logo
Choosing management after Class 12: Why Integrated BBA-MBA programs are gaining popularity

Choosing management after Class 12: Why Integrated BBA-MBA programs are gaining popularity

The Hindu11-07-2025
Most students make their career plans while in school. They join Under Graduate courses of their choice based on that after Class 12. However, most students consider Post-Graduate (PG) courses in Management only after their graduation and aspire to get into the prestigious IIMs through the Common Aptitude Test (CAT). Recent initiatives by some of the IIMs to launch a five-year Integrated BBA-MBA as a premium program is set to change the situation.
Can management be considered a career choice by the students right after class 12, alongside other alternative professional courses in disciplines such as Engineering, IT, Medicine and Law? This article examines innovative management education formats that are being launched by the reputed Business Schools in India so as to enable the students and parents to take informed career decisions early.
Current status of enrollment in management programs at UG
As per the AISHE report 2021-22, only about 29% of the students enrolled in under-graduate programs in professional streams after Class 12, the largest being in Engineering and Technology (11.8%), followed by Education (5.2%), Medicine (5%) ,IT (2.8%), Management (2.7%) and Law ( 1.6%). Management was not among the top preferred choices for UG programs after class 12, possibly due to lack of awareness among the students on careers in management and also the absence of iconic institutions such as IIMs offering UG courses in management.
However, in the last five years, enrollment in BBA programs have grown by over 50%, with about 4,300 institutions, 80% of them in private, offering the program in which about 3 lakh students graduate yearly. The increased demand for the program may be attributed to the recent slowdown in placements for engineering graduates, forcing students to look at management as an alternative career option early on.
Challenges faced by management programs
Employability of BBA graduates has been lower than for other professional programs, both in terms of percentage campus placements and salaries offered, possibly due to a mismatch in the skills of the students versus industry expectations. Most recruiters seemed to prefer post-graduates for managerial roles. Due to this, a number of BBA graduates have been forced to pursue post-graduation in management, so much so that in most of the non-IIM Business Schools, about 30% the MBA students are BBA graduates.
A comparative study of the curricula of BBA and MBA of most of the Business Schools reveals that there is significant overlap between the two.
Standalone BBA four-year program formats from IIMs
Besides the traditional three-year BBA degree, in pursuant of NEP-2020, a number institutions have been offering four-year BBA programs, with the option of Honours or research in the fourth year. Recently, IIMs at Sirmaur and Kozhikode launched four-year Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) program, with the first batch starting in 2025.
Students can opt for minors in areas like Economics, Public Policy, AI & ML and will have opportunities for international exchange and internships. IIM Sambalpur offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management and Public Policy. These three programs have fees tags ranging from ₹20-25 lakh for the entire course. It remains to be seen what response is there from students for these.
Five-year integrated BBA-MBA
A significant recent initiative is the introduction of five-year integrated BBA-MBA Integrated Programs in Management (IPM), started by IIM Indore in 2011, making it the first of its kind in India. Followed by its success, it is now offered by six more IIMs (Amritsar, Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Ranchi, Rohtak and Sirmaur).
Besides the IIMs, other reputed central government institutions such as the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kakinada, NALSAR and IIT Mandi are offering it now. Even leading private B Schools such as the T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) Manipal, Nirma University, and NMIMS (in its six campuses) have introduced the program. This rapid adoption of the program by a number of reputed institutions validates the market acceptance of the IPM model.
This dual-degree program is considered to be ideal for bright, ambitious young students who, after Class 12, are interested in taking an early decision regarding a career in management. Admission for the program is through competitive national-level entrance exams such as the Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT), conducted by the IIM Indore, and the Joint Integrated Program in Management Admission Test (JIPMAT), administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), both of which are widely accepted by several other institutions. NMIMS has been selecting its students through the NMIMS Test for Programs after Twelve (NPAT).
In 2024, some 52,000 students appeared for IPMAT and JIPMAT tests and, out of them, about 770 students were selected by the IIMs , which works out a selection ratio of about 1.4%. This is less than the CAT selection ratio for MBA in the IIMs, reflecting stiff competition. It is estimated that about 80,000 students took the NPMSAT test in 2024.
The IIMs follow the typical structure of a 3+2 model wherein the initial three years are dedicated for holistic development of the students through robust foundational inputs in a diverse array of subjects such as Humanities, Literature, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, Psychology, Sociology, Computer programming , alongside 'durable skills' such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and leadership.
As students advance, the curriculum transitions into more specialized, advanced management topics covering Finance, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, Business Analytics and Human Resources. It also strategically integrates core business disciplines with cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Technology. IPM model also avoids the duplication/overlap in the curricula of BBA and MBA.
The varied curriculum approaches by each institute highlight a strategic difference in how different institutions plan for early talent development. IIM Amritsar offers courses in Quantitative Finance and Economics, whereas IIT Mandi offers BBA in Analytics and MBA in Data Science & AI as early specialization .
A distinguishing feature of these programs is their strong emphasis on experiential learning. This is not merely an add-on but an integral part of the pedagogical approach, incorporating elements such as social internships, typically undertaken at the end of the second year, and business internships, usually positioned between the fourth and fifth years. Furthermore, students engage in live projects, field assignments, and simulations, all meticulously designed to prepare them for the complexities and challenges of the real-world business environment.
In the case of the IIMs, the students join the regular MBA students after the first three years. However, in other premier institutions, a separate program structure has been designed for the entire program.
IIMs charge ₹32-40 lakh for the five-year program, whereas other premier institutions charge ₹20-30 lakh for the program. The direct five-year path to management education for Class 12 graduates, bypassing the traditional undergraduate degree and separate MBA entrance examinations, caters to a segment of students who demonstrate early clarity about pursuing a management career.
Career progression and industry perception
Graduates of IPM programs of IIMs participate in the same final placement processes as their postgraduate program (PGP) peers, gaining access to top recruiters across diverse industries. Experience so far shows that the IPM graduates from the IIMs received premium campus placements in the same league as their flagship MBA graduates.
The industry perception of IPM graduates, so far, is largely positive, especially for those from the IIMs, whereas for other premier institutions, the branding is in the making. Though the total financial outlay for the IPM is much higher, compared to the traditional BBA and MBA, the integrated format promises long-term financial benefits to the students by way of earlier entry into a management career and accelerated career progression.
Projected growth in the next three years
As the IT sector goes through the challenges of AI impact on entry-level jobs, a technology-management career could be an attractive future-proof. A rewarding career opportunity will fuel increased demand for the IPM program.
The corporate world is increasingly demanding early-groomed leaders who possess a blend of technology and managerial skills. The IPM curriculum's integration of Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and a focus on data-driven decision-making directly addresses the evolving corporate demands. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and sustainable business practices in MBA programs aligns well with the holistic and socially responsible development fostered by IPM programs.
In response to this demand, there is a clear trend of expansion by educational institutions. In 2025, the number of IPM admissions in the IIMs is expected to grow by a healthy 30% to reach 1,000 and in other reputed institutions to about 3,000. More IIMs such as Lucknow and other premier private universities and Business Schools are expected to introduce the IPM program next year, whereas the existing ones are expected to increase the intake in the next few years.
It is likely that all the IIMs agree on a common entrance test for selection of students, as in the case of the MBA.
Way ahead
Looking ahead, the IPM model is poised for sustained growth, driven by increase in student demand and the corporate sector's need for early-groomed, adaptable tech savvy leaders. For the Business Schools, this presents an attractive opportunity, which they need to seize and structure the IPM in line with industry requirements, and groom the students as per their expectations.
For youngsters interested in a management career, it is an excellent option to get an early entry into industry with accelerated professional growth. Considering most of the managerial jobs may not be affected by AI, IPM can also build a future-proof career for them.
(O. R. S. Rao is the Chancellor of the ICFAI University, Sikkim. Views are personal)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Global Vijayawada diaspora joins hands to uplift ‘golden families' under P4 scheme
Global Vijayawada diaspora joins hands to uplift ‘golden families' under P4 scheme

