Life at IIM Indore: Dr. Aditya on Campus Culture, Career Growth, and Hostel Traditions

From classroom simulations to hostel traditions, Dr. Aditya discussed about his life at IIM Indore. He also shares how the campus life is preparing him for his future. Read the excerpts of the interview.

In the fourth edition of our Life at IIM series, Shiksha spoke with Dr. Aditya Roy Choudhary, who left behind the world of medicine to pursue management at IIM Indore (PGP 2024–26).

From classroom simulations to hostel traditions, Dr. Aditya discussed about his life at IIM Indore. He also shares how the campus life is preparing him for his future. Read the excerpts of the interview.

Q. Would like you to tell something about yourself and how was your journey to IIM Indore?

Dr. Aditya: I am Dr. Aditya Roy Choudhary currently pursuing Post Graduate Programme (PGP 2024–26) at Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM–I). I am also an MBBS doctor by training, and over time, I discovered that my passion extends beyond diagnosing patients to analyzing and understanding complex systems, an insight that drew me toward the management education.

That curiosity pulled me toward management and writing CAT.

Being at IIM Indore feels like the operating room for bigger, messier problems in the business world - including healthcare, ops, and tech transformation. Now, I have the opportunity to blend clinical discipline with consulting rigor.

Q. Can you describe your first week on the campus—what stood out?

Dr. Aditya: The first week on campus was an intense yet enriching experience. Orientation and induction were conducted at a rapid pace, ranging from ice-breaker activities and introductory case discussions to committee presentations, each session building upon the last in quick succession.

Coming from a medical college background, I was particularly struck by the state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, including the basketball courts, swimming pool, and turf grounds, which gave the campus the feel of a well-equipped sports facility. The lush greenery of the hilltop setting further added to the sense of a vibrant and welcoming environment.  Beyond the formal sessions, it was the people I met - many of whom have since become an integral part of my journey, and the ones who made the experience truly special.

Q. Academic culture—competitive, collaborative, or a mix?

Dr. Aditya: The culture here is a real mix. The competition is sharp—you feel it in cold calls, quizzes, and placements, but it is not cut-throat. People share notes, run peer-led prep sessions, and pull late-night doubt-clearing huddles before exams/interviews. Think “race together, finish strong individually” – you are pushed to raise your ceiling, but you are rarely left to figure it out alone.

Q. What was the reason you chose IIM Indore over others?

Dr. Aditya: IIM Indore was always my first choice for management education as it aligns with my aspiration to build a career in this industry. It also offers rigorous academics and a culture that rewards consistent performance. With time my initial preference of choosing this b-school has grown into genuine appreciation, owing the supportive ecosystem of faculty, seniors, and alumni network.

Also the serene hilltop campus eases even the most demanding days, and round-the-clock facilities that foster a strong sense of community. IIM Indore, to me, is not just a place to study but an environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth.

Q. Can you talk about one unique academic tradition or teaching style you have experienced here?

Dr. Aditya: IIM Indore's unique style is seen in case discussions and simulations, defining the rhythm. The teaching pedagogy has meticulously selected cases, which provides theoretical insight using application in the business world. Suddenly, you are not a passive note-taker or just an MBA student; you are a decision-maker, you are on your feet, arguing a position, defending numbers, pivoting when new data drops.

Simulations (markets, ops, and negotiation), utilized in multiple courses, bring that to life: teams make real-time calls, outcomes are debriefed, and as a management student you see how judgment, not just formulas, drives results. For me, coming from medicine, this “learn by doing and debating” style was a game-changer.

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

Dr. Aditya: I prioritize academics as my primary focus, while also ensures that I maintain balance for my extracurricular commitments. For this, I have identified two things, i.e., fitness through regular gym sessions and participation in dramatics, which serve as consistent outlets for both discipline and creativity.

To manage time effectively on campus, I rely on weekly planning: study blocks are scheduled first, and rehearsals or workouts are organized around them.

I avoid most distractions while choosing one or two activities that genuinely re-energize me.

Q. Must-experience events/fests/clubs on campus.

Dr. Aditya: IRIS is the flagship—it’s three days of high-energy competitions and performances, but the real value is learning to deliver under pressure with a big, student-run machine behind you. Utsaha is a two-day rural marketing fest where you go to nearby villages, talk to consumers, and run primary research—a great reality check for all our frameworks. Lastly, i5 Summit is where you see ideas meet investors and founders; even if you are not “starting up,” you learn how to structure and defend a pitch.

IIM Indore has a lot of well-run clubs and committees. My advice is simple: pick what you genuinely vibe with. Choose one club/committee aligned to your goals and one interest group platform for balance, then go deep rather than wide. It keeps your calendar sane, your learning steep, and your story coherent.

Q. Hostel & social life—any interesting rituals/traditions?

Dr. Aditya: Hostel life is best defined as “happening”. Being surrounded by friends, whose doors you can knock on and reach out to whenever you want, gives warmth and comfort. There are a few staples that stand out:

• The Night Mess, with amazing food, runs roughly 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.—classic fuel for submissions and midnight cravings.
• Campus festival celebrations, which light up the whole place, and late-night gossip sessions with my friends help me rejuvenate.
• Low-stakes, high-fun birthday corridor celebrations with cake cutting and music have basically become a tradition.

Q. How has being at this IIM shaped your career plans and growth?

Dr. Aditya: I came in as a doctor, meeting Accounts and Economics for the first time, plus the pressure of summer placements. It was rough at first—lots of anxiety, lots of late nights. With help from peers, back-to-basics study, and two anchors (gym + dramatics), I built confidence. I ended Year 1 stronger, achieving a Rank 5 among 600 students. Over the year, through guidance, studying, and experience, I gained clarity about my path, deciding on operations and tech in healthcare.

Q. One piece of advice for someone preparing to join this IIM.

Dr. Aditya: Even though there are plenty of opportunities and places to do multiple things, you have to realise that you can’t do everything. Even if multitasking is something you're excellent at, stretching yourself thin will not benefit you. I would suggest picking 3–4 priorities like academics, your committee/club work, and one fitness/creative outlet, plus time with your friends, and pursue them diligently! IIM Indore finds a way to seep into your soul through these. Depth beats scatter, because you'll be doing all of these things to the best of your ability, and for sure, your sleep will thank you.

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