The Centre has raised the retirement age for IIM directors from 65 to 70 years and dropped the age limit for applicants for the post.

An education ministry notification has dropped a provision in the original IIM rules that said: “The age of applicant for the post of director shall not be more than 60 years as on first day of January of the year of advertisement for the post.”

The notification says that IIM directors — normally appointed for five years — will hold office through their tenure or till they attain the age of 70, whichever is earlier.

There had been a demand for the retirement age for IIM directors to be brought on a par with that for IIT directors and central university vice-chancellors, who are allowed to work till the age of 70. The age of applicants is preferably less than 60 (IIT director) and preferably less than 65 (central university VC), but there’s no hard and fast limit.