Understanding what happens in the FMS interview room
New Delhi, Delhi
FMS conducts extempore + sop discussion + pi interviews. Unique three-part format testing spontaneous thinking, self-awareness, and depth Interviews scheduled: Group Discussion & PI: Feb 10-March 5, 2026 (Delhi only)
Prepare with AI mock interviews that simulate FMS's unique extempore + sop discussion + pi approach.
Group Discussion & PI: Feb 10-March 5, 2026 (Delhi only)
• Avg work experience: 8 months
• Class size: 220 students
• Female students: 33%
Founded in 1954 by Prof. A. Dasgupta and University of Delhi, FMS Delhi was established in collaboration with Stanford Graduate School of Business (early faculty training). This heritage shapes everything about the interview process.
FMS being India's first MBA program explains its unique culture. Unlike IIMs that have sprawling campuses and massive infrastructure budgets, FMS operates lean. The interview reflects this: they're not looking for flash, they're looking for substance. The "Red Building" culture values intellectual depth over polish. Panelists know that FMS students will face the same rigor as IIM graduates but with a fraction of the resources — they want candidates who thrive in that environment.
FMS panelists often reference alumni achievements to test awareness. Know these names and what they're known for.
Founder, Network18 (CNBC-TV18, Colors, Forbes India)
Media entrepreneurship and first-generation founder story. Questions about media industry, startup ecosystem, or building businesses from scratch might reference his journey.
MD & CEO, Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky)
Long-tenured CEO of a major brand. Questions about leadership, digital disruption in entertainment, or transitioning legacy businesses might connect to his experience.
IAS Officer, All India Rank 1 (UPSC CSE 2014)
The first differently-abled woman to top UPSC. Demonstrates that FMS alumni excel beyond corporate careers. Questions about public service, perseverance, or alternative MBA paths might reference her.
Vice President & Head, Meta India
Leading a global tech giant's India operations. Relevant for discussions on tech industry, social media regulation, or women in leadership.
Former CEO, Panera Bread (USA)
One of the few Indians to lead a major American restaurant chain. Demonstrates FMS's global reach despite being a Delhi University program.
Unique three-part format testing spontaneous thinking, self-awareness, and depth
FMS has a distinctive interview format that differs from IIMs. Instead of WAT + GD + PI, FMS uses Extempore + SOP Discussion + PI. The Extempore tests your ability to think and articulate on the spot — you get one minute to prepare and two to three minutes to speak on a topic. The SOP Discussion probes whether you truly understand your own story and career goals. The PI then connects everything: your background, your SOP claims, and your Extempore performance.
FMS values intellectual agility and self-awareness over rehearsed polish. The Extempore reveals whether you can structure thoughts quickly — a skill you'll need in the fast-paced Red Building environment. The SOP Discussion tests authenticity: did you write your SOP yourself? Do you believe what you wrote? Can you defend your career choices? They're filtering for candidates who know themselves, not those who wrote what they thought the panel wanted to hear.
"A candidate whose SOP mentioned "passion for sustainable business" was given the extempore topic: "Is sustainability a luxury or necessity?" The panel then asked about specific sustainable practices in their industry, companies doing it well, and why their current employer wasn't more sustainable. The candidate who connects extempore to SOP to PI seamlessly demonstrates the integrated thinking FMS values."
We trained Rehearsal on FMS's interview style. Now it trains you.
Try a free FMS mock interviewDon't just memorize questions. Understand the categories, why they ask them, and how to prepare.
"Speak on: Success is a process, not an endpoint." Or a topic directly from your profile like: "How can aerospace engineering relate to management?"
Extempore carries 5% weightage but influences the entire PI. It reveals how you think under time pressure. Can you structure thoughts quickly? Do you speak with confidence or ramble? Do you have opinions or just generic statements? The topic often connects to your profile, testing whether you truly know your own field.
"Success is a process, not an endpoint."
Abstract topic — take a clear stance and illustrate with examples
Practice this question"How can [your engineering branch] relate to management?"
Profile-based — shows if you've thought about your own journey
"Your city's biggest problem and how to solve it."
Hometown-based — tests local awareness and problem-solving
"One technology that will change India in the next decade."
Current affairs — have informed opinions on tech trends
"You mentioned wanting to work in consulting. Why specifically consulting?" Or: "Your SOP says you led a team of 15. Tell me about a conflict you faced with them."
SOP Discussion carries 10% weightage. FMS panelists read your SOP carefully before you enter. They're testing authenticity: Did you write this yourself? Do you believe it? Can you defend it? Every claim in your 100-word SOP is fair game for deep questioning.
"Your SOP mentions leadership. What's the hardest decision you made as a leader?"
They probe beyond surface claims — have specific stories ready
Practice this question"You want to work in strategy consulting. What does a strategy consultant actually do?"
Generic career goals get challenged — know your target role
"You mentioned your father inspired you. How specifically?"
Personal claims are fair game — be genuine, not rehearsed
"Your SOP is quite generic. What makes you different from other candidates?"
If SOP is weak, expect this challenge — have a differentiated answer
"Walk me through a typical day at work." Or: "What's the biggest problem in your industry that no one's solving?"
FMS recruits across consulting, FMCG, and banking. They want candidates who understand their work deeply — not just task-level execution but industry-level thinking. Can you explain your work to a non-expert? Do you see beyond your job description?
"If you were CEO of your company, what would you change first?"
Tests strategic thinking beyond your role
Practice this question"What's a decision your manager made that you disagreed with? What would you have done?"
