Process to enable IIMs grant degrees begins

A Council can be established, as is the case with the IITs, which would be the highest common decision-making authority

The government and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have begun the process of drafting a Bill that would empower these premier institutions to grant degrees.

As of now, the IIMs only grant diplomas to students though these diplomas are globally acclaimed.

The IIMs were started through an executive order and are not governed under any law.

Hence they cannot grant degrees for which there has been a huge demand.

Last week HRD Ministry officials and the IIM Directors discussed the proposed Indian Institutes of Management Bill, which is based on the lines of the Indian Institutes of Technology Bill, governing the Indian Institutes of Technology.

The draft also has the provision of establishing a Council as is the case with the IITs that would be the highest common decision making authority for all IIMs which are publicly funded institutions. However, some IIMs have expressed their reservations over the issue, fearing it would reduce their autonomy.

“We have just discussed the broad contours of the proposed Bill but what final shape it takes cannot be said,” an official told The Hindu .

The next meeting will be held in Bangalore when the IIMs meet to discuss the Common Admission Test.