IIM Ahmedabad Business Analytics & AI MBA 2026–28: Fees, Eligibility & Admission

Programme Overview

IIM Ahmedabad's Blended MBA in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (MBA-BPGP: BA & AI) is a two-year, degree-granting MBA designed for professionals and entrepreneurs who want to combine management, analytics and artificial intelligence.

The programme is offered in a blended format, allowing participants to continue working or running their ventures while studying. It combines live Direct-to-Device learning with curated in-person modules at IIMA.

What makes this programme different? It is not a conventional data-science degree. IIMA combines business management, analytics and AI, with the objective of helping professionals translate analytical findings into business decisions and leadership actions.

Duration

2 Years

Format

Blended

Degree

MBA

Focus

Business Analytics & AI

Eligibility for MBA-BPGP: BA & AI

Bachelor's Degree

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, or CA / CS / ICWA / CMA or equivalent qualification, in any discipline.

A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in the terminal degree is required.

Work Experience

For the 2026–28 admission cycle, candidates with a three-year graduation required at least three years of full-time work experience after graduation.

Candidates with a four-year graduation required at least two years of full-time work experience.

Applicant Profile

IIMA designed the programme for working professionals and entrepreneurs who want to combine business management with analytics and AI.

Important: The work-experience cut-off for the 2026–28 admission cycle was March 31, 2026. Future batches may use a different cut-off date.

Admission & Selection Process

Step 1 — Entrance Score

Applicants could apply using a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score. Candidates without one of these conventional scores could opt for the IIMA Admission Test for BPGP: BA & AI.

Step 2 — Shortlisting

Candidates were shortlisted for the Personal Interview using the applicable standardized test score or the IIMA Admission Test score.

Step 3 — Personal Interview

Shortlisted applicants were interviewed by an IIMA faculty panel.

What IIMA Evaluates

Analytical ability
Academic background
Quality of professional experience
Potential for professional success

Selection is not based only on an entrance score. IIMA's admission process combines the test score with the Personal Interview and assessment of the candidate's academic and professional profile.

CAT / GMAT / GRE / IIMA Admission Test

Route	Accepted?	Key Information
CAT	Yes	Valid CAT score within IIMA's stated five-year validity period.
GMAT	Yes	GMAT Classic and GMAT Focus Edition scores were accepted.
GRE	Yes	Valid GRE score within the applicable five-year validity window.
IIMA Admission Test	Yes	IIMA conducted a dedicated admission test for candidates without conventional CAT/GMAT/GRE scores.

IIMA Admission Test Pattern

The BPGP: BA & AI Admission Test was a 90-minute management aptitude test.

Quantitative Aptitude
Analytical Reasoning
Verbal Aptitude

2026–28 Admission Status

Admission cycle concluded. IIMA's 2026–28 BPGP: BA & AI admission rounds were conducted between October 2025 and February 2026. The institute subsequently welcomed the inaugural 2026–28 batch in April 2026.

Activity	Round 1	Round 2
Application Portal Opens	October 21, 2025	December 9, 2025
Application Deadline	December 7, 2025	January 25, 2026
IIMA Admission Test	December 14, 2025	February 1, 2026
Shortlist	December 17, 2025	February 4, 2026
Interviews	December 20–28, 2025	February 7–15, 2026
Final Selection	January 2, 2026	February 20, 2026

Fees & Financial Aid

Total Programme Fee

₹20 lakh

CAT / GMAT / GRE Application Fee

₹2,000

IIMA Admission Test Fee

₹5,000

Campus Module Costs

Extra

Important fee note: The ₹20 lakh programme fee excludes travel and accommodation costs for the campus modules and costs related to International Immersion.

Fee Payment Structure

Payment	Amount
First Commitment Fee	₹1,00,000
1st Instalment	₹3,00,000
2nd Instalment	₹4,00,000
3rd Instalment	₹4,00,000
4th Instalment	₹4,00,000
5th Instalment	₹2,00,000
6th Instalment	₹2,00,000

Financing

IIMA states that several banks offer education-loan options for admitted students. The institute lists banks including Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India and IDFC First Bank.

Curriculum

The programme combines business management principles with analytical methods, AI and applied projects. The curriculum is spread across six terms.

Term I

Probability & Statistics, R & Python, Data Management, Optimization, Business Analytics & AI, Digital Transformation, Economics, Finance & Accounting.

Term II

Regression Models, EDA & Visualization, Machine Learning & AI foundations, HR & OB, Strategy, Marketing, Operations and Capstone initiation.

Term III

Advanced Machine Learning & AI, Time-Series Forecasting, Databases, Communication of Analytical Findings, Digital Strategies, Gen AI and Agentic AI.

Term IV

Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, Decision-making under Uncertainty, Simulation and electives.

