Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the inaugural Master of Business Administration (MBA) batch of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati on July 21. This programme, designed for the academic years 2026-28, commenced at the institute’s transit campus in Tech City, Bongora, which is located in the Kamrup district. The event is seen as a significant step forward for higher education in Assam and the broader North Eastern Region.

The first MBA batch consists of 52 students hailing from 18 different states across India. The educational institution has initiated its operations under the guidance of IIM Ahmedabad. Plans are in place for the eventual move to a permanent campus being developed in the villages of Morabhita and Dighalkuchi, situated within the Palashbari Revenue Circle of Kamrup district. The permanent facilities will cover 574 bighas of land and are expected to be completed within the next three years.

Government Support and Infrastructure Investments

During the inauguration, CM Sarma emphasised the occasion as a landmark achievement in Assam’s educational trajectory. He acknowledged the support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan in the establishment of the IIM. He noted that the Assam government initially approached the Union Minister of Education on May 22, 2022, followed by a request to the Prime Minister on April 19, 2023. The Ministry of Education granted in-principle approval on April 14, 2024, with formal approval from the Union Cabinet occurring in August 2025.

Sarma highlighted that under the Modi administration, the Government of India has worked to expand quality management education nationwide, increasing the number of IIMs from thirteen in 2014 to twenty-two today. Until the permanent campus is completed, a fully equipped transit campus has been developed at Tech City, Bongora, featuring modern lecture halls, offices, a library, faculty accommodation, and hostel blocks. This renovation, costing nearly Rs. 39 crore, aims to ensure seamless academic activities.

Additionally, CM Sarma recalled that the academic session of IIM Guwahati was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on February 14, 2026. Following this launch, the institute began offering Executive Education programmes, and within five months, it successfully introduced its flagship MBA programme. This development is expected to bolster Assam’s position as a key player in India’s higher education landscape.

Future Aspirations and Collaborative Efforts

As IIM Guwahati becomes the 22nd Indian Institute of Management and the second in the North East, CM Sarma expressed confidence in the institution’s potential. He urged close collaboration with other national institutions to enhance intellectual exchange and innovation. This collaboration is intended to address various developmental challenges faced by Assam and the North East, contributing to the nation’s economic advancement.

Sarma also called for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to ensure that at least fifty per cent of the seats in national institutions located in Assam are filled by local students in the forthcoming years. He praised the collaborative work of the Education Department and other bodies for their prompt efforts in establishing the transit campus, allowing the institute to begin its academic ventures on schedule.

Furthering his agenda, CM Sarma inaugurated the Digital Design and 3D Printing Centre of Excellence at the same location. Funded under the PM-DeVINE Scheme by the Government of India, this centre, with an investment of Rs. 53.84 crore, aims to facilitate the adoption of advanced technologies across various sectors, ultimately fostering economic growth in Assam. The initiative has already trained around eight hundred eighty individuals and is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities in the coming years.

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