asked where its real investments should go.

In a compelling insight shared by Prof. Mayank Shrivastava of IISc Bengaluru, one of India’s leading researchers raised a powerful question:

“India doesn’t lack money. Indians don’t lack money. What we lack is the vision to invest in the future.”

This thought invites us to look deeper into how our national wealth is allocated — and more importantly, what we prioritize as a country.

The Stark Numbers Behind IPL vs. Education

Let’s begin with some eye-opening statistics:

IPL 2023 revenue: ₹11,770 crore
BCCI surplus alone: ₹5,120 crore
IPL profits over 3 years: ₹15,000 crore
Estimated Tax Potential (40%): Enough to build at least 10 new IITs
Franchise profits: ₹800–1,200 crore/year
Annual tax potential from franchises: ₹6,000 crore — enough to support research & development

Clearly, the financial capability exists to significantly boost India’s educational and technological infrastructure. But here’s where the irony kicks in.

The Irony: Research Is Taxed, Entertainment Is Not

Despite generating enormous wealth:

BCCI pays no income tax, thanks to its charitable status
Research labs pay GST on critical equipment
Bollywood, religious trusts, and sports leagues continue to enjoy various tax exemptions

Prof. Shrivastava aptly points out:

“Entertainment is subsidised. Research is taxed.”

This skewed policy raises important questions:

Why is a cricket board tax-exempt while educational institutions beg for grants?
Why are microscopes taxed while match tickets are not?
If India aspires to be a global tech powerhouse, is this the best way to allocate funds?

What’s the Cost of Entertainment Over Innovation?

We cheer for every six hit in a stadium.
But who’s cheering for the scientists, teachers, and researchers striving to build India’s future?

No one is questioning the importance of entertainment — it unites, energizes, and entertains. But shouldn’t education, science, and national innovation receive equal — or greater — support?

The Bigger Picture: Income Equality and Nation Building

This conversation isn’t just about cricket or IITs — it’s about prioritizing national growth over glamour.

India’s wealth gap is real. While 1% of the population controls significant wealth, the rest struggle to access quality education, basic income, and healthcare.

What if we redirected a portion of entertainment profits to:

Build new IITs and AIIMS
Fund scholarships for underprivileged students
Upgrade government schools with tech-enabled classrooms
Support innovation, startups, and scientific research

We wouldn’t just be building institutions — we’d be building futures.

Time for a Vision Reset

At Rosemary Career Academy, we believe that education is not just a pathway to success — it’s the foundation of a stronger nation.

We urge policymakers, institutions, and individuals to:

Tax wisely, with the future in mind
Invest in knowledge capital as much as entertainment capital
Support institutions that build human potential

Let’s celebrate both sixes on the field and breakthroughs in the lab.

Conclusion: Be the Cheerleader for Change

India can no longer afford to undervalue its scientific and educational base. The money exists. The talent exists. What’s missing is intent and reallocation of priorities.

So next time you watch an IPL match, remember — we could build an IIT too.