Dr. Himadri Das, the Director General, IMI, talks about the evolving admission process, placements, other important details supporting management aspirants.
Exclusive Interview: Dr Himadri Das, Director General, IMI
In an exclusive conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr Himadri Das, Director General of International Management Institute (IMI) shared transformative developments shaping the institute’s vision for 2025 and beyond. From revamping the admission process with a stronger focus on profile-based shortlisting to integrating cutting-edge fields like analytics, fintech, and generative AI into the curriculum, IMI Delhi is positioning itself as a future-ready B-school.
Dr. Das also addressed the current placement landscape, detailing IMI Delhi’s proactive engagement with recruiters, alumni support, and strategic global partnerships that aim to prepare students for evolving industry demands. Check out some important excerpts from the interview below:
Q: Dr Das, what changes can prospective students expect in the IMI Delhi admission process for 2025?
Dr. Himadri Das: For the 2025 admissions cycle, IMI Delhi will place greater emphasis on a profile-based shortlisting and selection process. While academic excellence, reflected through entrance test scores, as well as performance in Classes 10, 12, and undergraduate studies, will continue to be important, we are looking beyond just marks. A key focus will be on creating a more diverse cohort, not only in terms of gender but also in terms of educational backgrounds and work experience. Communication skills will play a critical role, as these are highly valued by recruiters. Furthermore, our interview process will be tailored to assess a candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge to real-world business scenarios, rather than simply testing theoretical understanding. The idea is to evaluate how well a candidate can think on their feet and solve problems—skills that are essential in today’s dynamic business environment.
Q: How do you ensure IMI Delhi’s curriculum stays industry-relevant, especially in areas like fintech and digital transformation?
Dr. Himadri Das: At IMI Delhi, we undertake a major curriculum revision every two to three years, supplemented by minor annual updates. This process is deeply informed by continuous feedback from industry stakeholders on the evolving skillsets they seek in management graduates. We also benchmark our curriculum against top institutions, both in India and globally, to ensure alignment with best practices. Given the rapid pace of technological change, particularly in areas like fintech and digital transformation, our focus is on forward-looking content that equips students with business-ready skills. This means going beyond theoretical knowledge to emphasize practical application. Another key element is our pedagogy—20–30% of our advanced courses are co-delivered by senior industry professionals. This not only adds real-world relevance but also ensures that students gain insights from those who are actively shaping the future of business.
Q: Of late, B-schools are facing challenges with respect to students' placement, is IMI also facing a similar challenge. How are you dealing with it?
Dr. Himadri Das: In the current economic climate, where hiring has slowed across industries, most B-schools—including IMI Delhi—are experiencing headwinds in placements. However, our approach has been to proactively mitigate these challenges. We are intensifying industry engagement by inviting more recruiters to interact with students through our open lecture series. This gives them an opportunity to experience the quality of our talent firsthand. We are also strategically mentoring students to participate and excel in
corporate competitions, which enhances visibility and differentiates our talent pool. Another critical asset is our extensive alumni network, built over four decades since our founding in 1981. Our alumni actively support students through mentorship, interview preparation, and networking opportunities, significantly boosting our placement efforts. In challenging times, it is the strength of such long-standing relationships and proactive initiatives that help us continue to deliver strong outcomes.
Q: How are you ensuring strong placement opportunities for the 2025 batch, especially with evolving corporate needs?
Dr. Himadri Das: The current hiring landscape remains subdued, with demand shrinking while the number of quality B-school graduates continues to grow. In such an environment, it becomes essential to stand out. At IMI Delhi, we are ensuring strong placement opportunities for the 2025 batch through intensified and meaningful engagement with recruiters. We are inviting them to campus not just for placements, but also to conduct lectures, workshops, and participate in panel discussions. This allows them to interact directly with our students and get a first-hand impression of their capabilities, drive, and business acumen. Such exposure helps build relationships and confidence in our talent pool. It also helps differentiate our students in a crowded market and gives them an edge in securing meaningful roles aligned with evolving corporate needs. The goal is to stay agile and responsive to market shifts while reinforcing the value of the IMI brand.
