New government to decide on degrees at IIMs

Bill for country’s premier management colleges to be decided on by to-be-formed government

Most administration, faculty members, students and prospective students of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) wait with bated breath for the new Indian central government to be formed post the general elections to be held in April and May. Once the new government is formed, it will decide on a bill put forward in the government to pass an IIM Act which will allow IIMs to give out degrees instead of diplomas.

The IIMs are currently registered as societies under the Societies Registration Act and are not recognised as educational institutes. Due to this, they are not allowed to give out degrees. IIMs, at present, only provide diplomas and certificates. The most popular programmes being the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and the five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM). Unfortunately, the PGDM is not recognised around the world. This causes problems for students looking to pursue further education.

Talks have been held between the IIMs and members of the government to create several drafts of the IIM bill. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has also set up a committee to work on the bill which will be presented before the government post the general elections.