Time of India

time31 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Global Vijayawada diaspora joins hands to uplift ‘golden families' under P4 scheme

Vijayawada: In a major boost to NTR district's fight against poverty, people from Vijayawada who have settled across the globe are stepping in to support the P4 (People–Public–Private–Partnership for Poverty Reduction) scheme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nearly 900 Non-Resident Vijayawadians (NRVs), known for their active involvement in social service across Andhra Pradesh, are now being encouraged to mentor vulnerable families back home. Recognising their success stories and philanthropic spirit, the NTR district administration is tapping into this global network to assist 'Bangaru Kutumbams' (Golden Families) — economically weaker households identified for upliftment under the P4 policy. Taking this initiative forward, District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha recently held a special meeting with a group of NRVs and members of the PB Siddhartha College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association at the Collectorate. "NRVs are ideal partners in this mission. They've seen success across the world and are now ready to give back to their roots. The P4 policy is a path to eliminate poverty by 2029 by connecting the top 10% of society to uplift the bottom 20%," the collector said. He added that 86,398 golden families have already been identified in the district, of which 30,617 families have been adopted by 3,897 volunteer guides. The administration now hopes that more NRVs will join hands in guiding these families in skill development, employment, self-employment, and access to health services. NRVs including P Suresh, Y Manidhar and Harshasai pledged their involvement in the initiative. P B Siddhartha alumni members Swaroop, A Prashant Chowdhury, G S C Bose, and Sumabindu Atluri also assured their support. Collector Lakshmisha emphasised that this global-local partnership will not only combat poverty but also enhance Vijayawada's identity as a city of entrepreneurship, culture, and compassion.

