The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, through a voice vote, without any discussion, paving the way for IIM Guwahati to be recognised as an institute of national importance. The House was repeatedly adjourned amid disruptions before the Bill was finally passed.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the legislation, which seeks to include IIM Guwahati under the IIM Act of 2017. The move follows a Memorandum of Settlement signed between the Centre, the Assam government, and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) aimed at accelerating development in the region.
The Bill provides a corpus fund of Rs 555 crore over five years, from 2025-26 to 2029-30, after which the institute is expected to be financially self-sustaining through its internal accruals. “After five years, no additional support shall be extended to the Institute since it shall be generating enough revenue on its own,” the legislation states.
The abrupt passage of the Bill drew criticism from Opposition members, who were protesting over unrelated issues, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Despite objections, BJP MP Dilip Saikia oversaw the voice vote, remarking, “The state of Assam will have an IIM and you are saying no,” before declaring the Bill passed.
With the inclusion of IIM Guwahati, the total number of IIMs designated as institutes of national importance rises to 22. The new institute will operate under the mentorship of IIM Ahmedabad, with classes expected to begin this year from a temporary campus. A permanent campus is planned at Palasbari in Kamrup district.
-IANS