Understanding what happens in the IIMI interview room
Indore, Madhya Pradesh
IIMI conducts balanced assessment with extempore interviews. Academic probing combined with spontaneous speaking tests Interviews scheduled: PI rounds: February-March 2026 (dates TBA)
Prepare with AI mock interviews that simulate IIMI's unique balanced assessment with extempore approach.
PI rounds: February-March 2026 (dates TBA)
• Avg work experience: 18 months
• Class size: 180 students
• Female students: 30%
Founded in 1996 by Government of India. This heritage shapes everything about the interview process.
IIM Indore's pioneering IPM program and balanced interview approach reflect its philosophy of nurturing well-rounded managers. The interview tests not just academic depth but also your ability to articulate thoughts spontaneously through extempore, engage with current affairs, and demonstrate genuine interests. They're looking for candidates who can balance analytical rigor with creative thinking — a trait essential for the diverse curriculum they offer.
IIMI panelists often reference alumni achievements to test awareness. Know these names and what they're known for.
Global Partner, Aon Consulting & India Chief Commercial Officer
First recipient of IIM Indore's Distinguished Alumni Award. Questions about consulting careers, HR consulting, or leadership in professional services might reference his journey. He became one of the youngest partners at Aon in India.
Chief Business Officer, Atomberg Technologies
Pioneered D2C sales at Atomberg, transforming it into a Rs 1000 Cr consumer brand. Recognized as "Champion of Change" by PM. Questions about D2C, consumer electronics, or entrepreneurship might reference his work.
Co-founder & CFO, InfoBeans Technologies
Built a successful technology company from Indore, demonstrating entrepreneurship from tier-2 cities. Relevant for discussions on tech entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems beyond metros.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient (2022)
Recognized for consistent professional excellence over a decade-plus career. Represents IIM Indore's track record of producing steady corporate leaders.
Co-founder, InfoBeans Technologies
Along with batchmate Avinash Sethi, built InfoBeans from Indore. Specializes in user experience and technology management. Shows how IIM Indore produces entrepreneurial pairs.
Academic probing combined with spontaneous speaking tests
IIM Indore interviews are known for their balanced approach — they're neither purely stress-driven like IIMA nor purely conversational like IIMB. You'll face a mix of academic deep-dives, current affairs discussions, and a distinctive extempore component where you're given a topic and 90 seconds to speak with minimal preparation. The panel typically includes two professors who maintain a neutral demeanor throughout.
IIM Indore's curriculum emphasizes holistic development. The IPM program, which they pioneered, attracts students right after 12th grade and develops them over five years. This philosophy of nurturing well-rounded managers extends to PGP selection too. They want candidates who can think on their feet (extempore), have genuine intellectual depth (academic probes), and stay updated with the world (current affairs).
"A candidate with a Chemical Engineering background was asked about the Haber Process, including temperature and pressure requirements. Another was given the extempore topic "Democracy or Dictatorship, which one should be preferred?" with 30 seconds to think. The candidates who structured their response quickly — starting with a clear stance, providing 2-3 supporting points, and ending with a nuanced conclusion — demonstrated exactly what IIM Indore looks for."
We trained Rehearsal on IIMI's interview style. Now it trains you.
Try a free IIMI mock interviewDon't just memorize questions. Understand the categories, why they ask them, and how to prepare.
"Draw a graph of log x. Now integrate log x." Or: "Explain the Haber Process. What temperature and pressure are required?"
IIM Indore places significant emphasis on academics, especially for freshers or candidates with limited work experience. They're testing whether you genuinely understood your undergraduate subjects or merely cleared exams. This also reflects their IPM culture where foundational academics matter.
"Draw a graph of log x. Now integrate log x. Differentiate log x."
Engineering candidates face math probes — know your calculus basics
Practice this question"Explain the Haber Process. What temperature and pressure are required?"
They probe subjects from your transcript regardless of current work
"What is Capital Asset Pricing Model? What are the components of CAPM?"
Finance basics are fair game for any commerce or engineering graduate
"Tell me the difference between IT and CSE. Have you studied data mining?"
Technical distinctions and depth are tested for CS backgrounds
You're given a topic and 30 seconds to prepare. Then you speak for 60-90 seconds.
The extempore tests your ability to structure thoughts quickly, articulate clearly under time pressure, and take a stance. This mirrors real management scenarios where you often need to present views with minimal preparation. It's a signature element of IIM Indore's interview process.
"Animal lovers are empathetic in nature"
Take a clear stance — don't sit on the fence
Practice this question"Democracy or Dictatorship, which one should be preferred?"
Classic policy topic — show nuanced thinking while having a view
"Is 5 trillion economy a dream only?"
Current affairs meets opinion — know basic economic context
"MBA is ruining the growth of the future by neglecting the importance of other fields"
Meta-question about MBA — show self-awareness and defend thoughtfully
"Tell me about the recent airstrikes. Should they have been done?" Or: "What do you know about the Delhi elections?"
