New Delhi, Mar 17: With a more lenient stand from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) may move in the direction of awarding degrees for their one year post graduate management programmes. At present, the University Grants Commission does not allow the award of degrees for any one year courses. However, the leading IIMs are said to be working on the matter with IIM Ahmedabad all set to take up the proposal in its board meeting. As reported by the Economic Times (ET), the board of governors of IIM Bangalore have already approved the plan. IIM Calcutta is also in final stage discussions with the government the take the proposal forward.
Board members approve proposal at IIM-B, IIM-A to take up the proposal in its board meeting
It was mentioned in the ET report that 14 members had approved the proposal of granting degrees instead of diplomas for the one year executive programme in management. The meeting of the board of governors had a representative from the Ministry of HRD who had reminded the board that as per UGC regulations, degrees cannot be awarded for one year courses. IIM Bangalore has not made any official statement on the matter.
At IIM Calcutta, the plan has been discussed in its board meeting and the institute is in consultations with MHRD to take it further. The Ministry had once again pointed out the UGC regulations relevant to the matter. Prashant Mishra, acting Director and Dean (New Initiative and External Relations) at IIM Calcutta stated that the board had approved degree status for the two year post graduate programme and doctoral programme. The discussions are going on with the Ministry on the question of degree status for the one year programme and the final decision would be taken in this regard once they receive adequate clarification from the government.
UGC does not approve degrees for one year courses but IIM Act 2017 authorises the institutes to take their own decision
The regulations applicable to one year programmes had been communicated by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar to all IIMs in March 2018. The IIMs had requested the Ministry to reconsider its position in December 2018. Although, the Ministry of HRD has specified on record that UGC regulations do not approve degrees for one year courses, but it has also been made clear that the IIM Act 2017 empowers all IIMs to take their own decisions.