Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Indian Business Schools Rethink MBA Programmes Amid Change
Business schools are changing how they teach because work and technology are changing.
Artificial intelligence is affecting how businesses operate.
Some schools believe students may benefit from learning specific skills when they need them, instead of following one fixed programme.
Some schools in the United States and United Kingdom have stopped offering two-year full-time MBAs.
In India, institutes including the IIMs are promoting one-year executive programmes.
Employers are also choosing graduates more carefully and looking for people who can solve problems.
The study found that placement rates fell at the top 25 Indian schools but rose at schools ranked 51–75.
Business schools will need to help students adapt and handle complex problems.
The Business Today–MDRA Best B-Schools 2026-27 edition assessed 277 management institutes across India.
Artificial intelligence and changing business needs are prompting schools to reconsider traditional MBA formats.
Some US and UK schools have discontinued two-year full-time MBAs, while Indian institutes are promoting one-year executive programmes.
Companies are becoming more selective and prioritising management graduates who can solve problems.
Placement rates declined at India’s top 25 business schools but increased among schools ranked 51–75.
- Who
- Indian business schools, management students and employers.
- What
- Business schools are rethinking MBA formats and skills as business needs and hiring practices change.
- When
- In the context of the Business Today–MDRA Best B-Schools 2026-27 edition.
- Where
- India, with comparisons to changes at some US and UK schools.
- Why
- Artificial intelligence, rising programme costs, declining applications, changing employer expectations and a tough job market are reshaping management education.
Traditional MBA Model
Flexible, Skills-Based Model
How management education should be structured
Traditional MBA Model
The traditional MBA follows a fixed learning journey and has long been viewed as a route to senior business roles.
Flexible, Skills-Based Model
A more flexible, personalised model could let professionals acquire specific capabilities when they need them.
What programmes should emphasise
Traditional MBA Model
Business problems remain largely similar even as the technology businesses use changes, according to IIM Ahmedabad director Bharat Bhasker.
Flexible, Skills-Based Model
Schools are reconsidering formats and skills in response to AI, changing employer expectations and demand for graduates who can solve problems.
- Ranking edition
- Business Today–MDRA Best B-Schools 2026-27
- Institutes assessed
- 277 management institutes across India
- Top-ranked school
- IIM Ahmedabad emerged as India’s top business school
- Programme shift in India
- Indian institutes, including the IIMs, are promoting one-year executive programmes
- Programme shift abroad
- Some US and UK schools have discontinued two-year full-time MBAs
- Placement trend
- Hiring declined at the top 25 Indian B-schools and placement rates rose at schools ranked 51–75
- Employer priorities
- Companies are becoming more selective and prioritising problem-solving capabilities