IIM Indore wants managers who are aware of the world around them and can form informed opinions. They're not just testing factual recall — they want to see if you can analyze events and take positions.
"Tell me about the recent airstrikes. Should the airstrikes have been done?"
They want your opinion, not just facts — take a stance
Practice this question"What do you know about the Delhi elections?"
Political awareness matters — know key issues and players
"What's your view on stubble burning and Delhi pollution?"
Environmental issues with policy angles are common
"Should reservation for women be increased?"
Social policy questions test your ability to handle sensitive topics
"What are you doing currently? Explain your work in detail." Or: "What is EDA? How do you perform this?"
For experienced candidates, IIM Indore probes your work to understand how deeply you engage with your role. They're testing whether you understand the "why" behind what you do, not just the "what."
"What are you doing currently? Explain your work experience in detail."
Start with a clear overview, then be ready to go deep
Practice this question"What do you mean by EDA? How do you perform this?"
Technical terms you mention will be probed — know your domain
"What is multicollinearity? What is correlation?"
Data science and analytics concepts for relevant backgrounds
"Why do you want to leave your current job for an MBA?"
Have a genuine, forward-looking answer — not complaints about current role
"Tell me something about yourself and your family." Or: "You're from Indore. Tell me something unique about the city."
IIM Indore values well-rounded individuals. They probe your background, hometown, and hobbies to understand your personality, adaptability, and genuine interests. Surface-level answers don't work here.
"Tell me something about yourself and your family."
Classic opener — be structured but genuine
Practice this question"You're from Indore. What makes the city unique?"
Hometown questions test local knowledge and pride
"You mentioned reading as a hobby. What was the last book you read?"
Every hobby mentioned will be probed — claim only what you know
"You've lived in multiple states. How has that shaped you?"
Adaptability and cultural intelligence are valued
"Why MBA? Why now? Why not continue in your current field?"
IIM Indore wants candidates with clear purpose. They're testing whether you've genuinely thought about your career trajectory and how an MBA — specifically from IIM Indore — fits into it.
"Why MBA? Why do you need it for your goals?"
Generic answers don't work — be specific about what MBA adds
Practice this question"Why IIM Indore specifically?"
Know what makes IIMI unique — not just "top IIM"
"What will you do if you don't get an MBA this year?"
Shows maturity and whether MBA is part of a bigger plan
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
Be specific and connect to your MBA goals
Context-specific topics that IIMI panelists often reference. Know these well.
IIM Indore pioneered the five-year Integrated Programme in Management in 2011. Understanding this unique program shows you know what makes IIMI different from other IIMs.
IIM Indore is only the second IIM to receive Triple Crown Accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). This places it among an elite group of global business schools.
IIM Indore was established to bring quality management education to Central India. Understanding the regional context shows appreciation for the institute's mission.
What to expect at each stage.
You're given a topic — often related to education, policy, or current affairs — and 30 minutes to write an essay. Topics at IIM Indore tend to be more balanced, allowing you to explore multiple perspectives while taking a stance.
Clarity of thought, structured argumentation, ability to analyze multiple perspectives, and a clear conclusion. They value balanced thinking but still expect a definitive view.
Use the structure: Introduction with stance, 2-3 body paragraphs with different angles, and a conclusion that ties back to your thesis. IIM Indore appreciates nuance, so acknowledge counter-arguments before refuting them.
A panel of 2 professors conducts the interview. After initial questions about your background and work, you'll face academic probes, current affairs discussions, and an extempore (30 seconds prep, 90 seconds speaking). The panel often maintains neutral expressions throughout.
Academic depth, spontaneous articulation (extempore), current affairs awareness, genuine interests, and overall personality fit. They look for balanced candidates who can think on their feet.
Don't be thrown off by neutral or expressionless panelists — it's often deliberate. Focus on delivering your best answers regardless of their reactions. For extempore, having a clear structure matters more than deep expertise on the topic.
IIM Indore emphasizes developing well-rounded managers. From the pioneering IPM program to diverse campus activities, the institute values candidates who balance academic rigor with extracurricular engagement.
Interview Implication: They look for balanced candidates — not just academic toppers or work experience champions. Show breadth of interests alongside depth in your core areas.
Most of the campus operations are student-managed through the Student Activities Council (SAC). Cultural festivals, the campus shop, and various committees are entirely student-driven.
Interview Implication: Initiative and leadership outside academics are valued. If you have examples of organizing events or leading student bodies, they resonate well here.
IIM Indore was established to bring world-class management education to Central India. This mission of democratizing access shapes the institute's inclusive culture.
Interview Implication: They appreciate candidates who understand and value this mission. If you're from Central India or tier-2/3 cities, connect your background to their ethos.
Hard moments will happen. Here's how to handle them.
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Our AI simulates the balanced assessment with extempore style — including interruptions, challenges, and the pressure of thinking on your feet.