Term V

Analytics Project Lifecycle, Action Learning Project proposal, Responsible AI and electives.

Term VI

Action Learning Projects in Analytics & AI and elective courses.

One-year exit option: IIMA provides a one-year exit option leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI. Participants can later return to complete the programme and graduate with the MBA degree.

Learning Format

Direct-to-Device Learning

Live online learning allows working professionals and entrepreneurs to continue their regular professional commitments while studying.

On-Campus Modules

The programme includes three curated in-person modules at IIM Ahmedabad.

Case Method

IIMA's case-based pedagogy is combined with simulations, lectures, supervised projects, peer learning and self-study.

Capstone Projects

Participants work on applied projects that connect analytics and AI concepts with business problems.

Action Learning

The later part of the programme includes action-learning projects in Analytics & AI.

IIMA Resources

Participants receive remote access to IIMA's learning resources including the Vikram Sarabhai Library and computing infrastructure.

2026–28 Batch Profile

The inaugural BPGP: BA & AI batch provides the most useful indication of the type of professionals currently attracted to the programme.

Batch Size

71

Average Work Experience

7 Years 4 Months

Male Students

55

Female Students

16

Professional Background

The inaugural cohort includes professionals from BFSI, IT, consulting, academia and education, retail and e-commerce, biotech and healthcare, among other sectors.

What the first batch tells prospective students: This is an early-career to mid-career professional programme rather than a fresh-graduate MBA. The peer group is already bringing substantial work experience into the classroom.

Career Scope

IIMA positions the programme for professionals who want to combine business leadership with analytics and AI. The programme is intended to help participants make data-driven decisions, lead AI-enabled transformation and work across business functions.

Analytics Leadership

Relevant for professionals moving towards analytics-led business decision-making and management responsibilities.

AI & Digital Transformation

Suitable for professionals working on AI adoption, digital transformation and technology-enabled business change.

Product & Strategy

The programme can support professionals working at the intersection of product, strategy, data and technology.

Marketing & Customer Analytics

Analytics applications extend into marketing, customer insights and data-driven decision-making.

Finance & Risk

The curriculum includes finance alongside analytics, creating scope for data-driven financial and risk applications.

Operations & Supply Chain

Analytics and AI can also be applied to operations, supply-chain digitisation and business process improvement.

Important placement caveat: This programme is relatively new and its inaugural batch joined in 2026. Therefore, a mature placement history or long-term salary trend should not yet be presented as established evidence.

Who Should Apply?

Working Professionals

Professionals who want to continue working while gaining formal management, analytics and AI education.

Technology & Analytics Professionals

A strong fit for professionals who already understand technology or analytics and want to move towards business leadership.

Product & Digital Professionals

Relevant for product managers, digital professionals and consultants dealing with data-driven transformation.

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs can use the programme to combine business management with analytics and AI capabilities.

Who Should Think Twice Before Choosing This Programme?

Fresh graduates looking for their first management qualification.
Professionals who specifically want a traditional full-time residential MBA experience.
Candidates expecting a pure technical data-science or machine-learning programme.
Professionals who do not have enough work experience to meet the programme's eligibility requirements.
Candidates primarily choosing the programme for the IIMA brand without a clear analytics, AI or digital-business career objective.

Realistic view: This programme makes the most sense when you want to combine management with analytics and AI while continuing your professional journey.

FAQs

Is Business Analytics & AI a full MBA?

Yes. IIMA describes MBA-BPGP: BA & AI as a two-year degree-granting MBA programme delivered in blended mode.

Can I continue working while studying?

Yes. The programme is specifically designed for working professionals and entrepreneurs, using blended and technology-enabled learning.

What entrance exams are accepted?

For the 2026–28 admission cycle, IIMA accepted CAT, GMAT and GRE scores. Candidates could also take the dedicated IIMA Admission Test for BPGP: BA & AI.

What is the programme fee?

IIMA listed the total programme fee at ₹20 lakh for the 2026–28 cycle, excluding travel and accommodation for campus modules and costs related to International Immersion.

Is there an exit option after one year?

Yes. IIMA provides a one-year exit option leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics and AI. Participants can later return to complete the MBA degree.

Is this a pure data-science programme?

No. The programme combines business management, analytics and AI. Its objective is to help professionals apply analytical and AI capabilities to business decisions and leadership.

How large is the first batch?

The inaugural 2026–28 batch consists of 71 professionals.

Does IIMA already have long-term placement data for this programme?

The programme's inaugural batch joined in 2026, so a long-term placement history should not yet be treated as established evidence.

Official Sources

This page uses IIMA's official programme, admissions, curriculum, fee and inaugural-batch information. Admission dates and fees can change for future batches and should be checked against IIMA's latest official notification.