Parliament Passes Bill To Establish IIM In Guwahati, Admissions To Start This Year
The country's 22nd Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will be established in Guwahati, with an investment of Rs 555 crore. The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was approved by Parliament on Wednesday, allowing the new institution to start admitting students from this academic year, according to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Rajya Sabha passed the bill with a voice vote despite an opposition walkout. The Lok Sabha had already cleared the bill on Tuesday. Following approval from both Houses, the bill will now go for Presidential assent. Assam is set to hold elections early next year.
Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned that the establishment of IIM-Guwahati will contribute to India's goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy. This will be the ninth IIM set up since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. The minister highlighted that from 1961 to 2014, only 13 IIMs were established, whereas the number of students has significantly increased from 3,500 in 2013-14 to 9,800 in 2024-25.
In 2017, a historic decision allowed IIMs to award degrees instead of PG Diplomas. Pradhan emphasized that IIMs have become institutions of national importance. IIM Guwahati will function similarly to a university upon its establishment.
The minister criticised the Congress government under Manmohan Singh for ignoring Assam during 2004-14. He mentioned that foreign universities are preparing to open campuses in India, and two IITs have recently opened abroad in Abu Dhabi and Africa. IIM-Ahmedabad is renowned for producing unicorns.
The establishment of IIM-Guwahati is part of a special development package for Assam. Currently, there are 21 IIMs designated as institutions of national importance.
During the debate, members like Goll Baburao (YSRCP), Niranjan Bishi (BJD), and M Thambidurai (AIADMK) voiced concerns about vacant faculty posts and rising student suicides. Bishi requested more IIMs in Odisha and urged measures to fill 500 vacant faculty positions and stop ragging in IIMs and IITs. Thambidurai called for an investigation into vacant vice-chancellor posts in Tamil Nadu universities.
Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP) expressed that the Congress ignored Assam's demands and that the new IIM would benefit the entire Northeast. He requested priority admission for Northeast students at IIM-Guwahati. Praful Patel (NCP) welcomed the bill, noting the importance of spreading education across the country.
K Laxman (BJP) pointed out that only one IIM was set up during the UPA regime, while nine were established under Modi's administration. He highlighted the need for an IIM in Telangana. Geetha (BJP) supported the bill, noting that Assam students will no longer need to travel for education. Ravichandra Vaddiraju (BRS) and Kanad Purkayastha (BJP) spoke about the benefits for youth and startups. Naresh Bansal (BJP), Rambhai Harjibhai Mokariya (BJP), and Ramji (BSP) also participated in the debate.
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