The government raises the retirement age of IIM directors from 65 to 70

The retirement age for IIM directors has been raised from 65 to 70 years, and the age limit for applicants has been removed.

A provision in the original IIM rules that stated: "The age of the applicant for the post of director shall not be more than 60 years as on the first day of January of the year of advertisement for the post" has been removed by an education ministry notification.

Following recommendations from a committee, the education ministry formally proposed it in 2018. Apart from institutional stability, it was pointed out that, because IIT directors can serve for up to 70 years, parity should be sought for all national institutions. Vice-chancellors of central universities can work until they are 70 years old.

The Department of Personnel & Training did not accede to the ministry’s request at the time, although the issue has been debated since 2014-15.

IIM directors, who are normally appointed for five years, will serve until they reach the age of 70, whichever comes first, according to the announcement.

The retirement age for IIM directors should be brought in line with that of IIT directors and central university vice-chancellors, who can work until they are 70 years old. Applicants should be less than 60 years old (IIT director) and less than 65 years old (central university vice-chancellor), but there is no hard and fast rule.