Life @ IIM Ahmedabad: Nitin Porwal shares campus life, academics, culture & career growth

Life at IIM Ahmedabad: Nitin Porwal, Chartered Accountant who turned his childhood exposure to business into a dream seat at IIM Ahmedabad

CAT 2025 is around the corner and thousands of MBA aspirants want to know what life is like inside India’s top business schools. To answer that, Shiksha has started a special series Life at IIM, highlighting the journeys, challenges, and achievements of students from different IIMs.

CAT aspirants can use this series to understand how IIMs influence careers, build leadership ability, and shape a student’s overall growth.

Nitin Porwal, a PGP 2026 batch student, shares his campus life.

Q. Nitin, tell us about yourself and your journey at IIM Ahmedabad?

Nitin: I was born in a Marwari family where business and finance were part of daily conversations, starting with my father’s grocery shop. This early exposure pushed me towards Chartered Accountancy, which I cleared on my first attempt in July 2021. For my CA articleship, I worked with EY for almost three years in Statutory Audit.

But I always wanted to pursue an MBA from an IIM, and IIM Ahmedabad was my top choice because of its strong academic culture. In the past year, I’ve realised that this campus encourages new ideas, diverse viewpoints, and meaningful interactions.

Q. Why did you choose this IIM over others, when you had admission offers from other institutes?

Nitin: I had been living in Ahmedabad for seven years before joining the campus as a student, since both my articleship and work were based here. But entering this campus felt completely different. The stories I had heard about the iconic red brick buildings academic intensity campus events and its unique culture always made this place aspirational for me.

Q, Describe your first week on campus. What stood out the most?

Nitin: Before regular classes begin, non-engineering PGP students are invited for a preparatory course in Quantitative Methods. As a non engineering student I had the chance to join early.

First week felt overwhelming visiting the famous Louis Kahn Plaza exploring classrooms library and sports facilities. Academic culture at IIM Ahmedabad is a mix of healthy competition and real collaboration. Its rigorous curriculum pushes you to give your best.

Students quickly realise that journey isn’t limited to academics. Group projects tight deadlines club activities and many campus experiences create a learning environment that extends beyond classroom.

Q. What is one unique academic tradition or teaching style you have experienced here?

Nitin: Most distinctive aspects is case-based learning approach. It helps you understand real-world business situations through discussion and analysis. Surprise quizzes, field visits, and project-based tasks add to the experience.

Q. How do you balance academics with extra-curricular activities?

Nitin: You slowly learn to prioritise as you move through the demands of campus life. Every day is a balance of classes, deadlines, club work, and time spent with friends.

Sleep often gets compromised, but the learning, friendships, and memories make it worth it. This environment builds discipline and flexibility, and it prepares you well for a fast-paced work life.

Q. Tell us about hostel life and social life. Any interesting ritual or tradition you want to discuss?

Nitin: Since the campus is fully residential, the dorms become a second home. Students bond over late-night conversations, joint study sessions, and spontaneous celebrations.

Diwali decorations, birthday celebrations at midnight, movie outings, and friendly dorm rivalries bring everyone closer. All-nighters for assignments are common, and late-night tea at “Bhavesh Bhai” is almost a ritual.

The social life here comes alive through various clubs, cultural events, and campus activities.

Q. How has being at this b-school shaped your career and personal growth?

Nitin: IIM Ahmedabad’s academics, industry-focused curriculum, and peer learning have helped me build strategic thinking, resilience, and adaptability. One of the most important aspects is the quality of peer interactions—we learn as much from each other as we do in class.