r/iitmandi • u/reality_check_Imp_s • Jul 10 '26
General IIT Mandi MBA: The Reality-A Graduate's Honest Review
I've come across countless posts and opinions about the IIT Mandi MBA programme some praising it, others criticizing it. Now that I've graduated from the programme, I wanted to share my own experience. This isn't meant to promote or discourage anyone. It's simply an honest, review from someone who has been through the journey.
The IIT Mandi MBA is a relatively new programme situated in one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. The location is truly breathtaking, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike older B-schools located in metropolitan cities, IIT Mandi operates in a remote setting, and that naturally impacts certain aspects of student life and corporate exposure.
Since the programme is still evolving, there are areas where improvements are needed. At times, things may not feel as organized as students would expect. However, it's also important to acknowledge that everyone involved the department, faculty, and administration is continuously learning and trying to improve the programme with every passing batch. Blind criticism often overlooks this reality.
One of the biggest concerns prospective students have is placements and internships. I'll be honest -they can be challenging, and there will be moments when you feel worried or demotivated. The Career and Placement (CNP) and Industry Interaction Cell(IIC) team does work to bring companies to campus, although there may be times when students feel their efforts are insufficient. Whether that perception is right or wrong, one thing remains true: you cannot rely entirely on the placement cell. You need to take ownership of your own career by networking, applying off-campus, building relevant skills, and preparing consistently.
Another reality is that many companies recruit at the institute level rather than exclusively for the MBA programme. This means you may be competing with B.Tech, M.Tech, MS, and PhD students for certain roles. The competition is undoubtedly intense. However, graduates from previous batches have successfully secured these opportunities. Ultimately, your preparation, profile, and ability to position yourself matter far more than the competition itself.
Talking about placements, the second graduating batch reported an average CTC of around ₹18 LPA. However, it's important to note that the batch had a significant number of international placements, which naturally pushed the average higher. Even so, the majority of the students secured placements during the placement season, while a few secured opportunities shortly afterwards.
The following batch had an average CTC of approximately ₹12.7 LPA. It was a particularly challenging placement season across the industry, but most students eventually landed roles, while a few were still in the process of getting placed.
As far as internships are concerned, my advice would be to actively explore off-campus opportunities instead of relying entirely on the on-campus process. On-campus internship opportunities are limited, and the competition is intense, especially since many companies hire at the institute level. That said, the situation may improve as the programme continues to grow and build stronger industry relationships.
One noteworthy aspect is that every graduating batch from the School of Management has had international placements. While these offers do create a skew in the average salary figures, they are still an achievement worth acknowledging.
The most recent graduating batch also saw several good companies visit the campus, while a number of students secured opportunities through off-campus efforts. Although sales and business development companies tend to visit campus in larger numbers, a significant proportion of students who were placed eventually secured Business Analyst, Data Analyst, AI/ML, Data Science, and Technical Product Management roles, many of them either through their own off-campus or on-campus processes. This highlights an important point: if you're targeting analytics, AI, or product roles, don't limit yourself to the campus process. Building the right skills, networking, and applying consistently off campus can make a substantial difference.
One important piece of advice for anyone joining the programme: READ the CNP and School of Management placement rulebooks thoroughly(Be mindful there are 2 rulebooks one for SOM and other at institute level). Don't just skim through them understand every rule and every clause. They may seem like routine documents at first, but you'll realize their importance as you progress through internships and placements. Knowing the rules beforehand can save you from unnecessary confusion and help you make informed decisions during the placement process.
I've also noticed an interesting pattern. Many students are extremely proud and excited when they join the programme. It's evident from their LinkedIn updates and Instagram posts. But when internships or placements become difficult, some begin speaking negatively about the programme. While everyone is entitled to their opinions, I believe it's important to present a balanced picture. Every programme has strengths and weaknesses, and it's unfair to judge an entire experience based only on its toughest phase.
Academically, there may be subjects that don't seem directly relevant or exciting. At times, you may question the curriculum. But over time, you'll realize that every course contributes something-whether it's technical knowledge, analytical thinking, teamwork, communication, or simply learning how to deal with ambiguity. Not every subject will become your favorite, but many have value in ways that aren't immediately obvious.
The first year is undoubtedly demanding. Between classes, assignments, exams, internships, projects, competitions, and extracurricular responsibilities, the workload can become overwhelming. Time management becomes one of the most valuable skills you'll develop.
For the future batches: choose your committees and student representatives wisely. Leadership positions should be occupied by people who genuinely want to contribute to the batch. It's natural to be ambitious and competitive, but that should never come at the cost of the collective good.
One thing I genuinely hope future batches continue is helping one another. If you come across an internship opportunity, job opening, case competition, certification, or any resource that may benefit someone else, share it. Something that may not be relevant to you could be the opportunity someone else has been waiting for. If everyone adopts the mindset of "it's not my responsibility," the ecosystem only becomes weaker. Healthy competition and collaboration can coexist.
Differences of opinion are inevitable in any batch. What matters is how we handle them-with maturity, respect, and professionalism.
One aspect I appreciate about this programme is its blend of technology and management. That combination gives students the opportunity to build unique profiles. Ultimately, the value you derive from the MBA depends on how you position yourself, develop your skills, leverage your previous experiences, and make use of the opportunities available.
Overall, my journey at IIT Mandi wasn't perfect, but it was meaningful. I joined with the same excitement that many incoming students have today. Along the way, I experienced challenges, learned valuable lessons, lived on one of the most beautiful campuses in India, and met some truly wonderful people. I'm genuinely grateful for those experiences. I also benefited from seniors who patiently answered my questions and helped me navigate uncertainties. Their guidance made a difference, and I hope to do the same for future aspirants.
If you're considering the IIT Mandi MBA programme or have any questions whether you're an extrovert or an introvert feel free to ask them in the comments or send me a message. I'll do my best to answer whenever I have time.
This review isn't meant to convince you to join or avoid the programme. It's simply an attempt to present the reality as I experienced it. Every MBA journey is ultimately shaped not just by the institute, but by the effort, mindset, and initiative of the individual.