Q: Are there any new programs or specializations being introduced at IMI Delhi for the 2025 batch?
Dr. Himadri Das: For the 2025 batch, we are significantly strengthening our analytics specialization, which was introduced relatively recently. This includes adding advanced courses that incorporate real-world applications, many of which will be delivered by senior industry practitioners to bring in practical perspectives. A major shift in our approach is moving from a traditional focus on models and tools to enabling students to use analytics to answer high-impact business questions. We are also exploring the integration of Generative AI into analytics education, particularly for tasks like data cleaning and deriving actionable insights. Beyond analytics, we are taking steps to embed digital technologies more holistically across the curriculum to reflect the evolving business landscape. Additionally, sustainability will become a key cross-cutting theme, incorporated into as many courses as possible to prepare our students to think responsibly in their future leadership roles.
Q: Can you share details about any new national or international collaborations or partnerships for 2025?
Dr. Himadri Das: At IMI Delhi, we are actively expanding our global footprint through new international collaborations. For 2025, we are signing MoUs with several globally reputed business schools, with a strategic focus on institutions accredited by AACSB or EQUIS and ranked
within the top 100 of the Financial Times Masters in Management rankings. Our presence in Europe has grown significantly over the past year, and our next area of focus is the APAC region, including Australia, where we see strong potential for academic and cultural exchange. These partnerships are multifaceted, encompassing student and faculty exchange, as well as joint research initiatives. The goal is to offer our students a truly global perspective and provide opportunities to engage with diverse business environments, while also fostering academic collaboration and cross-border learning that enhances the research and teaching ecosystem at IMI Delhi.
Q: How does your international exposure influence the curriculum and global partnerships at IMI Delhi?
Dr. Himadri Das: International exposure plays a critical role in shaping both the curriculum and global partnerships at IMI Delhi. Our student exchange programs go beyond academics—they offer immersive experiences that expose students to diverse cultures, business practices, and global mindsets. This cultural sensitisation is essential for managing and expanding businesses in an increasingly interconnected world. Faculty exchange further enriches our learning environment by bringing in diverse pedagogical styles and exposing both faculty and students to globally relevant content. In addition, collaborative research with international institutions on global challenges finds its way into classroom discussions, helping students understand the complexity and interdependence of today’s business issues. These global engagements ensure our curriculum remains contemporary, holistic, and internationally aligned, preparing our graduates to thrive in cross-border roles and contribute meaningfully to global business ecosystems.
Q: Which sectors are seeing a surge on demand for b-school graduates
Dr. Himadri Das: While overall hiring trends may be subdued, certain sectors continue to demonstrate robust growth and consistent demand for B-school graduates. Notably, consumer tech and fintech are expanding rapidly, driven by innovation, digital adoption, and evolving consumer behavior. These sectors seek graduates with strong analytical and problem-solving skills who can navigate dynamic, tech-driven environments. Consulting remains another strong performer, with firms seeking strategic thinkers to help clients adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape. The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector also continues to hire actively, particularly in roles related to digital banking, risk management, and financial analytics. These sectors value the agility, business acumen, and cross-functional training that B-school graduates bring, and at IMI Delhi, we ensure our students are well-prepared to meet the evolving expectations of these industries.
Q: What are your strategic goals for IMI Delhi over the next 5 years, particularly in digitalization and AI?
Dr. Himadri Das: At IMI Delhi, our strategic vision for the next five years is centered around becoming a future-ready business school—one that not only anticipates change but prepares leaders
to thrive in it. We believe digitalization and AI will be the dominant forces shaping the business landscape, and our goal is to integrate these themes deeply into our curriculum. To ensure relevance and impact, we are engaging senior industry practitioners who are at the forefront of these technologies to co-create and co-deliver content. This approach ensures our students gain practical, application-oriented insights and are equipped with capabilities that set them apart from their peers. Our core focus is on building differentiation—creating a learning environment that equips graduates with future-facing skills, business agility, and the ability to lead through digital disruption.
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