Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad: Crafting Leadership Since 1961Â
A Vision Born from Collaboration
IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) emerged in December 1961 through a robust partnership involving the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, visionary industrialists like Kasturbhai Lalbhai, and the legendary physicist Vikram Sarabhai. The banking structure and early academic framework were shaped by Ravi J. Matthai, who became the first full-time director, and Kamla Chowdhary, the institute’s pioneering faculty member
A Campus That Speaks VolumesÂ
Its striking red-brick architecture, conceived by world-renowned architect Louis Kahn, does more than house institutions—it inspires. Beyond its aesthetic allure, the campus embodies a philosophy where form meets purpose, offering spaces that encourage introspection, creativity, and collaboration.Â
A Legacy of Academic Rigor and Innovation
IIMA’s pedagogy emphasizes learning by doing. Its approach—rich in case studies and real-world problem-solving—echoes the philosophies of global business schools like Harvard, but with an unmistakable Indian soul.
Under the first director, Ravi J. Matthai, the institute adopted a triadic focus on teaching, research, and consulting, ensuring faculty autonomy, academic freedom, and a faculty-governed structure for admissions and governance.
Beyond the Classroom: Centers That Shape the FutureÂ
IIMA actively bridges theory with application through research and entrepreneurial centers. Notably, the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), now known as CIIE.CO, began in 2002 and has grown into a cornerstone of startup incubation and sustainable enterprise support.
A Community with Purpose
Life at IIM Ahmedabad is fueled by both academic excellence and social responsibility. Initiatives like Prayaas and SMILE engage students in grassroots education and upliftment, fostering a spirit of empathy alongside intellectual growth.Â
Global Recognition & RankingsÂ
IIMA’s prowess is more than legacy—it’s a consistently validated reality. The institute was ranked the top B-school in India by NIRF for 2024 and continues to hold the top spot in 2025. Additionally, evidence of a deliberate push toward academic diversity is seen in the current PGP cohort, where over 50% of students hail from non-engineering backgrounds.
Scholarships that EmpowerÂ
Broadening access to elite management education, Infosys co-founder N. R. Narayana Murthy has instituted a 20-year, inflation-adjusted scholarship fully covering tuition, accommodation, and mess charges for PGP students.
Moreover, IIMA’s global impact continues to grow. It’s expanding beyond India with its first international campus set to launch in Dubai in September 2025, marking the institute’s ambitious foray into global business education hubs.
Alumni Who Define Excellence
The institute’s alumni roster reads like a hall of fame—leaders across domains:Â
Raghuram Rajan – Former Governor of RBI, globally respected economist
Deep Kalra – Founder & Chairman of MakeMyTrip, digital pioneer
Shikha Sharma – Former MD & CEO, Axis Bank, celebrated for leadership in finance
C. K. Prahalad, Srikant Datar, Gautam Kaul – Academic stalwarts and business thinkers shaping global discourse
Why IIMA Resonates DeeplyÂ
Heritage Meets Modernity
From its inception rooted in visionary thinking to continuously setting benchmarks in modern management education, IIMA blends tradition with innovation.
Leadership That Nurtures Leaders
With a faculty-first governance model and hands-on pedagogy, IIMA prepares leaders who can think analytically, act ethically, and serve society.
Inclusive and Evolving
Through scholarships and diversity initiatives, it ensures excellence is accessible and perspectives are varied—making future decisions richer and more grounded.
India’s Global Classroom
With a new Dubai campus and global alumni footprint, IIMA increasingly resembles a nexus for cross-cultural learning and leadership.
In sum, IIM Ahmedabad stands as a testament to the transformative power of education—where architectural elegance, academic rigor, social conscience, and global ambition converge. Whether you’re a prospective student, alum, or academic explorer, IIMA continues to inspire—from red-brick corridors in Ahmedabad to emerging hubs around the world.