Why was an unheard-of, Mukesh Ambani-backed institute named on a list of “Institutions of Eminence” by the Indian government on Monday, alongside renowned institutes like Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi and the Birla Institute of Technology in Pilani?

Jio Institute, which was named in the list of six public and private universities to get the Institution of Eminence tag, which gives it autonomy, doesn’t actually exist yet. It is as yet only a proposal from the Ambani family backed Reliance Foundation, but on Monday, it was put on par with five other organisations all of which have much more distinguished histories: IIT- Delhi, IIT- Bombay, Indian Institute of Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education and the Birla Institute of Technology in Pilani.

Later in the day, the Ministry of Human Resource Development attempted to explain the picking of Jio Institute alongside those renowned names, pointing out that it managed to be picked under the greenfield tag – meaning institutes that are still being set up. Yet the choice of the institute, and in particular its business backing, prompted plenty of questions online, not least because of the government’s perceived proximity to major business families.

To Sarkari apologists who say Jio Institute has been placed in the "Greenfield" category, a "Greenfield" university outside Chennai is being helmed by Raghuram Rajan, whose academic qualifications are in inverse proportion to those of the Ambanis. Why not choose that? https://t.co/Jj69ZYOfGl — Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) July 10, 2018

Absolutely astounding! HRD ministry declares a 'yet to be opened' Ambani owned 'Jio Institute' as one of 6 'institutions of eminence', along with IITs & IIMs! Can't imagine a more grotesque joke on the country & a more blatant act of cronyism! https://t.co/34byKhOPwH — Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) July 10, 2018

A simple Google search doesn’t even lead to a dedicated website or a page about Jio Institute. Yet, the institution already boasts of proposing 10 schools covering different streams like arts, humanities, medical sciences and more. The Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries led by Nita Ambani, in its proposal is said to have promised to hire top faculty from global universities and build research centres among other things.

On social media, many questioned this move and Twitter users characteristically managed to find humour in the situation.

Lord Macaulay & Lord Ambani planning to open a Jio Institute in India to increase the literacy amongst Bhakts. (1838) #JioInstitute pic.twitter.com/bGH60JVNIL — History of India (@RealHistoryPic) July 9, 2018

#JioInstitute being India's institute of eminence without existing makes total sense.



Which is the best school of wizardry? Hogwarts right? But muggles cant see that either.



I'm sure its the same with Jio. We're all muggles! — Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) (@sanjivbhatt) July 9, 2018

There are already at least four to five parody accounts of Jio Institute that are using sarcasm to bring out the perception of cronyism that came with the pick. These accounts describe themselves on Twitter as: “Top institute of India. Thank you Narendra Bhai”, “Data is free not education” and “Vikas Graduated from here and First year free.”

Here’s a parody account taking a dig at Sharda University’s tagline and Reliance Jio’s mobile network operator to weigh into the buzz surrounding the yet-to-be-established Jio Institute.

The world is there at Sharda University but thanks to Portability you all can port to Jio Institute. #JioInstitute — Jio lnstitute (@Jiolnstitute) July 9, 2018

Data is Free, Not Education. — Jio lnstitute (@Jiolnstitute) July 9, 2018

At Jio Institute, No desks will be provided to keep students down to earth. This small step will save 10 millions trees every year. pic.twitter.com/mogylX6OOO — Jio lnstitute (@Jiolnstitute) July 10, 2018

Others took the opportunity to make fun of the lack of transparency on the educational qualification of some politicians in the current government. References to ‘entire political science’, one of the subjects on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Masters degree, turned up.

Finally we have an institute that will offer a degree in ENTIRE POLITICAL SCIENCE. #JioInstitute — Aisi Taisi Democracy (@AisiTaisiDemo) July 10, 2018

JIO Institute doesn't even exist, but is a already a centre of excellence...much like the Master's Degree in Entire Political Science.🤔 — Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) (@sanjivbhatt) July 9, 2018

Its not that #JioInstitute doesn't exist..



Its just that we dont have enough data on Jio Institute.



~ @narendramodi — Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) July 9, 2018

The #JioInstitute is the world's first non existent institute of excellence. Founded in 1947 with the tears of Nehru in it's cement. — angry indian peacock (@morgussahai) July 9, 2018