As the debate of right versus left grows in the academia, the right wing think tank is feeling the need to encourage its volunteers to attain excellence in higher education.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the right wing which till a few years back wanted its cadre to invest in expanding the work of the organization and engage in connecting with the masses, is encouraging its young volunteers to look beyond a basis graduation degree and aspire for premium institutions for pursuing higher education courses.

Arvind (name changed) has been working as an advisor to the government with a ministry. He directly deals with the affairs of the ministry and works in close coordination with the minister.

He is as RSS volunteer since his days at high school. He was appointed in the government after the BJP came to power in 2014.

Arvind has completed his masters degree in sociology. Though his hands are full, he has now been asked to enroll himself in a PhD program. "My mentor called upon me to complete my PhD. I am now preparing to appear for the entrance exam," he said.

Like Arvind several other volunteers are now being encouraged to enter academia. The decision to build up an academic cadre was taken about three years ago. But the initiative gathered pace after the BJP came to power in the centre. "There were over 200 academic positions that were to be filled up and we are having a difficult time to identify the right people for these positions. That was the real eye opener for us," said an RSS functionary.

The RSS is yet to get its cadre appointed to fill positions in the ministries of human resource, science and technology and culture.

Also with the left wing ideologues dominating the academia, the RSS is now feeling the need to strengthen its troops. Sangh insiders say that the organizations needs to strengthen its network of historians and social scientists to counter the left.

Many who were deprived of the opportunity in earlier days, feel it is welcomed step. A senior scientist and associated with Vijnana Bharti said, "After completing my MSc, I wanted to study further. But I was told by my mentor to start working as a pracharak."

But not anymore. The young volunteers and pracharaks are now encouraged to aspire for institutions like IITs and IIMs. The sangh is of the view that besides obtaining a degree these volunteers will carry on the activity of the Sangh on campus. "We hold daily or weekly shakhas in these institutions. Our volunteers who will studying in these institutions will carry on the activity of the organisation along with academics. This will also help us to spread the idea of our organization amongst the students," said a senior Sangh functionary.

"As a practice, our volunteers are asked to identify their area of interest and pursue higher education," said Manohar Vaidya, RSS spokesperson. Vaidya also added that unlike earlier days, all young volunteers are encouraged to complete college and those with potential and interest are guided to study further.