NDIM, established in 1992, has been recognized as the “Best Management Institute of India” for ‘Industry  Linkages’ three years in a row which has never happened in the history of management education. This recognition was given by the AICTE and CII after nationwide surveys of all AICTE approved technical and higher education institutions across India under 19  parameters. NDIM is the 1st and the only “Mentor Institute” in India in the Management category declared by the AICTE and CII. The institute offers AICTE-approved, nationally and internationally accredited PGDM, which has been declared MBA equivalent by the AIU and AICTE in 8 Futuristic Dual Specializations: AI-ML & Data Science, Digital Marketing, Operations & SCM, HR, Marketing, Finance, Treasury & Investment Management and Financial Analytics, International Business. NDIM is also among the few institutions approved by the AICTE  for PGDM in Entrepreneurship-Innovation & Venture Development. NDIM has received several accolades, including being rated among the best MBA schools of India by KPMG and PwC. The institute is Internationally Accredited by ASIC, U.K. since 2014 as a Premier B-School with 80+ faculty members drawn from more than 332 industrial houses and 34 international universities. Its distinguished Board comprises of 7 Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awardees. Led by former Union Minister and ex-Sherpa of Prime Minister Modi, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, 5 credible industrial houses of India along with former Supreme Court judge and Chairman of UPSC handhold NDIM supported by 6 former Secretaries, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, and the Chairman of the Competition Commission of India.

NDIM’s Chairman Mr Vishwa Mohan Bansal is in conversation with Business and Diplomatic Editor Yogesh Sood

Please take us through some of the history of the NDIM since the time it was established…

NDIM was set up in 1992 by the freedom fighter and the senior-most member of the UPSC Jaswant Rai Bansal, and distinguished Judges of the Supreme Court of India, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Chairman of the UPSC, Vice Chancellor, BHU and Nalanda Open Universities, and top civil servants of India, as their humble pay back to the nation, taking their decades of learning to the next generation of business entrepreneurs. These highly acclaimed leaders, known for their immense knowledge, vast global connect and unparalleled learning, who were the role models for the world in different spheres for over 50 years, laid the foundations of NDIM with the vision of raising the bar of management education to global standards and help in nation building.  Initially, NDIM focused on coaching students for civil services, bank exams and various job-related examinations recognizing that India’s post-colonial progress wasn’t reaching everyone. However, seeing the deep commitment of the founders, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi invited Mr. Bansal to establish a top quality business school. Financial limitations restricted the size of the campus and the founder Chairman had sought only 1,000 sq. mts. of land allotted against the offer of 5 acres by Delhi’s Lt. Governor in 1996. Mr. Bansal, with the support of founder Dean Mr. Manab Adhikari, was flooded with admission requests because of their passion and commitment to education even when the building was under construction. This spirit of excellence has continued to define NDIM’s journey for the last 32 years and the institution has experienced remarkable growth. Today, NDIM enrolls one of the highest sanctioned strengths for any standalone autonomous AICTE institution – 540 students annually, with over 1,000 more in training. While many business schools across India struggle for proper admissions, NDIM continues to thrive on its unwavering vision, coupled with dedication and hard work earning it recognition as the first and only Mentor B-School of the country by the AICTE, Government of India.

Could you please elaborate on the Dual Specialization concept?

See, Dual Specialization concept is designed to provide students with a competitive edge by allowing them to master two distinct fields of expertise simultaneously. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, professionals are expected to be versatile, with a broad range of skills that cut across multiple disciplines. At NDIM, dual specialization in eight areas promotes cross-functional thinking, further broadening our students’ perspectives. This allows our students to blend their primary passion with additional areas of interest, resulting in a more holistic educational experience. For example, a student pursuing MBA Marketing as a primary specialization can also have an MBA in valuable skills of Data Analytics or Finance, making them more attractive to employers who are looking for professionals with cross-functional expertise. This also helps strengthen their first specialization skills.

As an institution, by offering dual specialization, we empower NDIM students to tailor their education according to their career aspirations and the demands of the industries they are aiming for. This also enhances their employability by broadening the scope of roles they can pursue post their MBA. Furthermore, our curriculum is designed in consultation with industry experts and is continuously updated to reflect global trends, ensuring that students gain relevant and future-ready skills in 2 specializations.