As the global hospitality industry expands with renewed
energy, India stands poised to be a powerhouse of skilled hospitality
professionals. At the forefront of this movement are the Institutes of Hotel
Management (IHMs), working under the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), Government of
India. These institutes are recognised for their legacy of excellence,
practical training, and commitment to developing world-class professionals.
With admissions now open for the upcoming academic session, there is no better
time for aspiring students to consider a rewarding career in hospitality.
The IHMs' legacy is personified by the likes of Padam Shree
Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef Manjit Gill, Puneet Chatwal, Ranju Alex, Padam Shree Chef
Damu, etc. Actually, the list is so proficient and long that it can go on and
on, including numerous Michelin-starred celebrities. This illustrious list eminently
shows the depth and width of IHMs across India and the world in terms of
providing leadership in the hospitality sector.
IHMs across the country are undergoing a transformational
shift to align more closely with national priorities and global industry
demands. With dynamic changes initiated through government directives and
industry feedback, these institutes are evolving into high-impact learning
environments that not only educate but also inspire.
Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration
IHMs are strengthening ties with the hospitality industry to
ensure that academic delivery mirrors industry expectations. This partnership
enhances the relevance of the curriculum, provides students with valuable
industry exposure, and ensures smoother placement transitions. Hotel brands
such as Taj, Marriott, Oberoi, ITC, and international players have become
active collaborators in this effort, offering internships, recruitment support,
and mentorship opportunities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between
Central IHMs and leading hotel chains further cements this collaboration,
enabling structured faculty-industry interactions, joint research, and hands-on
learning experiences for students.
Task Force for Curriculum Upgrade
To remain future-ready, a dedicated task force has revised
the IHM curriculum to incorporate cutting-edge subjects. From Artificial
Intelligence in Hospitality, Digital Marketing, Sustainable Tourism, to
Cultural Diversity Management, the curriculum now reflects the needs of a 21st-century
workforce. Students are trained not just in core hotel operations but in soft
skills, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies—skills that make them
versatile and globally competitive.
Recognising the need to attract high-potential students,
IHMs have initiated focused admission augmentation efforts. These include:
•Awareness
campaigns across schools and career fairs.
•Media
outreach to promote the value of hospitality education.
•Enhanced
digital presence, making it easier for students and parents to access admission
details.
In addition, IHMs are working closely with the National
Testing Agency (NTA) to streamline the entrance process (NCHM JEE), ensuring
transparency, efficiency, and student convenience.
Outstanding Placement Track Record
IHMs are widely respected for their consistent placement
performance. Final-year students are recruited by top hospitality chains,
airlines, cruise lines, and multinational corporations. Placement cells across
IHMs maintain active engagement with industry recruiters to secure high-quality
job offers for graduates. For example, this year, AIHM Chandigarh achieved a
stunning 100 percent one student one placement record. A growing trend is the
interest of cruise liners, which now regularly participate in campus
placements, offering students exciting international career opportunities on
luxury ships around the globe.
Global Exposure and International Collaborations
IHMs have taken significant steps in fostering international
collaborations. A notable partnership with Michigan State University (USA)
enables academic exchange, research collaboration, and global networking.
Students also benefit from prestigious internship programs at the University
College of Birmingham and Marriott hotels in Mauritius, where they gain
hands-on training and exposure to international standards of hospitality. These
collaborations add immense value to a student’s resume and expand their career
horizons.
Faculty Development and Innovation Culture
Quality education begins with quality educators. To ensure
faculty remains industry-relevant, IHMs have rolled out faculty development
programs in partnership with top hotel brands and academic institutions.
Faculty members receive exposure to the latest tools, pedagogical techniques,
and hospitality trends, which they then bring back to the classroom.
Additionally, IHMs are nurturing a culture of innovation and incubation by
encouraging students to engage in start-up projects, research, and
entrepreneurship. Dedicated incubation centres provide mentorship and seed
funding for promising student-led ventures in food technology, sustainable
tourism, and service innovation.
Special Collaborations and Strategic Alliances
IHMs are also exploring unique partnerships outside the
traditional hospitality space. Collaborations with defence forces, for example,
with the Directorate General Resettlements, aim to support skilling and
reskilling programs for defence personnel, opening doors to new domains for
training and facilitating corporate social responsibility. Furthermore,
initiatives taken at Indian Culinary Institutes (ICIs) are reinforcing culinary
education as a specialised domain, increasing the diversity of professional
pathways available to students.
Why Choose IHM?
A degree from IHM is not just a qualification—it is a
gateway to a prestigious, people-centric, and globally relevant profession.
Students learn to thrive in real-world environments while developing skills
that are applicable in numerous industries, including hospitality, aviation,
healthcare, retail, and tourism. With a renewed focus on employability,
technology, and global readiness, IHMs are offering a transformative education
experience that prepares students for leadership roles and entrepreneurial success.
The hospitality industry offers some of the most exciting,
fast-paced, and rewarding career opportunities today. Whether it’s managing
luxury hotels, designing world-class guest experiences, working on
international cruise liners, or running your own culinary venture or event
management firm, the possibilities are limitless. With strategic upgrades,
strong industry partnerships, and a student-first approach, IHMs are the ideal
launchpad for a wonderful hospitality career. As such, timely action for guaranteed
world-class career building through IHMs is worth pursuing. This is well
expressed by “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late”.
Authors:
Mr. Gyan Bhushan, (IES), Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry
of Tourism and Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Hotel Management
and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), Government of India
Dr. Pratik Ghosh, Head of Department, Dr. Ambedkar Institute
of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Chandigarh
