IIM Calcutta welcomes MBA 63rd batch, unveils new start-up support initiative

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta has officially welcomed its 63rd MBA batch, bringing together 480 students from across India. The inauguration ceremony, held on June 12, marked the beginning of the academic journey for a diverse cohort representing 22 states and two Union Territories. The event was attended by faculty members, industry leaders and alumni, with bajaj finserv asset management managing director and IIM Calcutta alumnus Ganesh Mohan joining as the chief guest.

The new batch reflects a mix of academic backgrounds and professional experiences. While engineering graduates account for more than half of the class, students from commerce, science, arts and other streams also form a significant part of the cohort. Around 41 per cent are fresh graduates, while the remaining students have prior work experience.

The diversity of backgrounds and experiences is expected to enrich classroom discussions and peer learning throughout the programme.

New policy encourages student entrepreneurs

One of the key announcements at the inauguration came from IIM Calcutta director Alok Kumar Rai, who unveiled a new initiative aimed at supporting students interested in entrepreneurship. Under the policy, MBA students can choose to skip campus placements and spend a year working on their start-up ideas.

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What makes the initiative notable is the flexibility it offers. Students who decide later that they would like to pursue corporate opportunities will still be allowed to sit for campus placements the following year, giving them a safety net while exploring entrepreneurship.

Scholarships and campus support

Earlier in the day, students also heard from Pranav Adani, managing director of adani enterprises, who attended the orientation programme as the guest of honour. Drawing from his own professional experiences, he urged students to remain resilient, responsible and focused on continuous improvement.

She also announced that the Adani group would continue its Adani Accelerated Leadership Programme (AALP) , under which six meritorious MBA students at IIM Calcutta will receive full-fee scholarships annually for the next two years. The announcement was accompanied by the signing of an agreement between the institute and the Adani Group, reaffirming their ongoing collaboration.

In another initiative aimed at improving student life, the group announced the donation of 200 bicycles for MBA students to support easier mobility across the campus.

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Students to Explore Kolkata’s Heritage

As part of orientation week, the institute has planned a special city tour to help newcomers become familiar with Kolkata’s rich cultural and historical landscape. According to MBA programme chairperson Partha Priya Datta, the tour has been designed to introduce students to the city that will be their home during the next two years.

During the freshers’ welcome ceremony, Ganesh Mohan also encouraged students to stay adaptable and embrace lifelong learning in a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence. He stressed the importance of remaining open to new opportunities and evolving career paths.