In a first of its kind, for any management department of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Department of Management Studies (DoMS), IIT Madras will open its doors to undergraduates from any stream for its MBA program from the academic year 2013-15. This was confirmed to us by G Srinivasan, head, DoMS, IIT Madras. Until last year, admissions were open only to undergraduate candidates who were pursuing the final year or have completed a four-year engineering course after completing their higher secondary school education.

Speaking about the change in policy exclusively to PaGaLGuY, Mr. Srinivasan said, “The idea is to get high Common Admission Test (CAT) scorers from non-engineering background to DoMS. Although, we have had postgraduate students from non-engineering disciplines even before in our management program, this is the first time that admissions will be open to undergraduate students from non-engineering background as well.”

Highlighting the positives of the change, Mr. Srinivasan added, “This move will bring in diversity and fresh air to the department. It will also add variety to the classroom discussions.” However, he did not expect the class proportion to change greatly. “We might get a few non-engineers through the process, but I think we will still have a batch dominated with engineers.”

The notification for admissions is expected sometime in January, after the CAT results. It would be noteworthy to know that IITs come out with a common notification for admissions to its management programs. Stressing on the fact of positive co-operation between all IITs in terms of administrative functions, Mr. Srinivasan said that they are expanding the relations with other IITs. “We have always been together in terms of administrative functions. However, we are looking to expand it in the space of academics as well, through ventures such as joint lectures through video conferencing and other initatives,” he stated.

Earlier, PaGaLGuY had reported that DMS IIT Delhi is also mulling over opening its doors to arts and commerce graduates.

Mr. Srinivasan also hinted at a curriculum change which is on the anvil. “It is still at the discussion stage. We have a lot of time before the next academic year begins and will come out with something concrete on it soon,” he concluded.