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

IIM Indore PGP student Dr Aditya Roy Choudhary shares his experiences, how campus life is shaping his future. Read excerpts from the conversation.

In 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 26 Batch).

From classroom simulations to hostel traditions, Dr Aditya Roy Choudhary spoke about his experiences. how campus life is shaping his future. Here are some excerpts from the conversation...

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 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. 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.

Teaching pedagogy has 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.

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

Dr. Aditya: IRIS is three days competitions and performances, but 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.

Q. Hostel & social life, any interesting rituals or tradition?

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. 

• 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 some 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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