The B-School Saga

From blackboards to boardrooms, from chalk to AI-powered classrooms, The B-School Saga tells the compelling story of how business education in India evolved over seven transformative decades.

In this book, Ashish Gupta, a seasoned education professional, chronicles the journey of Indian management education-from its roots in ancient trade wisdom and colonial commerce colleges to the establishment of the iconic IIMs, the explosion of private B-schools post-liberalization, and the rise of digital, entrepreneurial, and purpose-driven MBAs in the 21st century.

Spanning 1947 to 2025, this book brings stories of visionaries, policy shifts, institutional breakthroughs, and the growing role of Indian B-schools in shaping leaders for both local impact and global relevance. It covers key milestones, including:

The founding of IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta with international collaboration

The emergence of ISB and new private models of excellence

The growing influence of Tier 2 and Tier 3 city B-schools

The impact of NEP 2020, EdTech, AI, and ESG on curriculum and pedagogy

More than a history, this is a blueprint for the future. The B-School Saga challenges educators, policymakers, and students to reimagine business education, not just as a route to corporate careers, but as a force for national development.

Whether you're an aspiring MBA, a business school leader, or curious about India's growth story, this book offers valuable insights into how business education shaped India.