The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad has announced the introduction of a reservation policy for its PhD admissions, effective from the 2025 academic year. This decision marks a significant change in the institute’s approach, as it has not provided reservations for under-represented communities in its PhD programme since its inception in 1971.
According to the PhD Admission 2025 information brochure, this year’s intake will align with the government’s reservation guidelines. The premier business school will now reserve seats for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and persons with disabilities within its doctoral programme.
The introduction of this reservation policy follows IIM Ahmedabad’s commitment to the Gujarat High Court, where it assured that reservations for PhD admissions would begin in 2025. This change is seen as a response to the growing demand for greater inclusivity within higher education institutions.
The decision to implement reservations comes in the wake of public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Global IIM Alumni Network in the Gujarat High Court. The PIL sought to enforce reservations in IIM Ahmedabad’s PhD programmes, arguing that the lack of such provisions violated constitutional rights, the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act (CERA), and University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
In response to the PIL, IIM Ahmedabad stated orally that it would begin implementing reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and disabled candidates starting in 2025. The CERA Act mandates that central educational institutions reserve 15% of seats for SC candidates, 7.5% for ST candidates, and 27% for OBC candidates. This move aligns IIM Ahmedabad with the broader educational policies aimed at promoting equity and diversity in academic institutions.
Applicants aspiring to join IIM Ahmedabad’s PhD programme will still be required to take the Common Admission Test (CAT) or an equivalent standardised test. The introduction of reservations is expected to create more opportunities for candidates from historically under-represented groups, thereby enriching the academic environment of the institute.
IIM Ahmedabad’s decision to implement a reservation policy is a significant step towards inclusivity in higher education. By actively working to diversify its PhD admissions, the institute is responding to long-standing calls for greater representation of marginalized communities in academic programmes.
The move is also indicative of a broader trend within Indian higher education, where institutions are increasingly recognising the importance of equity in admissions. This policy shift is expected to enhance the diversity of perspectives within the PhD programme, ultimately benefiting both the academic community and society at large.
In addition, a recent report from IIM Ahmedabad indicates that 32.25% of women across the nation achieve a satisfactory work-life balance, reflecting ongoing discussions about gender equity in the workplace.
Overall, IIM Ahmedabad’s introduction of a reservation policy for its PhD programme is a landmark decision that aims to foster a more inclusive academic environment.