Institutional discrimination refers to the denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups that results from the normal operations of a society's institutions, such as schools, workplaces, healthcare systems, and the legal system, rather than from overt acts of individual prejudice. This form of discrimination is often embedded in established policies, procedures, and practices that may appear neutral on the surface but systematically disadvantage certain groups based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. For example, standardised testing in education that is culturally biased may disproportionately disadvantage students from certain minority groups, limiting their access to higher education. Similarly, hiring practices that rely heavily on personal networks may exclude qualified candidates who lack connections to the dominant group within an industry. Institutional discrimination can be subtle and often unintentional, but its cumulative effect can be significant in perpetuating social inequalities.