IIM Ahmedabad Introduces Reservation In PhD Admissions From 2025

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) will implement reservation in PhD admissions from 2025, the institute stated in the application clause. Of all 20 IIMs, IIM Ahmedabad was one of the institutes that had not implemented reservation.

In the application process that was invited last week, IIMA said to follow the ‘Government of India guidelines for reservation’ during the admission process.

In 2021, Anil Wagde, a Global IIM Alumni Network member moved to Gujarat High Court asking for the implementation of reservation in IIM Ahmedabad’s PhD programmes. The petition submitted that the exclusion of reservation in the PhD programs in IIMA amounts to a ‘gross violation’ of constitutional provisions, the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, and the University Grants Commission’s norms. It stated that at least 15 of the 20 IIMs offer reservations in similar programs.

IIMA later submitted to the Gujarat High Court that it would implement reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and disabled candidates in doctoral programs in the academic year starting from 2025.

Earlier, IIMA stated on oath that the institute had voluntarily taken a decision to provide for reservation in the PhD program but not specified a timeline to implement the decision.

Reportedly, the activists who initiated the process called it a significant victory and emphasized monitoring the process and seeking details of the admission once the process is complete.