š§ IIM Ranchi Replaces Traditional Mid-Terms with AI-Driven Problem-Solving Projects
In a bold step towards transforming management education, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi has announced the replacement of traditional hall-based mid-term examinations with AI-integrated business problem-solving assessments across all courses. This forward-looking move is designed to reflect the increasing role of artificial intelligence in modern business operations and aims to equip students with practical, future-ready skills.
The new initiative, titled Working with AI (WAI), marks a significant shift in how business schools are reimagining curriculum design and assessments in a digital-first world.
š¼ From Exams to Experience: A New Model of Learning
Under the WAI model, students will no longer sit for conventional mid-term exams in classrooms. Instead, they will engage with real-time business scenarios and be required to use AI tools as collaborative partners to solve complex problems. The idea is to provide students with a hands-on experience in human-AI collaborationāsomething that is fast becoming a core expectation in corporate environments.
āTraditional isolated theoretical learning is no longer aligned with the dynamic demands of modern businesses,ā said Prof. Deepak Srivastava, Director of IIM Ranchi.
āOur students must learn how to think with AI, not just about it. With WAI, weāre embedding AI into business education, making it a natural part of learningānot a standalone tech subject.ā
š¤ Why AI Integration Matters in Business Education
As businesses increasingly adopt AI-augmented decision-making, management graduates are expected to be not only tech-aware but tech-capable. The WAI initiative aims to fill the existing gap in business education where students often lack practical exposure to AI-driven tools and processes.
Rather than teaching AI as a separate discipline, IIM Ranchi is allowing students to develop AI competencies organically, through contextual application in problem-solving. This real-world approach prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully in data-rich, tech-centric business environments from day one.
š§Ŗ What Will Change ā And What Wonāt
While this marks a major pedagogical shift for mid-term assessments, traditional end-term exams will continue to be held in the conventional format. According to the institute, this hybrid assessment structure has been designed to balance academic rigor with industry-relevant application.
āWeāre not eliminating traditional exams altogether,ā clarified Prof. Gaurav Manohar Marathe, Chairperson of the Student Engagement and Development Committee.
āInstead, weāre creating a more balanced evaluation frameworkāone that values both conceptual understanding and the ability to apply it through cutting-edge technologies.ā
š Impact on Students and the Future of Management Education
The shift is already being recognised as a potential game-changer in Indian B-school education. As per recent placement statistics, 59% of IIM Ranchiās placement cohort were freshers, and 31% were women, reflecting a diverse and adaptable student body. The WAI initiative is expected to further enhance their employability by making them comfortable with real-time problem solving in AI-driven business settings.
This move also sets a precedent for other management institutions in India, which are under pressure to align their programmes with industry expectations and technological realities. The future of management education may no longer rest solely on theoretical knowledge, but on how well students can adapt, collaborate, and innovate with AI as a core part of the business toolkit.
š A Glimpse into the Future
With AI becoming indispensable in sectors like marketing, finance, supply chain, and HR, IIM Ranchiās WAI model represents more than just an assessment reformāit signals a paradigm shift in how future business leaders are trained.
By making AI collaboration a core learning experience instead of an optional skill, IIM Ranchi is ensuring that its graduates are not just job-readyābut future-ready.
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