Looking for independent thinking and judgment
"Explain your most complex project to me like I know nothing about your field."
Tests communication clarity — a key FMS skill
"What will disrupt your industry in the next five years?"
Tests awareness beyond immediate job
"What's your view on the recent RBI policy decision?" Or: "Should India privatize more banks?"
FMS students are expected to have informed opinions on the world around them. Given FMS's location in Delhi — India's political capital — panelists expect awareness of policy, economics, and current events. They're not testing recall; they're testing whether you can think critically about news.
"What's happening with inflation right now? How does it affect middle-class families?"
Economic awareness with practical implications
Practice this question"Should India have more IIMs or improve existing ones?"
Education policy — relevant given you're applying to B-schools
"What's your view on startup layoffs? Is the funding winter good or bad?"
Business news with opinion required
"Tell me about one government policy you disagree with. Why?"
Tests ability to critique constructively
"Why FMS over IIMs? You know our fees are lower but so is our infrastructure." Or: "You've converted IIM-L. Why are you even here?"
FMS panelists know that many candidates also have IIM calls. They want to understand your genuine interest in FMS specifically. Generic answers about "ROI" or "brand" don't work — they want to see you've thought about fit, culture, and what FMS uniquely offers.
"You have IIM-ABC calls. Why would you join FMS?"
Be honest and thoughtful — don't pretend you'd definitely choose FMS
Practice this question"FMS has no hostel and limited infrastructure. How will you manage?"
They're testing whether you've researched practical realities
"What do you know about the Red Building culture?"
Specific FMS knowledge shows genuine interest
"How will you contribute to FMS beyond academics?"
They value diverse contributions to campus life
"I see your CGPA dropped in third year. What happened?" Or: "Explain any concept from your engineering curriculum."
FMS is part of Delhi University and values academic rigor. If there are gaps in your academic record, they want honest explanations. If you claim expertise in a subject, they'll probe. Intellectual honesty matters more than a perfect transcript.
"Your CGPA dropped from 8.5 to 7.2 in one year. What happened?"
They'll notice inconsistencies — have honest answers ready
Practice this question"You're a computer science graduate. Explain machine learning in two sentences."
They test whether you truly understand your own field
"Why MBA after engineering? Couldn't you do an MTech?"
Career pivot questions — have a clear logic
"What was your favorite subject? Why?"
Reveals intellectual interests and genuine curiosity
Context-specific topics that FMS panelists often reference. Know these well.
FMS is famous for having India's best Return on Investment. Panelists may probe whether you chose FMS just for low fees or for genuine fit.
FMS is in India's political capital. The location shapes curriculum, guest lectures, and internship access. Panelists may ask how you'll leverage Delhi.
FMS's small campus forces a close-knit culture. Understanding this shows you've researched beyond rankings.
What to expect at each stage.
You're given a topic — often related to your profile, current affairs, or abstract themes. You get one minute to gather your thoughts, then two to three minutes to speak. The panel observes not just content but structure, confidence, and composure.
Clarity of thought, ability to structure ideas quickly, speaking confidence, and relevance of content. They note if you ramble, use filler words, or lose track of your point.
Practice the structure: Opening statement (what you'll argue), Point 1 with example, Point 2 with example, Conclusion that ties back to opening. This structure works for any topic.
The panel has read your 100-word Statement of Purpose. They probe specific claims: career goals, achievements mentioned, reasons for MBA, why FMS. This often flows into the broader PI but expect early questions directly from your SOP.
Authenticity, self-awareness, clarity of career goals, and whether you truly believe what you wrote. Inconsistencies between SOP and verbal answers are red flags.
Read your SOP before entering. Know every word. For each claim, have a story ready. If you said you want consulting, know what consultants do. If you mentioned a leadership role, have the conflict story ready.
A panel of two to three members (faculty and sometimes industry experts) conducts the interview. Questions span work experience, academics, current affairs, hobbies, and why-MBA. The mood is conversational but probing — they want depth, not breadth.
Overall personality, depth of knowledge in claimed areas, intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and genuine fit with FMS culture.
FMS values conciseness. Answer in thirty to sixty seconds unless asked to elaborate. If you don't know something, say so immediately — intellectual honesty is valued. Connect your answers back to your profile and FMS goals where natural.
FMS operates from a single iconic red brick building on Delhi University's North Campus. This physical constraint creates intensity — everyone interacts with everyone. Students spend 12+ hours daily on campus, creating a close-knit community.
Interview Implication: Panelists look for candidates who thrive in intimate, high-intensity environments. Show you value peer learning and close community over sprawling infrastructure.
FMS students know they're getting elite education at a fraction of the cost. This creates a culture of gratitude and giving back — alumni engagement is strong, and students are expected to contribute beyond academics.
Interview Implication: Don't just cite ROI as your reason for FMS. Show you understand the responsibility that comes with low fees — to contribute to college, help peers, and give back as alumni.
Being part of Delhi University means FMS students have access to the broader DU ecosystem — sports facilities, cultural events, and the energy of India's largest university. It's not an isolated campus; it's part of a vibrant academic community.
Interview Implication: Show awareness of DU culture and how you'd engage beyond FMS. Panelists appreciate candidates who see FMS as part of a larger university, not an isolated B-school.
Hard moments will happen. Here's how to handle them.
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Our AI simulates the extempore + sop discussion + pi style — including interruptions, challenges, and the pressure of thinking on your feet.