Dear Sir/Madam, My name is Dr. Vaibhav Wasnik. I had applied for the position of an Assitant Professor in the department of Biosciences in IIT Bombay. However, I was told that my application would not be considered. I belong to the SC/ST category and as part of my application I had included my caste certificate with the application. I have a BTech from IIT Bombay in Engineering Physics along with a PhD in Physics from University of Arizona, with 5 years of postdoctoral experience from Clark University, Simon Fraser University and Saarland University where I am still working as a postdoctoral researcher. In addition to this I have 7 publications in International Peer reviewed journals. Attached below is also my CV that was included with my application which states my qualifi- cations. IITs have been notorious in suggesting that they do not fill the faculty posts for SC/STs because of not finding qualified applicants. Considering my background I do not see how my application could anyhow me understood as not meeting appropriate qualifying standards. The response that I received from the head of the biosciences Dr Manchanda (which I also attached in the supporting document) states that my application does not lack strength but supposedly my application does not meet the needs of the department, which again does not make sense since SC/ST positions have not been filled in the department. It is hence I would like to know all information related to the processing of my application in the Department of Biosciences and the actual criteria on the basis of which my application was rejected. Sincerely, Vaibhav Wasnik