By –  Supratim Chakrabarty , Senior Faculty , T.I.M.E

MBA as an interdisciplinary study always acted as a platform for intermingling of students from different educational backgrounds be it engineering or Science or commerce or humanities. 

If you are anywhere close to completing your graduation or have worked in the industry for a few years and are thinking what to do next then MBA from one of the top B-schools in India would definitely have crossed your mind. Those of us who have worked for a few years will agree that to grow beyond a certain level in your job, you need an additional degree. Also, even as a fresh graduate you can reasonably expect a saving of 4-6 years in reaching the project manager level of profiles. 

The sheer diversity of jobs on offer, the extent of responsibility and ownership that you get as an MBA in your job make it worth your while. You get to choose from a range of specialisations such as Marketing, Advertising, Finance, Strategy, HR, Consulting etc. The challenges that you have as an MBA are much higher and so are the rewards for success. If you want to become an entrepreneur you will need experience in the sector of preference, and financial backing besides others. Your ability to get seed capital for starting a new business improves tremendously if you have done an MBA from one of the top B-schools in the country. You also get to interact with the best minds in the country where you can brainstorm your ideas and get a better handle on things. 

However, the MBA option used to be after you have completed your graduation. But now IIMs are also focusing on IPM programs. 

What is an IPM Program?

An Integrated Program in Management (IPM), like those offered by IIMs, is a 5-year program combining undergraduate and postgraduate studies, leading to a dual degree (BBA + MBA). IPM programs are designed for students fresh out of Class 12 who want to pursue a career in business management. With IIM Shillong, launching a 5-year integrated program in management (IPM) in 2025 now we have seven IIMs to offer an IPM program. IIFT is also offering its own IPM program.

The following are the IIMs that offer the IPM program

1. IIM Indore
2. IIM Rohtak
3. IIM Ranchi
4. IIM Bodhgaya
5. IIM Jammu
6. IIM Amritsar
7. IIM Shillong

IIMs aim to develop competent management professionals, change agents and outstanding leaders through this program. It provides an excellent opportunity for young aspirants, who want to pursue a career in management. The programme will help the students get a head start in the field of management much earlier than they could have through the more traditional approach of post graduation or a masters program. The program will also aid students in overall personality development and bring about societal awareness in them.

There are several other reasons why this program would excite a student fresh out of school:

• Better training in management – thanks to a wider training horizon and a world-class IIM faculty
• The brand value of being an IIM graduate alongside your graduation
• Much improved employability as compared to traditional graduation options
• Relatively easier entrance test as compared to the other management entrance tests post graduation where the number of applicants is much higher

Apart from this there are BMS programs offered by IIM Kozhikode and IIM Sirmaur. In these BMS courses, students will be exposed to a host of courses ranging from basics of statistics, mathematics, principles of management, different functional areas of management, economics, communication, psychology, humanities, social sciences, sustainability, public policy etc. The programme will run over 8 semesters across 4 years.

Students can expect to have placement opportunities in business organizations in different verticals and roles. These opportunities could be in the following areas.
 

• Sales and Marketing
• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• E-Commerce
• Banking and FinTech
• Finance
• Product / Project / Programme Management
• Retail / Services / Infrastructure
• IT / ITES
• Human Resource Management

In addition, graduates may also choose career paths like pursuing academic research (PhD) in India or abroad, entrepreneurship, Civil services, consulting/analyst roles etc. The four year course work and mandatory components will equip a student to take up any entry level opportunities available in business organisations.

IIM Bangalore on its part started offering The Bachelor of Business Administration in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship BBA(DBE) programme. This programme aims to create equal opportunities for prospective learners from all backgrounds and regions, allowing them to continue their current activities without having to relocate or disrupt their lives. Networking is central, with opportunities for collaboration and connecting with professionals to enhance career prospects. This first-of-its-kind programme combines digital and in-person interactions to build a community and promote professional growth in a dynamic environment.

In essence, today students from commerce, arts and science backgrounds have more options in their hands right after their 12th board completion.