MBA students at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta can now take a shot at building start-ups without fearing the loss of campus placements, thanks to a new policy aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.
The announcement was made by Director Alok Kumar Rai during the induction ceremony of the institute’s 63rd MBA batch, which comprises 480 students. Addressing the incoming cohort, Rai unveiled the initiative as part of the institute’s efforts to foster innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among future business leaders. The official video of the induction ceremony, where the announcement was made, has also been released by the institute.
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Under the new arrangement, students who opt to spend a year building their start-ups instead of participating in campus placements will be allowed to return to the placement process the following year if their entrepreneurial ventures do not succeed. The move effectively provides a safety net for aspiring entrepreneurs, enabling them to take risks without compromising their long-term career prospects.
The initiative seeks to reduce the opportunity cost often associated with entrepreneurship at premier business schools, where students may hesitate to pursue start-up ideas for fear of missing out on lucrative job offers. By retaining access to placements, students can experiment with innovative business models while keeping conventional career pathways open.
The newly inducted MBA batch reflects a diverse academic and professional background. Around 41% of the students are fresh graduates, while 59% bring prior work experience. Engineering graduates constitute a majority of the cohort, alongside students from commerce, science and humanities streams.
The announcement comes as IIM Calcutta continues to maintain strong placement records. The institute recently achieved 100% placements for its MBA batch, with graduates securing offers across consulting, finance, technology and other sectors.
The new policy signals a broader shift in management education, where leading institutions are increasingly encouraging entrepreneurship alongside traditional corporate careers. By allowing students to build start-ups without forfeiting placement opportunities, IIM Calcutta aims to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.