As tech disrupts business landscape, mid-career execs return to classrooms to acquire new skills
As tech disrupts business landscape, mid-career execs return to classrooms to acquire new skills

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

As tech disrupts business landscape, mid-career execs return to classrooms to acquire new skills

New Delhi: Mid-career working professionals preparing to take up leadership roles are increasingly signing up for MBA programmes at top business schools, as they seek to deepen strategic capabilities and gain new skills to stay relevant when technology constantly reshapes the way companies operate. Some B-schools have also seen an increase in female applicants this year compared with last, said officials at Indian Institutes of Management and the Indian School of Business. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management Data Analytics Design Thinking Operations Management MCA Data Science Public Policy Technology Digital Marketing others Cybersecurity Management Project Management Degree Leadership Data Science Artificial Intelligence Others MBA CXO Finance Healthcare PGDM healthcare Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Learning new skillsets has become essential when leaders are expected to be prepared to quickly respond to changes that emerging technologies are bringing to traditional business models. Meanwhile, corporate India is stepping up efforts to improve gender equality at the management level, inducting more women to leadership roles, a possible reason for the increased female participation in these programmes. IIM-Ahmedabad has seen a 10-15% increase in applications for the one-year full-time MBA (MBA-PGPX) programme in each of the last couple of years, said Amit Karna, the institute's chairperson for the MBA-PGPX programme. The number of women enrolled increased by nearly 45% in the same period. The number of applicants has increased at IIM-Lucknow and IIM-Indore as well. Lucknow has also witnessed an upswing in female candidates, said a spokesperson. Both IIM-Lucknow and IIM-Indore said the profile of executive MBA candidates has evolved significantly in recent years. 'The participants come from various domains with an average age of 34-36 years and an average work experience of 12-14 years,' said IIM-Indore director Himanshu Rai. At IIM Shillong, executive MBA is a full-time one-year residential programme, also known as Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPEx). Enrolments have increased here from 49 in 2023 to 55 in 2025 while the number of female students has almost doubled from eight in 2023 to 15 in 2025, director in-charge Nalini Prabha Tripathi said. In 2023 and 2024, IIM-Shillong had more executives joining from traditional corporate profiles like banking, consulting, engineering. In 2025, it is more of entrepreneurial, cross-functional and digitally fluent professionals, according to dean academics Rohit Joshi at Shillong. IIM-Lucknow is witnessing a greater diversity in industry backgrounds, with professionals from healthcare, IT and entrepreneurship joining alongside those from traditional domains like manufacturing and finance. ISB's PGP MAX, a 15-month global executive MBA equivalent programme, is seeing a consistent interest from industries such as ITeS, professional services, R&D, banking and financial services, government, defence, energy and the public sector. ISB's PGP MAX programme comprises 24 courses structured around eight cross-functional themes and executive coaching, said deputy dean, Academic Programmes, Deepa Mani. 'Notably, candidates from IT, fintech, and engineering backgrounds have successfully pivoted into strategic and product-oriented roles upon completion of the programme,' said Karna of IIM-Ahmedabad. At IIM-Lucknow, 93% of its IPMX Class of 2025 received job offers with the highest CTC touching Rs 53 lakh per annum, the institute said.

Andhra Pradesh government offers final chance for unapproved layout regularisation under amended LRS
Andhra Pradesh government offers final chance for unapproved layout regularisation under amended LRS

The Hindu

time4 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Andhra Pradesh government offers final chance for unapproved layout regularisation under amended LRS

The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a final and time-bound opportunity for regularisation of unapproved layouts and plots across the State, under the amended Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS). The government issued a GO Ms. No. 134 on July 26 to this effect. As per the G.O., only those unapproved layouts and sub-division of plots with registered sale deed/title deed as a plot before June 30, 2025, can submit their applications within 90 days from the date of notification, that is July 26. According to a release from the department of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development, the decision follows persistent representations from citizens, real estate bodies, architects and planning professionals who highlighted the challenges faced due to pending or unfiled applications. It is estimated that over 14,000 unauthorised layouts spanning nearly 78,000 acres have been identified, many of which remain outside the planning framework. The government, through these amendments, aims to bring such layouts into legal compliance, prevent further revenue leakage, and enable structured civic service delivery, the release says. The amended rules clarify that only those plots with registered sale deeds executed on or before June 30, 2025 will be eligible for regularisation. Plot owners must act within 90 days from the date of notification to avail of this one-time opportunity. Incomplete or pending applications from the earlier LRS-2020 phase will also be processed, provided the applicants furnish the required documents or clear dues as per the updated provisions. Applications will be approved or rejected within six months of submission. The department has also confirmed that all pending applications under previous rounds will now be taken up and disposed of immediately. Additionally, new applications can be submitted from August 1 through the official portal at Infrastructure development According to the release, the government has earmarked all funds collected under LRS to be exclusively utilised for infrastructure development in the respective Urban Local Bodies. Roads, water pipelines, drains, street lighting, and civic amenities in these localities will be improved using these proceeds. For application guidelines and details, citizens can visit or contact their local bodies.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store