The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta), in partnership with TimesPro, has announced the opening of applications for the 33rd batch of its Executive Programme in Business Management (EPBM). This 12-month blended learning initiative is tailored for mid-to-senior professionals and emerging leaders, aiming to deepen their understanding of strategy, leadership, and decision-making in the context of evolving business models, technological shifts, and complex organizational priorities.
Programme Design and Objectives
The EPBM enables learners to examine business models through the broader lens of economic, political, social, and market realities. It strengthens managerial judgment required to lead teams, interpret change, challenge established assumptions, and align internal and external stakeholders toward clear and purposeful business outcomes. The curriculum covers foundational and advanced management domains, including Financial Reporting and Cost Accounting, Marketing, Operations, Leadership and People Skills, Strategic Management, Decision-Making, Digital Transformation, and Business Analytics. Participants engage in rigorous pedagogy, simulations, peer interaction, and faculty-led insights to transition from functional excellence to agile business leadership. A capstone project allows collaborative work on real-world business challenges, applying concepts and analytical tools from the programme.
Industry Context and Skill Demands
The need for such management capability has intensified as organizations prepare for a decade of significant workforce and skills transformation. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, 170 million new jobs may be created by 2030, but employers will face major changes in skills, roles, and organizational design. The report highlights AI, big data, and technology-led skills as among the fastest-growing capabilities, while underscoring the continuing relevance of analytical thinking, resilience, leadership, and collaboration. LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report 2025 identifies business strategy as the most at-risk skill globally, reinforcing the need for professionals who can set direction, adapt to market forces, and translate learning into measurable business impact.
Quotes from Key Figures
Speaking at the announcement, Ritu Mehta, Professor of Marketing, and Megha Sharma, Professor of Operations Management at IIM Calcutta, stated, "At a time when enterprises are navigating technology-led disruption and shifting market expectations, managers need the ability to interpret complexity with judgement and clarity. The Executive Programme in Business Management has been designed to help experienced professionals strengthen strategic thinking, broaden managerial perspective, and lead change with confidence across functions, sectors, and organisational contexts today."
Sridhar Nagarajachar, Business Head - Executive Education at TimesPro, added, "The EPBM continues to serve professionals who are preparing for wider leadership mandates and enterprise-level responsibilities. Through our collaboration with IIM Calcutta, we aim to deliver a learning experience that combines academic rigour, peer exchange and applied insight, enabling learners to translate management frameworks into meaningful business outcomes with agility and confidence."
Participant Profile and Programme Structure
Over the years, the EPBM has attracted accomplished professionals, with over 40% of learners bringing more than 15 years of work experience. Participants include Senior Managers, Directors, Vice Presidents, General Managers, COOs, and Consultants from sectors such as IT, BFSI, automotive, FMCG, healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and e-commerce. The programme is a strong learning pathway for professionals aspiring to transition from functional roles to broader business and enterprise leadership mandates.
TimesPro delivers the programme through its Direct-to-Device learning platform, complemented by two immersive five-day campus modules at IIM Calcutta. These campus immersions facilitate deeper faculty interaction, peer learning, and professional networking. Applicants must hold a recognized bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks and have a minimum of five years of full-time work experience after graduation. Upon successful completion, learners receive IIM Calcutta Executive Education Alumni Status.
About the Institutions
IIM Calcutta, established in November 1961 by the Government of India in collaboration with the Alfred P. Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, the Ford Foundation, and Indian Industry, was the first national institute for postgraduate studies and research in management. Over six decades, it has gained global repute for high-quality management education and is the first 'Triple Accredited' management school from India, with accreditations from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. TimesPro, established in 2013, is a leading Higher EdTech platform under the Times Group, offering employment-oriented early career programmes, executive education in collaboration with premier institutions like IIMs and IITs, and corporate learning interventions.
