Parliament Passes Bill to Establish IIM Guwahati as India’s 22nd IIM

Parliament has passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha giving its approval today.

The Bill, introduced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, amends the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017, to pave the way for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Guwahati, Assam.

Positioned as a vital centre in the North-Eastern region, the institute is expected to strengthen educational opportunities and drive regional development.

Prime Minister Modi Welcomes the Move

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision, noting that the new IIM in Assam will boost education infrastructure in the region and attract students and researchers from across India.

Sharing Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s social media post on the Bill’s passage, Mr. Modi congratulated the people of Assam and highlighted the government’s focus on balanced development.

Government’s Commitment to Educational Growth

Replying to the debate on the Bill, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating new institutions and expanding opportunities for students nationwide.

He recalled that the Modi government granted the status of “Institutes of National Importance” to IIMs, elevating their role in higher education.

Mr. Pradhan contrasted the present with 2013, when only 3,500 students were enrolled in IIMs. By 2024–25, this number has grown to 9,800, reflecting significant expansion under the current government.

He criticized the Congress-led UPA government for neglecting Assam and stressed that the Modi administration prioritizes equitable development across regions.

IIMs as a Global Educational Brand

The minister emphasized that 21 IIMs are currently operational in India, and they have become recognized brands in the education sector, both nationally and internationally.

Under the Amendment Bill, IIM Guwahati will receive a corpus fund of ₹555 crore, with admissions scheduled to commence from the current academic year.

Highlighting the government’s focus on the North-East, Mr. Pradhan said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working for the youth of the North East.” He further added that in the past eleven years, nine new IIMs had been established, underscoring the government’s consistent efforts to strengthen higher education.

Parliamentary Discussion on the Bill

Several members of Parliament expressed their views during the discussion. Geeta alias Chandraprabha of the BJP praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, stating that the number of IITs, IIMs, and medical colleges in the country had doubled in the last eleven years.

She noted that the Indian education system had achieved remarkable progress, with 46 institutions included in global university rankings this year compared to only nine a decade ago.

Golla Baburao of the YSR Congress Party highlighted that the Bill seeks to provide greater autonomy to IIMs in administrative, academic, and financial matters.

He pointed out that with the new institute in Guwahati, the total number of IIMs will reach 22. Other members, including Praful Patel of the NCP, Dr. M. Thambidurai of the AIADMK, and Niranjan Bishi of the BJD, also contributed to the debate.

Passage of the Bill in Both Houses

The Rajya Sabha approved the IIM (Amendment) Bill after a brief discussion. The Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill earlier this week.

The legislation was passed in the absence of Opposition members, who boycotted the debate, demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Proceedings in the House also faced disruptions on Wednesday morning.

Following its passage in both Houses, the Bill will now be sent for Presidential assent. The Union government has committed ₹555 crore to set up the new institute, with admissions set to begin in the ongoing academic year.

A Step Towards India’s Economic Aspirations

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the new IIM in Guwahati would contribute significantly towards India’s goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

He highlighted the growth trajectory of IIMs in the country: “From 1961, IIMs are functioning in the country. From 1961 to 2014, in the span of 53 years, successive governments could create only 13 IIMs. In the last eleven years, nine new IIMs have been opened.”

He further added, “In 2013-14, across all 13 IIMs, the number of students was 3,500. Today, the number of students in 2024-25 is 9,800, which shows the commitment of our government towards creating new institutions and giving an opportunity to many students in our country.”

The passage of this Bill marks another milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its higher education ecosystem while ensuring regional inclusivity.