The union government has given the go-ahead for setting up an Indian Institute of Management at Marabhita in Assam’s Kamrup district following a proposal submitted by the state government.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that the Ministry of Education has given “in-principle approval” to the proposal and appointed IIM Ahmedabad as the mentor institute for the new IIM. Of the 21 IIMs across the country, only one — IIM Shillong — is located in the Northeast.

The state government had written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in May 2022 for the establishment of an IIM in Assam, stating that “having an IIM will result in the proliferation of education in neighbouring states like Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh etc and could lead to the establishment of a management hub to cater to the requirement of local industries”.

“An IIM will attract elite corporate organisations to invest in human talent and encourage investments,” the letter read. The state government has agreed to provide the 574 bigha land free of cost for the new institute.

The ministry has directed IIM Ahmedabad to prepare a detailed project report for the institute in consultation with the Union Higher Education Department and the Assam government.

“This will be a game changer for Assam, making the state an education hub in eastern India and also help fulfil our economic aspirations. I envisage these premiere institutes to collaborate among themselves and unleash the power of multidisciplinary education,” said Sarma, referring to the IIT, AIIMS and National Law University in Assam.