Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad has announced the introduction of a reservation policy for its PhD admissions, breaking away from its previous practice of not offering quotas in its doctoral programs. This move aligns the prestigious institution with government guidelines, marking the first time in over 50 years that it will reserve seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and persons with disabilities in its Fellow Programme in Management (FPM).
The change was communicated via an online statement confirming that “Govt of India guidelines for reservation are followed during admissions.” Despite being one of India’s leading business schools since its inception in 1971, IIM Ahmedabad had not implemented reservations in its PhD programs. This decision comes after years of activism and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Global IIM Alumni Network in 2021, urging the institution to comply with constitutional mandates.
While several other IIMs had already adopted reservation policies for their doctoral programs, IIM Ahmedabad stood apart. The PIL highlighted this gap, asserting that the institute’s policies were in violation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act and University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. In response, IIM Ahmedabad filed an affidavit in October 2023, committing to implement the policy starting with its 2025 intake.
The introduction of reservations at IIM Ahmedabad has been widely seen as a major victory for social justice activists who have been pushing for more inclusive policies at premier institutions. Activists such as Anil Wagde, Suraj Yengde, and Arun Khobragade had initiated their campaign in 2017, after initial discussions with former IIM-A director, Errol D’Souza. Reflecting on their journey, Wagde, an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, remarked, “At the time, they had no quantification of how many from these classes made it to IIM-A. You cannot control what you cannot measure.”
For many, this shift is more than just an institutional policy change—it’s a reflection of broader efforts to ensure that educational opportunities at India’s top institutions are accessible to historically marginalized communities. Wagde expressed his satisfaction with the decision, calling it a significant achievement, but he also noted the importance of ensuring the policy’s proper implementation. “We hope IIM-A keeps its word. We will monitor the process and will seek details of the admission once the process is complete.”
As of now, specific details about how the reservation system will be implemented are still awaited. However, the announcement has already generated widespread support and optimism, signaling a positive step toward a more equitable future in India’s educational landscape.
