I have read the article and disagree with his facts that he quality of contestants are inferior.
We have to see that the number of formats the show keeps on increasing, (EG-II1, II2, II3, II4 and now II5), each successive season is sure to get better talent year after year. Thats because many people who are serious about coming and participating in these shows are aware of the pros and cons, read pluses and flaws and try to avoid them by learning more. So, experience counts.
Lets take this from my POV:
Since I am a part of the automobile industry, let me share something similar:
When a manufacturer launches any product, the first lots ought to have flaws, that is far from being perfect. Yes, customers buy it but as subsequent years pass by, improvements are carried out based on early user/customer feedback and subsequent products that roll out feel far better in overall quality and feel as compared to product that rolled out first.
Similarly, the contestants that came on Indian Idol 1, were first and that format was completely new to them and hence, despite many flaws, were overlooked. As its editions progressed, contestants coming in later editions were actually more aware about the quality of music and judges expectations than the one who auditioned for the earlier parts.
So its obvious that as the editions progress, talents keep getting better but that doesn't mean that singers in previous editions of Indian idol were not up to the mark. Yes, there were some below average singers, but there were some genuinely good singers too. Just hope that this time singers give their best.
And I am awaiting the initial TRP ratings of II 5 especially after all those audition rounds which were akin to comedy stuff.