We Are Cultivating Social Intelligence: IIM Ranchi Director

IIM Ranchi is committed to support excellence in management education and research that positively impacts people, organisations and society. How have the four pillars viz. education, impactful research, social impact and international collaboration, been inducted for achieving excellence and standing out from the crowd?
IIM Ranchi has prepared a strategic plan, IIM Ranchi@2030, that defines a clear path for the future by focusing on four key priorities: Education, Impactful Research, Social Impact and International Collaboration. Guided by its motto, Bahumukhvikaso Gantavya (बहुमुखविकासो गन्तव्य), which signifies the pursuit of multifaceted and holistic development, the institute has undertaken a range of initiatives aligned with these strategic priorities.

Education  
The institute ensures the relevance of its curriculum by regularly updating it to align with evolving industry trends. The curriculum also emphasizes contemporary subjects such as Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Sustainability, ensuring the institute remains at the forefront of management education.

Institute offers a variety of multidisciplinary courses that nurture students' ability to integrate knowledge from diverse functional domains of management.

Course outlines are meticulously revised to incorporate real-world business challenges and session-specific discussion questions, fostering critical thinking among students. A notable update to the course structure involves beginning each session with a business problem, enabling students to better understand challenges and apply solution-based approaches through various methods, tools and frameworks.

Additionally, students earn credits for live projects they undertake, enhancing their practical learning experience. A uniquely designed course on social impact is also offered to cultivate social intelligence and a sense of responsibility among students.

Impactful Research  
In the 2023-24 academic year, IIM Ranchi achieved its highest number of publications, with 173 journal articles, up from 130 in FY 2022-23. Notably, 40 per cent of these publications were in A* and A category journals according to the ABDC journal quality list.

The institution is committed to impactful research that addresses real-world challenges and contributes to societal development. Faculty publications contribute directly to businesses, consumers, government and society while aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, research on employee wellbeing and mobile health applications supports Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), while studies on new technology implementation align with Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9). Work on resource optimisation and clean energy initiatives maps to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7).

Social Impact
IIM Ranchi actively contributes to social impact through a range of initiatives aimed at fostering community wellbeing and holistic development. These include Human Connect, Community Connect, Drum Circles, Human Libraries, Soul Carnivals, Happiness and mindfulness sessions and more.

Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, the institute is driving sustainable development in Rasabeda village through initiatives such as comprehensive village surveys to address local challenges, water management systems, eco-tourism development, agricultural advancements and livelihood training programmes.

Additionally, the institution has launched the Young Changemakers Programme (YCP) to immerse students in social issues through rural immersion boot camps. By offering hands-on experiences and honing problem-solving skills through management techniques, the programme empowers young participants with the tools and knowledge needed to address critical social challenges.

Internationalisation  
The institute has hosted many faculty members from different countries. The institute has signed MOUs with renowned international universities and B-Schools to facilitate student exchange programmes, fostering cross-cultural learning.

What are the different courses/programmes being offered by the institution? Is there any specific course that you want to highlight?
IIM Ranchi offers a diverse portfolio of programs, including the MBA, MBA in Business Analytics (MBA-BA), MBA in Human Resource Management (MBA-HRM), Executive MBA, PhD, Executive PhD and the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM).

Among these, the IPM, MBA-BA and MBA-HRM programmes stand out for their distinct focus areas. IPM offers a five-year journey from undergraduate to postgraduate education, allowing students to join IIM Ranchi directly after Class XII. This programme builds a strong foundation in management and leadership, preparing students for dynamic careers.

MBA-BA programme addresses the growing demand for analytics expertise, equipping students with advanced skills in AI, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making.

How is IIM Ranchi performing in national and international rankings? How these rankings are important for institutional sustainability?
The institution has solidified its reputation as a leading B-school in the country, achieving significant milestones in 2024. The institute climbed to the 17th position in the NIRF rankings 2024, while securing impressive positions in other prestigious rankings: 7th by Outlook-ICARE 2025 and 15th by both IIRF 2024 and Careers360 2025. Meanwhile, the institute is actively progressing in its accreditation process, further enhancing its global standing.

What are the different initiatives and commitments of the three centres i.e. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre for Leadership, Policy and Governance, Birsa Munda Centre for Tribal Affairs and the Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness, for social impact and outreach?
The three centers at IIM Ranchi—Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre for Leadership, Policy, and Governance; Birsa Munda Centre for Tribal Affairs and Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness — serve as key drivers of the institute’s strategic priority of creating social impact.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre advances leadership development and policy research, with faculty leading initiatives to address societal challenges through innovative public policies and governance frameworks.

Birsa Munda Centre focuses on empowering tribal communities by promoting entrepreneurship through impactful research, policy advocacy and targetted training programmes.

Rekhi Centre for the Science of Happiness emphasises mental wellbeing and emotional resilience, offering initiatives like the Science of Happiness course to support holistic growth in individuals and communities. These efforts are complemented by the establishment of a state-of-the-art Mind Lab on campus.

How is your view, that AI is impacting management education?
AI is revolutionising management education by enhancing learning experiences, making them more personalised and practical. IIM Ranchi has adopted an AI policy for both faculty and students to harness the power of this transformation. By integrating AI into its academic structure, the institute aims to equip students to excel in a technology-driven business environment. This approach ensures that students are future-ready, capable of driving innovation and well-prepared to tackle complex, data-driven business challenges in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Upasana .

BW Reporters The author works as a Senior Copy Editor with BW Businessworld and currently handles the education vertical. She has done her Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (NER Campus, Aizawl).