The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta) is preparing to introduce a new AI-first online MBA program tailored for working professionals. This two-year blended degree will combine online learning with in-person sessions, pending approval from the institute's Academic Council. It aims to provide a full MBA experience with a focus on artificial intelligence integrated throughout the curriculum.
What the AI-First MBA Entails
This innovative program will award the same Master of Business Administration degree as IIM Calcutta’s flagship on-campus Post Graduate Programme, along with full lifetime alumni status. The curriculum is designed by IIM Calcutta faculty and will be delivered through the institute’s proprietary online learning platform. Unlike traditional MBAs that offer AI as a separate specialization, this program embeds AI concepts across all management disciplines. Students will also take dedicated AI courses in both years and engage in three live AI Labs, where they will tackle real-world challenges from partner organizations and present their solutions to panels of academics and industry experts.
Program Structure and Features
- The program spans six academic terms over two years, with the option to extend completion to three years.
- It includes over 600 hours of credit-bearing classroom instruction, delivered live online from Thursday to Sunday to accommodate working professionals.
- The first year features a common curriculum for all students, while the second year offers a wide range of electives.
- Participants will attend five residential campus immersions at IIM Calcutta’s Joka campus.
- A mandatory international immersion is part of the program, held at a leading business school in Singapore.
- The curriculum includes a Personal Leadership Journey, featuring executive coaching and 360-degree leadership assessments over 24 months.
Who Should Apply and Admission Details
The program targets professionals with a bachelor’s degree in any field and at least three years of full-time work experience, with preference for those having five or more years. Admission will be based on valid scores from CAT, GMAT, or GRE exams, followed by a personal interview. The schedule of live online classes is designed to allow participants to maintain full-time employment while studying.
According to IIM Calcutta Director Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, this program places artificial intelligence at the heart of management education and offers an opportunity for professionals who cannot leave their careers to earn a prestigious IIM Calcutta MBA. Associate Professor Saravana Jaikumar, who leads the program’s design, emphasized that this MBA is intended to be a preferred choice over traditional residential programs, offering a higher academic load, extensive electives, and hands-on AI experience through labs focused on real organizational problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes this MBA different from other online MBA programs?
A: This program integrates artificial intelligence throughout the curriculum rather than as a separate specialization, includes live AI Labs with real-world projects, and offers international and campus immersions, providing a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this program?
A: Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and have at least three years of full-time work experience, with preference given to those with five or more years.
Q: How will classes be scheduled for working professionals?
A: Live online classes will be conducted from Thursday to Sunday, allowing participants to continue their full-time jobs while pursuing the MBA.
