Less than 200 teachers from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) currently fill 1,880 sanctioned faculty positions across 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This represents a severe underrepresentation, falling far below mandated reservation levels. Data presented to a parliamentary standing committee on education reveals the disparity, despite IIMs claiming implementation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019.
Widespread Faculty Shortfall
Public data shows only 62 SC, 16 ST, and 109 OBC teachers are employed across all 21 IIMs. Their representation stands at 3.2% for SC, 0.85% for ST, and 5.8% for OBC. These figures remain significantly lower than the reservation quotas prescribed by law.
Earlier this year, the Union Education Ministry directed IIMs to enforce reservation policies and warned of potential action for non-compliance. Most IIMs have not responded to inquiries regarding their reservation implementation.
Challenges Cited by IIMs
IIM Kozhikode provided data and cited challenges in filling reserved faculty positions. These include a limited pool of qualified candidates, particularly those with doctoral degrees. Additionally, potential applicants often prefer positions in metropolitan cities, impacting recruitment in other locations.
Sebastian MP, Dean of Faculty Administration and Development at IIM Kozhikode, stated the institute is committed to reservation policy. He outlined sustained efforts, including continuous recruitment and special drives through national advertisements. However, 21 of 33 sanctioned reserved posts at IIM Kozhikode remain vacant.
IIM Kozhikode: Reserved Faculty Positions
| Category | Sanctioned Strength | In Position |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 10 | 2 |
| ST | 5 | 1 |
| OBC | 18 | 9 |
First-Generation IIMs Data
Among older IIMs, IIM Ahmedabad did not provide a specific category-wise breakdown (SC, ST, OBC) to the parliamentary panel. The table below shows reserved faculty representation at leading IIMs earlier this year.
SC, ST, OBC Teachers in First-Generation IIMs
| Institute | Total Posts | SC | ST | OBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcutta | 126 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Ahmedabad | 120 | 103 (Total SC, ST, OBC) | ||
| Bangalore | 120 | 5 | 1 | 10 |
| Lucknow | 103 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Indore | 150 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Kozhikode | 128 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Shillong | 46 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
Newer IIMs Faculty Numbers
Filling posts for tribal communities poses a significant challenge for many institutes. However, newer IIMs like Bodh Gaya and Jammu show comparatively better success in attracting reserved category candidates. IIM Jammu leads all other IIMs with 10 SC faculty members.
SC, ST, OBC Teachers at Newer IIMs
| Institute | Total Posts | SC | ST | OBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raipur | 80 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Ranchi | 91 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Rohtak | 46 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Kashipur | 64 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| Tiruchirapalli | 94 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Udaipur | 60 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Bodh Gaya | 144 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| Nagpur | 60 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Sambalpur | 66 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Sirmaur | 53 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Vishakapatnam | 72 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Jammu | 62 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Mumbai | 130 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Amritsar | 65 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Underlying Issues and Past Opposition
The shortage of reserved category faculty is linked to historical exclusion from advanced education, particularly doctoral programs. A retired IIM Lucknow professor noted that eligible candidates often pursue higher salaries at foreign institutions. IIMs have previously opposed faculty reservations, citing concerns about compromising quality. Right to Information (RTI) data from the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) shows over 90% of IIM and IIT faculty are from upper castes. AIOBCSA demands an independent review of recruitment processes.
Government’s Stance and Actions
The issue of vacant reserved faculty positions has been raised multiple times in Parliament. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has offered inconsistent responses. In March 2025, he stated that filling vacancies is a continuous process and that IIMs were directed to undertake special recruitment drives starting September 2022. However, in another reply, Pradhan clarified that recruitment powers rest with IIMs’ Boards of Governors, with no active Ministry role.
Despite these varied statements, the government introduced and passed the IIM Amendment Bill 2023. This bill aims to ensure IIMs adhere to constitutional obligations, including reservation policies.