IIMs After Class 12: A New Era of Management Education in India
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IIMs After Class 12: A New Era of Management Education in India
If you thought IIMs were only for postgraduates who’ve cracked the CAT, think again. In recent years, many IIMs have opened their doors to students straight out of school, offering undergraduate and integrated programs that blend management education with early career shaping. For students, parents, and school counselors, this is a game-changing shift in India’s higher education landscape.
First, a quick refresher: How many IIMs are there?
India currently has 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), broadly grouped into three categories:
• First-Generation IIMs: These include the oldest and most established ones like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore.
• Second-Generation IIMs: Launched between 2008 and 2011, including IIM Ranchi, Rohtak, Raipur, Udaipur, and Trichy.
• New or Third-Generation IIMs: Established post-2015, such as IIM Amritsar, Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Sirmaur, Nagpur, and others.
These IIMs have traditionally focused on MBA programs. But that’s changing.
IIM Indore: The Pioneer
Back in 2011, IIM Indore broke new ground by launching the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) — a five-year course where students earn a BA (Foundations of Management) followed by an MBA. The idea was simple yet powerful: why wait until after graduation to groom future leaders?
Then came a long pause.
In 2019, IIM Rohtak became the second IIM to jump in with its own 5-year IPM. Since then, the momentum has picked up. As of today, 9 IIMs offer management programs right after school, either as full-fledged dual-degree IPMs or standalone undergraduate programs like BBA or BMS.
So, what exactly are the options?
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s on offer:
• IIM Indore: 5-year IPM, BA + MBA. Selection via IPMAT.
• IIM Rohtak: 5-year IPM, BBA + MBA. Selection via IPMAT-Rohtak.
• IIM Bodh Gaya: 5-year IPM, BBA + MBA. Selection via JIPMAT.
• IIM Jammu: 5-year IPM, BBA + MBA. Selection via JIPMAT.
• IIM Ranchi: 5-year IPM, BBA + MBA. Selection via IPMAT.
• IIM Kozhikode: 4-year BMS program. Selection via IIMK-BMS-AT.
• IIM Bangalore: 3-year online BBA in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship. Selection via IIMB-BBA-DBE Entrance Test.
• IIM Sirmaur: 4-year BMS. Selection via IPMAT.
• IIM Amritsar: 5-year IPM, B.Sc. in Quant Finance & Economics + MBA. Selection via IPMAT.
IIM Shillong is also expected to launch its program soon.
Why are IIMs offering these programs now?
Well, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has nudged many institutions toward multidisciplinary, flexible education models. But let’s be honest — there’s also a strong financial incentive. Undergraduate programs provide a steady revenue stream in the face of rising operational costs. Moreover, these programs help IIMs build a talent pipeline early on.
From an academic perspective, it’s a win-win: students get early exposure to top-tier education, and institutes nurture talent from the ground up.
What about the fees?
Brace yourselves. These programs are not light on the wallet. Here’s an approximate estimate of the total 5-year or full-program fee:
• IIM Indore: Rs.38.3 Lakhs
• IIM Rohtak: Rs.36.6 Lakhs
• IIM Bodh Gaya: Rs.33.6 Lakhs
• IIM Jammu: Rs.39.3 Lakhs
• IIM Ranchi: Rs.36.2 Lakhs
• IIM Kozhikode (BMS): Rs.28.5 Lakhs
• IIM Bangalore (BBA in DBE): Rs.4.5 Lakhs
• IIM Sirmaur (BMS): Rs.22.7 Lakhs
• IIM Amritsar: Rs.38.8 Lakhs
Note: For IPM programs, only the UG (first 3 years) fee is officially published. The numbers above add the prevailing MBA fee of the respective IIMs to estimate the total cost. Actual fee may vary slightly.
Is it worth it?
Let’s weigh the pros and cons:
Pros:
• No need to go through the stress of CAT later. These IPMs take you straight to an MBA.
• Same faculty, same curriculum as flagship MBA programs.
• Early exposure to real-world skills, internships, and campus life.
• Highly reputed brand — an IIM tag on your resume is no small thing.
Cons:
• It’s a big financial commitment early in life. Not everyone can (or should) stretch so much.
• Career goals at 17 may evolve. What if you want to pivot after 2 years?
• The job market is changing fast with AI and tech disruption — what’s hot today may be irrelevant in 2029.
So, what should parents and students do?
If you’re exploring these programs, go in with your eyes open:
• Don’t join just because it’s an IIM.
• Understand what the curriculum offers and whether it aligns with your interests.
• Consider whether your family is financially prepared for the fee burden.
• Look at exit options. Programs like IIM Bangalore’s BBA (DBE) offer flexibility to exit with a certificate or diploma.
And before we wrap up...
A few other institutes like NALSAR, IIFT, and NIRMA have also entered the IPM space. We’ll be covering them in a separate blog post soon, so stay tuned!
For exam details, sample papers, and eligibility criteria for each of these IIM programs, head over to the Opasis IIM Exams Page.
Choosing the right path after school is never easy, but understanding your options makes all the difference.
About the Author : Neelesh is an expert student advisor, counselor and the co-founder of Opasis
Keywords : IIM after class 12 programs, Integrated management programs in India, IIM IPM entrance exam details, BBA from IIM after 12th, IIM undergraduate courses fees and eligibility, Best IIMs offering UG courses after school, IIM BMS and BBA program comparison, 5
