COVID 19 Impact on B-Schools Across India: Campuses Shut, Classes Cancelled, Admission Deferred

With shutting down of campuses due to coronavirus, will the academic session and MBA admissions be delayed? What measures are MBA institutes taking? Read here.

Coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China in December 2019 is still creating havoc in India. The second wave of COVID-19 has led to lock downs and curfews across the country once again. Following the government order last year, to close down all educational institutions, a lot of educational institutions continue to keep their campus locked. Colleges and universities which reopened earlier this year have closed down again. 

Many B-Schools continue to conducted admissions online, and plan to start the classes of the new batch online. To prevent loss of academic year, many institutes are conducting semester exams too online. However, some of the state-level MBA entrance exams are yet to be conducted which may delay MBA admissions this year too. 

Coronavirus: Delay in MBA Admission

The MBA admission cycle may not be delayed this year as most of the B-schools experimented with online personal interviews last year. Based on their last year’s experience, they are already in the process of candidate shortlisting and personal interviews. Top MBA colleges including IIMs are conducting 2021 admission process on time and classes are expected to begin by July. FMS Delhi scrapped the GD/PI process last year and selected candidates on the basis of their CAT score and academic record. It may admit candidates on the basis of CAT score only this year too. 

Also Read:

• Coronavirus: Tips to Appear for Virtual GD/PI 
• 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2020-21 (MBA)
• 13 Must Do Things to Crack GD-PI-WAT
• Personal Interviews: 5 Situations That May Stump You
• How to Handle Surprise Topics in GDs
• Dos & Don’ts of Group Discussion
• Understand the GD, Interview and WAT process for MBA admissions

Coronavirus: Delay in Commencement of New Batch

Last year, B-schools began classes of first year MBA in June. Some institutes started classes online so that the duration of the academic session is not compromised. The delay in commencement of programmes will mean reduction in the duration of summer internship. This year too, the institutes plan to start classes on time in virtual mode.

Also Read: Coronavirus outbreak: What is the status of IIM Admissions 2021?

Coronavirus: Delay in Completion of Semester

Unlike last year, when the classes were cancelled, the major cause of worry among MBA students was that how will the complete their programme and will the delay in completion of the semester further delay completion of the course. However, this year there is no worry on this front as the classes are being conducted online and semester exams are conducted in remotely proctored mode.

Coronavirus: Final Placements and Summer internships

Last yearm summer internships and other academic events like convocation, student exchange programmes, etc. were put on hold at B-Schools. Towards the end of 2020, when COVID-19 pandemic was under control, summer and final placements were conducted online. 

Lat year, he AICTE had directed B-schools to instruct their students not to take up summer internship programmes. “AICTE directs all its Approved Institutes to instruct students NOT to take up any Summer Internships outside organizations. Instead colleges/institutes should give challenging problems as internship which can be done From Home,” said AICTE in an official communication.

Adding further AICTE said, “However, ongoing internships, where companies are allowing students to work from home, shall continue.” 

Participating companies and recruiters also understand the need and constraints related to COVID-19 pandemic. They have offered internships and jobs to MBA graduates in work from home mode.

Coronavirus: MBA Entrance Exams

The top MBA entrance exams have already been conducted and remaining exams such as MAH CET,  TSICET, KMAT, APICET and OJEE which were scheduled to be held in May, have been defered to June. Many MBA entrance exams including MAT and ATMA have moved to the Internet Based Testing (IBT) platform. Global MBA entrance exam, GMAT too is being conducted in IBT mode. Candidates targeting foreign universities need not worry, as the global pandemic has affect many countries and it is expected that institutes may relax admission requirements so that the academic session is not delayed.

Read More:

• Changes in CAT, NMAT, SNAP and Other Top MBA Exams Due to COVID-19
• COVID-19: Check Impact on MBA Entrance Exams
• COVID-19: Impact on GDPI of MBA Colleges