TLDR: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has launched a pioneering two-year Blended MBA Programme in Business Analytics & AI, designed for professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to integrate advanced analytical and AI-driven capabilities with leadership and management expertise. This program addresses the surging demand for AI-ready professionals in India’s rapidly expanding data-AI ecosystem.
Ahmedabad, November 6, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), a leading management institution in India, today announced the launch of its innovative two-year Blended MBA Programme in Business Analytics & AI. This first-of-its-kind degree-granting program is tailored for professionals and entrepreneurs aiming to merge cutting-edge analytical and artificial intelligence skills with strategic leadership and management acumen.
The launch event, held at the IIMA campus, saw the presence of key figures including Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA; Prof. Diptesh Ghosh, Dean (Programmes), IIMA; and Prof. Anindya Chakrabarti, Chairperson, Blended MBA: Business Analytics & AI, IIMA. The institute emphasized that the program underscores its commitment to developing future-ready management professionals capable of leveraging advanced data-analytical and AI frameworks to drive significant business impact.
Addressing Market Demand and India’s AI Leadership:
The introduction of this program comes at a crucial time when markets are increasingly relying on data-led decisions and AI is becoming deeply embedded across various value chains. Professionals are actively seeking skills to build intelligent, productive, and growth-oriented organizations. India’s data-AI ecosystem is experiencing robust growth, with the country’s data analytics market projected to reach USD 21,286.4 million by 2030, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 35.8% between 2025 and 2030. Furthermore, the 2024 BCG–NASSCOM Report highlights India’s global leadership in AI talent, predicting that the demand for AI-ready professionals will exceed one million by 2026. This growth is fueled by the exponential generation of data and the rapid integration of AI/ML into big data platforms and applications.
Program Structure and Curriculum:
Delivered in a blended format, the program combines live, Direct-to-Device learning with three intensive on-campus modules at IIM Ahmedabad, fostering robust peer interaction and guided by esteemed faculty. The two-year curriculum is structured across three terms per year, offering an advanced integration of business management, analytics, and AI through case-based discussions, capstone projects, and action-learning initiatives.
Participants will have the flexibility to choose from 20 electives covering diverse areas such as Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics, Product Management, Finance and Risk Management, Human–AI Collaboration and Change Management, AI Ethics, Policy & Regulation, Supply Chain Digitization, Generative AI, and Agentic AI. IIMA’s renowned case method will be central to the learning experience, bringing real-world strategic and operational challenges into the virtual classroom.
Leadership Perspectives:
Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, stated, “Analytics and AI are no longer peripheral enablers; they are at the core of how enterprises compete, innovate, and create stakeholder value. This program creates a rigorous pathway for ambitious managers and entrepreneurs to acquire high-impact skills, master AI-enabled business models, and lead digital transitions responsibly and at scale.”
Prof. Diptesh Ghosh, Dean (Programmes), IIMA, added, “This blended MBA develops leaders who solve cross-functional problems with data, AI, and sound managerial judgment. Learners build multidisciplinary capability, translate analytics into outcomes, and progress confidently in tech-driven contexts.”
Prof. Anindya Chakrabarti, Chairperson of the program, elaborated on the architecture: “This two-year blended MBA unites IIM Ahmedabad’s general-management rigor with advanced technical depth in analytics and AI. We teach learners to frame problems in data-first terms, apply sophisticated toolkits, and lead responsible AI adoption across sectors. Participants learn to convert analysis into superior decisions and to rethink how they design and implement business solutions for impact.”
Eligibility and Admissions:
Also Read:
- IIDE Introduces Professional Certification in AI Strategy Amidst Surging Demand for AI Talent in India
- Artificial Intelligence Dominates New Tech Hiring Landscape in India
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree, CA, CS, ICWA, CMA, or an equivalent qualification in any discipline, with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA from a recognized university. Working professionals and entrepreneurs need a minimum of three years of full-time experience after a three-year graduation (10+2+3+3) or two years after a four-year graduation (10+2+4+2), as of March 31, 2026. Candidates can submit a valid CAT/GMAT/GRE score (taken within the last five years, not earlier than January 1, 2021) or appear for the Round-1 IIMA Admission Test for BPGP: BA & AI, scheduled for December 14, 2025. Successful participants will become part of IIMA’s globally recognized alumni network.
