Dean Varun Nagaraj on the evolving MBA landscape
August 30, 2025
Dean Varun Nagaraj was featured on the IMS CAT Prep podcast series, The B-School Insider, where he discussed the evolving MBA landscape, admissions processes, placement trends, and SPJIMR’s distinctive approach to management education. He also addressed critical questions about the future of MBA education and management learning in an AI-driven world.
MBA relevance in changing times
Dean Nagaraj acknowledged the challenges facing traditional MBA programmes, noting: “There are a lot of new B-schools that have emerged, which are challenging the traditional MBA and saying that it is on the verge of dying.” He suggested that India’s education system under the National Education Policy (NEP) may eventually reduce the necessity for MBA degrees.
However, he emphasised the importance of preparation meeting opportunity: “Beautiful things happen when you’re prepared and then an opportunity shows up, and then you’re prepared to take advantage of that opportunity.”
AI integration and uncertainty
Addressing artificial intelligence’s (AI) role in education, Dean Nagaraj presented a balanced perspective: “AI is a friend to some degree because it’s stimulating more interests. It’s also a foe because it’s creating uncertainty as to what you need in highly uncertain times where it’s not clear if AI is going to wipe out your jobs in two years from now.”
This dual nature of AI reflects the broader challenges business schools face in preparing students for an unpredictable future job market.
SPJIMR’s distinctive approach
Dean Nagaraj maintained clear expectations for prospective students, reflecting SPJIMR’s commitment to selecting candidates who embody the institute’s ethos of continuous learning, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity – individuals who embrace challenges and are prepared to grow in uncertain environments.
Learning philosophy
Throughout the discussion, he emphasised continuous growth, sharing his personal philosophy: “When you go to sleep at night, you need to feel that you’re going to sleep smarter than when you woke up in the morning.”
Reflecting on life’s unpredictability, he stated: “You don’t really control your path as much as you think you do,” offering wisdom gained through decades of experience in industry and academia.
The conversation provides valuable insights for prospective MBA students navigating an increasingly complex educational and professional landscape.