IIM Ahmedabad launches blended MBA in AI, Business Analytics with flexible exit option

IIMA announced admissions to the second batch of its blended MBA in business analytics and AI. The flexible pathway lets eligible participants exit after one year with a postgraduate diploma.

In Short

• Six-term course combines live online classes with three campus modules
• Curriculum spans modelling, machine learning, finance, strategy and AI ethics
• Participants retain remote access to library, computing infrastructure and databases

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) on October 14 has announced admissions to the second batch of its two-year Blended MBA Programme in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (BPGP: BA & AI). The programme will be offering working professionals and entrepreneurs an exit pathway after the first year with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI.

The programme combines management education with advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to prepare professionals for data-driven leadership roles.

The announcement was made at an event at the IIMA campus attended by Director Professor Bharat Bhasker, Dean (Programmes) Professor Diptesh Ghosh, BPGP: BA & AI Chairperson Professor Anindya S. Chakrabarti, and Chairperson of the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI Professor Ankur Sinha. IIMA alumna Chandrika Tandon, a business leader, humanitarian and Grammy Award-winning musician, joined the event virtually.

IIMA alumna Chandrika Tandon, PGP Class of 1975, established the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI at the Institute through Rs 100 crore endowment.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND CURRICULUM

The two-year programme is designed to meet the growing demand for managers who can interpret complex data, assess emerging technologies and apply analytical insights to strategic and operational decisions. It is structured across six terms and combines live, direct-to-device classes with three on-campus modules, allowing working professionals to continue their careers while pursuing the degree.

Speaking at the announcement, Prof Bhasker said the programme aims to strengthen the combination of technical competence, independent thinking and managerial responsibility among business leaders. He emphasised that managers must understand the assumptions and limitations behind analytical tools before using their outputs to make decisions.

Chandrika Tandon said that 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. She added that the programme would help prepare forward-thinking managers, leaders and institution builders.

According to Prof Chakrabarti, the curriculum integrates mathematical modelling, programming and machine learning with core management disciplines such as finance and strategy. Case discussions, capstone assignments and action-learning projects will help participants evaluate analytical recommendations and apply their insights to complex business challenges.

The curriculum covers management, statistics, analytical modelling, machine learning and advanced AI. Participants can also choose electives in areas such as 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.

The programme is intended for professionals across sectors, including finance, marketing, operations, supply chain, logistics, legal services, information technology and human resources. Participants will have remote access to IIMA's academic and research resources, including the Vikram Sarabhai Library, computing infrastructure and research databases.

EXIT OPTION AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

A key feature of the programme is its exit pathway after the first year, upon which eligible participants can receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI. Those who complete the full two-year programme will earn the MBA degree and join IIMA's alumni network. The ones who exit after the first year with a diploma can come anytime later and complete the programme to get the MBA degree.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, CA, CS, ICWA, CMA or an equivalent qualification in any discipline, with at least 50% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA from a recognised university.

Working professionals and entrepreneurs must have at least three years of full-time work experience after a three-year undergraduate degree, or at least two years after a four-year undergraduate degree. The experience requirement will be calculated as of March 31, 2027.

Candidates must submit a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score obtained within the five years preceding admission, with test dates no earlier than January 1, 2022. Both GMAT Classic and GMAT Focus Edition scores are accepted. Alternatively, candidates may take the Round 1 IIMA Admission Test for BPGP: BA & AI as part of the selection process.

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