The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode released registration data for Common Admission Test (CAT) 2012 on Monday. The data revealed that the number of girls registering for CAT 2012 has increased by 8.6% as opposed to the number of boys which has only increased by 2.6%. Most b-schools, though, do not see this as a very significant factor. Prof Pankaj Sinha, coordinator for admissions, Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), New Delhi, says, “It is not important whether the number of girls registering for CAT 2012 has increased. The ultimate thing is the number of girls selected for the programs at various b-schools. At FMS, the number of girls in our program has decreased. So, inclusiveness should be a part of the selection process.” Abbasali Gabula, deputy director, external relations and administration, S P Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai concurs, “It is not a significant increase. But it indicates that girls are looking at careers after graduation and hence interest in further studies.”

Prof P Rameshan, director, IIM Rohtak, believes that the increase is a good sign. He says, “All the IIMs wanted more gender diversity and they have got more numbers this year. Now, these girls have to perform well for this factor to make an impact. This trend has to be sustainable. But I am optimistic about it.”

However, there is an increase of 43% in the number of registered candidates with a work experience of 2-3 years. Till last year, the balance was tilted more in the favour of freshers or candidates with a work experience of less than 6 months. Dr. Arun Mohan Sherry, chairman, Joint Admissions Committee, Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad says, “This is important as it implies that quality of students at b-schools will improve. Learning will become more interesting. It will also be easy to teach these students since they have some amount of industry experience. They will also have a better understanding of what they learn in b-schools. This sure is a positive development.” Prof Sinha also believes that this will improve the classroom environment in b-schools.

Mr. Gabula sees this as a continuing trend. “These numbers would keep increasing since this is what is happening in b-schools around the world.” But Prof Rameshan attributes this to the economy going through a lull period. “Right now, there aren’t many job opportunities with lucrative packages on offer to the students. The opportunity cost for pursuing an MBA is less. Hence, people with work experience are pursuing management programs,” says Prof. Rameshan.

The total number of registrations for CAT 2012 has increased by 4.2% to stand at 2,14,068 this year. So, does it mean that there is a rejuvenated interest in management programs? “No,” says Dr. Sherry. “An increase of +/-5% should be discounted. It does not mean that the craze for MBA is increasing in India.” Prof Anita Basalingappa, admissions chairperson, Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) offers an interesting perspective. She says, “At a time when b-schools all over India are shutting down, the increase in registrations indicate that students want quality education from good b-schools. Also, this shows that if students do not get admission in a good b-school, there are willing to come back and take CAT again next year.” Prof Rameshan, however, disagrees and says that this might not be indicative of a trend. He says, “When the economy starts doing well again and opportunities increase, the applicants would want to be in the job market rather than study.” Prof Sinha adds, “If you compare the data only with last year, it is an unfair reading. You should compare it over 3-5 years to get a better understanding.” Mr. Gabula further adds, “We had 2.85 lakh students taking the exam in 2008 so the figure of CAT takers is actually down substantially.”

Incidentally, the total number of registrations for CAT 2009 was 2,41,582 which dropped by 15.4% to 2,04,267 in 2010 and saw a marginal increase of 0.49% to 2,05,345 in 2011.