Key Points
- IIM Ahmedabad opens admissions for second batch of blended MBA in business analytics and AI
- Participants can exit after one year with a postgraduate diploma and return later for MBA
- Programme requires minimum three years work experience and valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score
IIM Ahmedabad has opened admissions for the second batch of its two-year blended MBA programme in business analytics and artificial intelligence, offering working professionals a flexible exit pathway after the first year with a postgraduate diploma.
The programme, announced on Wednesday (14 October), combines management education with advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to prepare professionals for data-driven leadership roles. Participants who exit after completing the first year receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI, with the option to return at any point to complete the remaining coursework and earn the full MBA degree.
The blended format, which combines live online classes delivered directly to participants’ devices with three on-campus modules at the Ahmedabad campus, is designed to allow working professionals to continue their careers while pursuing the qualification. The programme runs across six academic terms over two years.
Programme curriculum
The curriculum integrates mathematical modelling, programming and machine learning with core management disciplines including finance and strategy, according to Anindya S Chakrabarti, chairperson of the programme.
“Case discussions, capstone assignments and action-learning projects will help participants evaluate analytical recommendations and apply their insights to complex business challenges,” Chakrabarti said.
Core subjects cover management fundamentals, statistics, analytical modelling, machine learning and advanced AI applications. Elective options include predictive and prescriptive analytics, product management, finance and risk management, human-AI collaboration, AI ethics and regulation, supply chain digitisation, generative AI and agentic AI, a category of artificial intelligence systems designed to act autonomously on behalf of users.
Bharat Bhasker, director of IIM Ahmedabad, said the programme aims to strengthen the combination of technical competence, independent thinking and managerial responsibility among business leaders.
“Managers must understand the assumptions and limitations behind analytical tools before using their outputs to make decisions,” Bhasker said.
The programme is intended for professionals across sectors including finance, marketing, operations, supply chain, logistics, legal services, information technology and human resources. Participants receive remote access to IIM Ahmedabad’s academic and research resources, including the Vikram Sarabhai Library, computing infrastructure and research databases.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, CA, CS, ICWA, CMA or an equivalent qualification in any discipline, with at least 50 per cent aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA from a recognised university.
Working professionals and entrepreneurs require at least three years of full-time work experience after completing a three-year undergraduate degree, or at least two years after a four-year undergraduate degree. Work experience will be calculated as of 31 March 2027.
By the numbers
Key figures from this story- Rs 100 crore
- Endowment for Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI
- 2 years
- Full programme duration
- 3 years
- Minimum work experience required
Candidates must submit a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score obtained within the five years preceding admission, with test dates no earlier than 1 January 2022. Both GMAT Classic and GMAT Focus Edition scores are accepted. Alternatively, candidates may take the Round 1 IIM Ahmedabad Admission Test for the programme as part of the selection process.
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI, which supports the programme, was established through a Rs 100 crore endowment from IIM Ahmedabad alumna Chandrika Tandon, a business leader and Grammy Award-winning musician who graduated from the institute in 1975.
“While AI offers powerful tools, effective leadership requires identifying the problems that deserve attention and developing solutions that create value for the economy and society,” Tandon said, speaking at the announcement event.
Those who complete the full two-year programme earn the MBA degree and join IIM Ahmedabad’s alumni network.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the exit option in the IIM Ahmedabad blended MBA programme?
Participants can exit after completing the first year and receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI. They can return at any time later to complete the remaining coursework and earn the full MBA degree.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IIM Ahmedabad blended MBA in AI?
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least 50 per cent marks, minimum three years work experience after a three-year degree or two years after a four-year degree, and a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score from the past five years.
How is the IIM Ahmedabad blended MBA programme structured?
The two-year programme runs across six terms, combining live online classes with three on-campus modules at IIM Ahmedabad. This format allows working professionals to continue their careers while studying.
What subjects are covered in the IIM Ahmedabad business analytics and AI MBA?
The curriculum covers management fundamentals, statistics, analytical modelling, machine learning and advanced AI. Electives include predictive analytics, AI ethics, generative AI, supply chain digitisation and human-AI collaboration.
