Lok Sabha Approves Bill for New IIM in Guwahati

Rapid Summary

• The Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on August 19, 2025.
• The Bill facilitates the establishment of IIM Guwahati, which will be the second IIM in northeastern India after IIM Shillong.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra pradhan allocated ₹550 crore for establishing the institute and cited it as a long-standing demand from people in the region.
• The Bill was passed without discussion amid Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
• India currently has 21 operational iims, and expansion plans include opening an IIM Dubai campus next month to meet international demand for Indian management education institutions.
• Establishing IIM Guwahati is part of a Special development Package provided under a Memorandum of Settlement signed by Union and Assam governments with ULFA representatives to aid Assam’s extensive development.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The passing of this legislation marks a notable step toward addressing regional imbalances in access to premier educational institutions within India. Setting up an additional IIM in northeastern India highlights ongoing efforts to integrate historically underserved regions into India’s higher education landscape while boosting employment and economic opportunities locally.

Internationally, expanding India’s reputed “IIM brand” through campuses such as one opening imminently in Dubai may enhance India’s soft power influence globally while meeting foreign demand for recognized management expertise.Though,passing the Amendment without parliamentary debate due to unrelated political tensions-such as protests surrounding electoral roll revision-may raise concerns regarding procedural transparency during legislative processes. Ensuring robust dialog on bills affecting national priorities remains vital for balanced governance moving forward.

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