IIM Ahmedabad Opens Applications for Second Batch of Blended MBA in Business Analytics and AI

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has officially opened the application process for the second cohort of its two-year Blended MBA Programme in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (BPGP: BA & AI). The announcement was made on the institute’s Ahmedabad campus, attended by IIMA Director Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Dean (Programmes) Prof. Diptesh Ghosh, and Prof. Anindya S. Chakrabarti, the programme's chairperson. The course is housed under the newly established Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI.Designed specifically to cater to working professionals and entrepreneurs, the curriculum aims to address the rising demand for business leaders capable of navigating complex data environments. The programme focuses on equipping students with the skills to interpret data, evaluate emerging technological trends, and apply analytical rigour to both strategic and operational business decisions. According to the institute, the course structure spans six academic terms over a two-year period.Addressing the necessity for such a programme, Prof. Bharat Bhasker highlighted the importance of critical thinking in the age of advanced technology. “One of the most important things we teach at IIM Ahmedabad is how to examine a problem carefully before arriving at a decision,” he said. He noted that while modern managers have access to increasingly sophisticated analytical tools, it remains vital for them to understand the fundamental assumptions and limitations inherent in those tools. He added that the programme intends to foster a balance between technical competence, independent analytical thought, and managerial responsibility.The course delivery is structured to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. It combines live, direct-to-device online instruction with three intensive on-campus modules. The academic content covers a broad spectrum of topics, including management, statistics, analytical modelling, machine learning, and advanced artificial intelligence. Learning is facilitated through various formats, such as case studies, simulations, capstone projects, and action-learning initiatives.The range of electives offered to students is extensive, covering areas such as Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics, Product Management, Finance and Risk Management, and Supply Chain Digitisation. Furthermore, students can explore niche subjects including Human–AI Collaboration, Change Management, AI Ethics, Policy and Regulation, and the application of Generative and Agentic AI. The institute emphasizes that its traditional case method is utilized to ground these technical subjects within real-world commercial, organisational, and ethical frameworks.A notable feature of the programme is the flexibility provided to participants, including an exit pathway available after the successful completion of the first year. Those who choose to exit at this stage are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI. Participants who complete the full two-year MBA programme are inducted into the IIMA global alumni network, providing them with long-term professional connectivity.Throughout their tenure, students retain remote access to the institute’s extensive academic and research resources. This includes the Vikram Sarabhai Library, various computing infrastructures, and a wide array of databases. The initiative follows the launch of the pioneering programme in November 2025. Chandrika Tandon, a philanthropist and alumna of IIMA’s PGP Class of 1975 who established the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI earlier this year, noted the importance of purpose in technological education. During the announcement, she emphasized that while analytical tools are powerful, the school’s focus remains firmly on people, institutions, and overarching goals.