The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) is the common name used for a network of government-run institutes in India that offer education and training in hospitality management, catering technology, and applied nutrition. These institutes are affiliated with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Key facts
| Type | Government institutes of hospitality education |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Tourism, Government of India |
| Academic partner | NCHMCT in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for the B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration |
| Country | India |
| Common admission test | NCHM JEE (conducted by the National Testing Agency) |
Overview
The IHMs were established to provide structured, professional education in hotel management and allied disciplines, with the aim of supporting India's tourism and hospitality sector. The institutes operate at three tiers — Central IHMs funded by the Government of India, State IHMs supported by respective state governments, and a number of private institutes affiliated to NCHMCT. Each institute follows a standardised curriculum prescribed by the council.
Background
Formal hospitality training in India began in the 1960s with the setting up of food craft institutes and the original Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition at Pusa, New Delhi. As the tourism industry expanded, the network was extended across the country and brought under the umbrella of the NCHMCT, which was set up in 1982 to coordinate, regulate, and standardise hospitality education.
Academic programmes
The IHMs typically offer the following programmes through NCHMCT:
- B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration, awarded jointly by NCHMCT and IGNOU.
- Diploma and craft courses in food production, food and beverage service, front office operations, and housekeeping.
- Postgraduate diploma in accommodation operations and management, and a postgraduate diploma in dietetics and hospital food service at select institutes.
- Short-term certificate courses in specialised areas such as bakery and confectionery.
Admissions
Admission to the flagship B.Sc. programme is through the NCHM JEE, a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency. Candidates are allotted seats across participating central, state, and private IHMs through a centralised counselling process.
Network of institutes
Prominent institutes within the network include:
- IHM Pusa, New Delhi
- IHM Mumbai
- IHM Kolkata
- IHM Bengaluru
- IHM Chennai
- IHM Hyderabad
- IHM Lucknow
- IHM Bhopal
- IHM Ahmedabad
- IHM Goa
Additional state-run and affiliated institutes operate in cities such as Jaipur, Gurdaspur, Gwalior, Bhubaneswar, Shimla, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Significance
The IHM network is among the largest organised systems of hospitality education in Asia and is regarded as a principal source of trained human resources for India's hotels, airlines, cruise lines, contract catering firms, and quick-service restaurant chains. Alumni occupy positions across the Indian and international hospitality industry, and several have moved into entrepreneurship, food media, and culinary arts.
Related topics
- National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology
- Ministry of Tourism (India)
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- NCHM JEE
- Tourism in India
- Hospitality industry
References
- National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology — official information on affiliated institutes and programmes.
- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — publications on hospitality education and manpower development.
- National Testing Agency — NCHM JEE information bulletins.