'Willing To Provide Reservations In PhD Programmes': IIM Ahmedabad Informs Gujarat High Court After Initial Resistance

In a recent development, the Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has informed the Gujarat High Court of its willingness to provide reservations for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates in its PhD program, reversing its earlier stance.A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the alumni association of IIM – Global IIM Alumni Network in 2021, seeking a directive for IIM-A to incorporate reservations in its PhD programs.In an affidavit filed on November 10, 2022, on behalf of IIM-A, it was initially argued that the PhD programs at IIM-A differ from regular university programs, where fixed seats are allocated based on standardized tests.However, the recent affidavit, submitted through the chief administrative officer, Colonel Amit Verma, revealed a shift in IIM-A's position. "An internal committee consisting of faculty members is being formed at IIMA to work out a methodology for providing reservations. Considering the peculiar circumstances and the long-prevailing practice where on an average 2 to 3 students are admitted in each area of Ph.D. programmes, the Committee is facing an uphill task to provide a proper methodology. It is the endeavour of IIMA that while providing reservation, there is no discrimination to anybody," the affidavit informed.The affidavit explained that the committee faces a challenging task in designing an appropriate methodology due to the peculiar circumstances of the PhD programs at IIM-A. These programs typically admit only 2 to 3 students in each area of study. IIM-A, however, aims to ensure that reservations are implemented without any form of discrimination.The affidavit also said that the development of a suitable methodology may take some time but reiterated IIM-A's commitment to providing reservations in its Ph.D. programs.During the hearing of the case, when the court sought additional information regarding IIM-A's recent decision, a week's extension was sought by the petitioner’s counsel to consult with the client and furnish a comprehensive response. The court has accordingly scheduled the next hearing for October 19, awaiting further developments in this matter.Case Title: Global IIM Alumni Network vs. Union of India Case No. Writ Petition (PIL) No. 130 of 2021

'Willing To Provide Reservations In PhD Programmes': IIM Ahmedabad Informs Gujarat High Court After Initial Resistance

Bhavya Singh

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