Maharashtra to Seek Renaming IIT Bombay as IIT Mumbai, CM Fadnavis

The Maharashtra government has announced that it will formally request the Centre to rename the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay as the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 27-11-2025, reigniting a long-standing debate over the continued use of the name “Bombay” even after the city was officially renamed Mumbai in 1995. The proposal follows recent remarks by Union Minister Jitendra Singh during an event at IIT Bombay, where he reportedly stated, “thank God, IIT Bombay’s name still remains.” The comment drew sharp reactions from several political groups and social organisations, particularly the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which accused the statement of undermining the city’s official identity and Marathi cultural sentiment.

Fadnavis Cites City’s Official Renaming in 1995

Speaking at a public event in Nagpur, CM Fadnavis said that since the city has carried the official name Mumbai for nearly 30 years, institutions located in the city should also reflect this reality. He stated that traces of the word “Bombay” in public nomenclature must gradually be removed in order to align with the state’s cultural and administrative decisions. The Chief Minister confirmed that the state government will soon write a formal letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Ministry of Education, seeking approval for renaming the prestigious national institute. He added that the issue goes beyond symbolism and reflects respect for Maharashtra’s identity and linguistic heritage.

Political Reactions After Jitendra Singh’s Remarks

The issue gained fresh momentum after Jitendra Singh’s statement at IIT Bombay, which was widely circulated on social media. Political parties, particularly the MNS and some Shiv Sena factions, criticised the remark and demanded immediate action from the state government. They argued that continuing with the old colonial-era name goes against Maharashtra’s long-standing efforts to promote Marathi identity. Following the backlash, the Maharashtra government clarified that the name change demand has existed for years, but the current political climate and public sentiment have added urgency to the matter.

Centre’s Approval Mandatory for Name Change

While the state government can recommend the renaming, the final authority rests with the Central Government, since IITs are national institutes governed under central legislation. Any change in the official name of IIT Bombay would require:

• Formal approval from the Union Ministry of Education
• Administrative notification by the Central Government
• Updates in academic records, legal documents, international collaborations, and branding
• Changes across official digital platforms and global academic networks

Experts note that such a change would involve extensive policy-level coordination due to IIT Bombay’s global academic standing and its international alumni network.

Long-Standing Demand for “IIT Mumbai”

Cultural organisations in Maharashtra have repeatedly argued that the continued use of the name “Bombay” on one of the country’s most prestigious institutions contradicts the city’s official identity. Supporters of the change claim that renaming the institute will bring symbolic alignment with the city’s post-1995 identity, while critics caution about branding, legacy recognition, and global familiarity associated with the “IIT Bombay” name.

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