HRD Ministry Makes Final Effort for Reservations in Faculty Recruitment at IIMs

The government is making a final effort to urge Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to adopt reservations in the recruitment of faculty. According to the government, it would be beneficial if IIMs adopt faculty reservations before the central legislation granting greater autonomy to these premier management institutes comes into effect. HRD Ministry has written to all the IIMs suggesting recruiting ST, SC and other backward candidates for faculty positions. An official associated with MHRD revealed that the information has been dispatched to all the IIMs few days before the IIM Bill 2017 was presented in Lok Sabha.

Also Read: - Additional Details about IIM Bill 2017, Check Here

The issue regarding reservations in IIMs has been a contentious issue for years. HRD Ministry has been urging IIMs to adopt reservations while the latter were of the opinion that they do not have a mandatory compliance with respect to the same. IIMs also indicated that they had not received any clear direction to adopt reservation. According to sources, it would not be possible for the government to urge IIMs regarding faculty reservations if the IIM Bill comes into effect.

Also Read: - Know more about IIM Bill 2017 Here

IIM Bill 2017 was passed in Lok Sabha on July 28, 2017, while the Rajya Sabha is yet to approve it. Once the Bill gets the nod from Rajya Sabha, it will be tabled before the President of India. IIM Bill 2017 grants autonomy to IIMs in financial, academic and administrative matters. IIMs will also be able to award degrees instead of diplomas. However, IIM Bill 2017 does not have a clause regarding the reservation policy for recruiting teachers. The Bill only indicates ‘’enabling provision allowing reservation in employment’’.