Even as the human resource development ministry downplays allegations of interference in the selection of IIM directors, IIM insiders say a democratic selection procedure will depend on the chairpersons of the IIM boards.

The reason? In the selection committee, the chairperson is likely to be the sole representative of the particular IIM he heads.

When the HRD ministry decided to change its selection process for the post of IIM directors in 2002, NR Narayana Murthy -- the then chairperson of IIM, Ahmedabad -- was the only IIM representative in the six-member selection committee.

The committee -- for the first time -- interviewed the candidates instead of the earlier practice of conducting the process in a very informal manner.

This year, the spotlight will firmly be on the current chairpersons of the IIM governing councils -- Vijaypat Singhania of IIM-A, Ajit Balakrishnan of IIM-C and Mukesh Ambani of IIM-B -- since their respective directors Bakul Dholakia, Shekhar Choudhury and Prakash Apte are set to retire in the next couple of months.

Before 2002, the chairpersons consulted close to 30 faculty members and alumni along with the search committee before drawing up a list of candidates, which was forwarded to the HRD ministry.

The  ministry would then shortlist the candidates and consult with the IIM governing board before deciding on a candidate.