On the IIMs (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is part of the union government’s pronounced higher education transformation agenda to boost transparency and accountability and promote societal inclusivity. The modification to the act has attempted to allow for the harmonisation of the IIM Act with acts regulating the Indian Institutes of Technology and other institutes of national importance. This autonomy and accountability of IIMs have received much attention in the media. Many concerns, ambiguity, and information asymmetry complicate the blueprint. However, contingent upon the viewpoint and its proper context, the 2023 amendment bill might be seen as either making the board accountable or diminishing its autonomy. Let us focus on the significant changes proposed and their possible consequences for running the institution.

The act designates the President as the visitor of every IIM. It would not only empower the President to appoint the chairperson of the Board of Governors (BOG) of each IIM, but allows the federal government to oversee IIMs. The BOG, the principal executive body of the IIMs, governs how the institutions operate regarding academic and non–academic matters. The bill also intends to modify the IIM coordination forum by allowing chairpersons of all IIMs to be ex officio members against four of them by rotation in the existing rules. Besides, the visitor shall choose the chairperson. Nevertheless, the questions are whether the changes were required at all. If yes, why and how will it impact the functioning of the IIMs in terms of administration and academic excellence?