IIM Ranchi Ushers in AI-Era Learning: Mid-Term Exams Replaced by Real-World AI Problem Solving
In a pioneering shift that could redefine the future of management education in India, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi has decided to phase out its traditional hall-based mid-term examinations. Instead, it is introducing an innovative model that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) directly into student assessments. This transformation is part of a new initiative called Working with AI (WAI), which places students in live business scenarios where they must collaborate with AI tools to solve complex, real-world problems.
By embedding AI directly into the learning process, IIM Ranchi aims to bridge the ever-widening gap between theoretical education and practical, tech-driven business realities — a move that could influence how business schools across the country and the globe approach curriculum and assessment.
The Working with AI (WAI) Initiative: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Launched as a strategic response to the evolving nature of the business world, the WAI initiative reimagines mid-term evaluations across all courses at IIM Ranchi. Rather than test students on isolated concepts through pen-and-paper exams, WAI tasks them with applying their knowledge in real-time using AI technologies as active collaborators.
“Traditional isolated theoretical learning is no longer aligned with the dynamic demands of modern businesses,” stated Professor Deepak Srivastava, Director of IIM Ranchi. “Our students need to collaborate with emerging technologies to solve complex real-world problems. The WAI initiative makes AI a fundamental component of business education rather than a separate subject.”
This fundamental shift isn't just about including AI as a tool — it's about changing the very nature of how students think, learn, and solve problems. AI becomes a partner in exploration and decision-making, much like it already is in modern boardrooms and startups around the world.
Organic AI Integration, Not Isolated Tech Courses
A significant strength of the WAI model lies in its natural integration of AI tools into the business curriculum. Rather than offering AI as an elective or standalone module, the institute embeds it into the learning ecosystem through scenario-based projects. These projects mimic live business challenges where students are required to analyze data, derive insights, predict trends, and offer solutions — all while working in tandem with AI-driven platforms and software.
As Director Srivastava highlights, the goal is for students to develop AI competencies organically, through practice and experience, instead of merely acquiring theoretical knowledge about technology.
This hands-on approach ensures graduates leave IIM Ranchi not only as management thinkers but as technologically fluent problem-solvers, equipped with the skills that companies increasingly value — especially as the industry pivots to AI-augmented decision-making and automation-driven operations.
Striking a Balance: Mid-Term Innovation, End-Term Tradition
While the mid-term assessments are undergoing a significant transformation under WAI, IIM Ranchi isn’t discarding conventional evaluation methods altogether. The institute has chosen to retain traditional hall-based examinations for end-term assessments, thereby striking a balance between academic rigor and practical application.
This hybrid model, as explained by Gaurav Manohar Marathe, Chairperson of the Student Engagement and Development Committee, is designed to value both analytical reasoning and technological dexterity.
“We are not discarding traditional methods; we are building a balanced assessment system that values both academic knowledge and practical application,” Marathe said. “This hybrid model nurtures analytical reasoning alongside technological fluency.”
In this structure, theoretical depth is assessed through end-term exams, while practical acumen and adaptability are tested mid-way through the course via AI-based problem-solving tasks.
Preparing Students for the Future of Work
As organisations across industries increasingly rely on AI-augmented decision-making, business schools are facing mounting pressure to keep pace with workplace expectations. IIM Ranchi’s WAI initiative directly addresses this by offering students direct exposure to AI-human collaboration—a skill that is no longer optional in modern management roles.
Whether in marketing analytics, supply chain optimisation, financial forecasting, or strategic planning, the business world is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. WAI ensures that IIM Ranchi graduates don’t just understand this transformation — they live it, adapt to it, and lead it.
Moreover, by placing students in live business scenarios instead of simulated case studies, IIM Ranchi is closing the loop between classroom knowledge and corporate reality. This prepares students to enter the job market with an edge — confident, capable, and future-ready.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Management Education
IIM Ranchi’s bold move with WAI could very well set a precedent for other B-schools in India and abroad, prompting a reassessment of how management education is structured in a rapidly digitising world. As academic institutions explore ways to remain relevant and impactful, IIM Ranchi has taken a decisive step toward aligning business education with the demands of the AI-driven economy.
While the long-term outcomes of this initiative remain to be seen, the intent is clear: prepare students not just for today’s workplace, but for tomorrow’s business ecosystem, where working with machines will be as crucial as leading teams.
Conclusion: Reimagining the MBA Experience
With the launch of WAI, IIM Ranchi isn’t just changing how students are evaluated — it’s reshaping what it means to be a business leader in the AI era. By fusing academic knowledge with AI-powered collaboration, the institute has introduced a progressive, learner-centered model that could redefine management education across the board.
As AI becomes a permanent fixture in the corporate landscape, initiatives like WAI ensure students don’t just learn about innovation — they become part of it.
