The Business of B-Schools: Focusing Quantity over Quality in India

Abstract

The rapid expansion of business schools in India has transformed management education into a highly commercialized sector, often prioritizing quantity over quality. This study critically examines the prevailing challenges in Indian B-schools, particularly the growing disconnect between academic training and industry expectations. Despite increased accessibility to management education, a significant proportion of MBA graduates remain inadequately prepared for the corporate environment due to an overemphasis on theoretical knowledge and insufficient practical exposure. The paper highlights key issues such as outdated curricula, limited industry interaction, lack of experiential learning, and insufficient faculty industry experience. Additionally, it underscores the neglect of the “being” dimension—comprising ethics, leadership, emotional intelligence, and value-based development—which is essential for producing competent and responsible managers. The study also addresses the widening employability gap and India’s declining global competitiveness in management education. It concludes that without comprehensive reforms focusing on experiential pedagogy, industry collaboration, faculty development, and holistic student growth, Indian B-schools risk becoming mere degree-granting institutions rather than centers of excellence in management education.