International as well as domestic tourism and business travel has increased manifold worldwide leading to a great demand for hotels, restaurants, resorts, etc., which in turn has created a demand for hotel management education across the world. India is the market place for leading hotel chains from overseas with the main thrust being provided by local hotel chains who are increasingly active in this versatile industry.

There are 24 Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and 6 Food Craft Institutes spread all over the country that offer three-year degree programme in hotel management and catering technology. Besides, a number of colleges / institutes are also offering 3/4 year programmes in hotel management / hotel management and catering technology.

The Indian Institutes of Travel and Tourism Management (IITM) offer short-term courses. Courses designed for travel and tourism are also provided by private institutions. The institutions run on the guidelines provided by the Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, a reputed national body established by the Ministry of Tourism.

The degrees offered by the Indian institutions equip the students with all required skills and knowledge to effectively discharge supervisory and managerial responsibilities in star category hotels, airline catering, ship and cruise line catering, restaurants and bars, institutional catering, etc.

The degree programmes offered by the Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) are regulated through a statutory body, National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT), which is responsible for establishment and prescription of standards/norms. All Institutes uniformly follow standardised course curricula prescribed by the Council. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), a statutory body of Government of India or the affiliated universities regulate the norms and standards in other institutions offering hotel management courses.

Securing Admission
For candidates applying to any of the courses, English must compulsorily be one of the subjects of the qualifying examination.
Selection to most government-recognised institutes is based on a common entrance test in English, reasoning, general science and general knowledge. The test is of two-hour duration and is held around April every year. The test is followed by a group discussion and interview. NRIs can also take this test.
International students can apply for direct admission through Ed.CIL. NRIs can also apply directly.
Private institutes also conduct tests of their own, the pattern of which is almost the same.

Courses Offered*

Leading Hotel Management Institutes*

3 year/4 year Degree Programme in Hotel Management and Catering Technology Post Graduate Diploma in Accommodation Operation & Management Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Hospital Food Service Post Graduate Diploma in Travel and Tourism Certificate Course in Hotel & Catering Management Craftsmanship Course in Food Production Craftsmanship Course in Food & Beverage Service Diploma in Food Production Diploma in Food & Beverage Service Diploma in Front Office Diploma in House Keeping Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery *indicative list only

Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) regulated by NCHMCT are located at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gangtok, Goa, Gurudaspur, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram. Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (IITTM) at Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai and New Delhi. Acharya Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore M.S. Ramaiah College of Hotel Management, Bangalore SRM College of Hotel Management, Chennai Subbalakshmi Lakshmipathy College of Science (College of Hotel Management & Catering Sciences), Madurai Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development, New Delhi; Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal. *indicative list only