The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for the establishment of a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Guwahati, Assam. The Union government has announced Rs 550 crore in capital support for the project, marking a significant boost for higher education and management studies in the North-East.
This will be the 22nd IIM in India and the second IIM in the North-East, after IIM Shillong.
IIM Guwahati: A Step Towards Regional Growth
The bill, introduced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, was passed through a voice vote amid Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Following its passage, the House was adjourned for the day.
According to the draft law, the establishment of IIM Guwahati is part of the Special Development Package (SDP) provided to Assam. The Centre, the Assam government, and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) had earlier signed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) for the state’s comprehensive development, which included setting up the new management institute.
22nd IIM in India, 2nd in the Northeast
Currently, there are 21 IIMs in India, all declared as institutions of national importance under the IIM Act. With this bill, IIM Guwahati will become the 22nd IIM and the second in the North-East, after IIM Shillong.
The Assam government had requested the establishment of an IIM in Guwahati, citing its strategic location and developmental needs. The presence of such a premier institution is expected to strengthen the academic ecosystem of the state, which already hosts IIT Guwahati, AIIMS Guwahati, and the National Law University Assam.
Governance and Transitional Provisions
The bill specifies that until the first Board of Governors of IIM Guwahati is formally constituted, all powers and functions will be exercised by individuals appointed by the central government. Once established, IIM Guwahati will function as an autonomous institution of national importance, with the ability to grant degrees, diplomas, and other academic distinctions.
Boosting Education and Employment in the Northeast
The creation of IIM Guwahati is expected to provide students from Assam and the wider North Eastern Region (NER) with world-class management education and opportunities to develop advanced leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
According to the bill’s statement of purpose, the institute will not only promote quality higher education but also contribute to regional growth, employment generation, and industrial development. The move reflects the government’s intent to ensure balanced educational opportunities across India, especially in regions that have historically faced developmental challenges.
With the passage of the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the government has taken a significant step toward strengthening management education in the North-East. The establishment of IIM Guwahati with Rs 550 crore in capital support underscores the Centre’s commitment to inclusive development and providing global-standard academic opportunities to students in the region.
Once operational, IIM Guwahati will join the ranks of India’s premier management institutions, playing a vital role in nurturing the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs from the North-East and beyond.
