The decision comes in the wake of the number of positive cases in India going up to 169 on March 19. So far, the virus has spread to 140 countries, infecting 218,000 and killing more than 8,800 people.

IIM Lucknow Suspends Classes, Convocation

IIM Lucknow has suspended classes with effect from March 18 till further notice. The Institute has also given the students of its two-year Post-Graduate Program (PGP) the option to defer their appearance in the end-semester examination to June.

They could either appear for the exams scheduled from March 21 or in June after returning from the summer internships. The exam schedule in June will be announced 10 days before the tests.

Those who opt for rescheduling the exam to June were directed to vacate the campus by 5:00 pm on March 18 after informing the concerned officials about their choice by filling up an online form.

Corporate Communications and Media Relations Chairman Prof Vikas Srivastava said at the exam hall, a distance of two meters (around six feet) between the seats will be maintained.

Earlier, on March 11, IIM Lucknow had announced In view of the COVID-19 Corona Virus outbreak and advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the World Health Organisation to avoid large gatherings, it was postponing the Convocation scheduled for March 21.

ISB Postpones Convocation, Suspends Classes

Meanwhile, the Indian School of Business (ISB) with campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali, said, it was adopting a ‘holistic approach’ in addressing this concern. For the first time in its history, ISB postponed the annual graduation ceremony, that was to be held in the first week of April, until further notice.

A note from Prof Philip C Zerrillo, ISB Deputy Dean & Director, Corporate Communications, said, “We continue to work hard to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and vendors. We have recently closed our campuses and asked our resident students (both PGP and FPM) to leave the campuses. All common facilities such as the Gym, Salon, and LRC have been closed (though the LRC is still available online).

“As the facilities are vacated, we have begun sanitizing and disinfecting all these buildings should there be a need to house people immediately. All PGP classes are being completed online while non-resident programs such as PGPpro, PGPMAX, and PGP MFAB have ceased beginning new courses until May. Additionally, all international immersions for all programs have been postponed,” he added.

“ISB Staff will move to an alternate schedule of a week on campus and a week off-campus. Despite the reduced on-campus staff, F&B, Grocery stores and the Sarovar facilities will operate fully. All staff and vendor employees will be required to submit to a temperature check to gain entry to the campus. During this time, we will not be accommodating vendor meetings, alumni, or outside guests.

ISB also has put up a website to help update the people on the latest efforts, news and changes in policy due to the pandemic.

MDI Gurgaon Suspends Classes Till March 31

Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon has suspended all classes till March 31 as per the directions of the Haryana State government. While the faculty and staff would be attending their office, all students have been directed to vacate the hostel rooms as early as possible. They have been asked to proceed to their hometowns or to their local guardians.

However, exchange students will be allowed to stay in MDI hostel and mess facilities will also be available. They should adhere to the guidelines of the Government of India if they want to return to their country, MDI said in a statement.

The coming examinations are to be either assignment-based or through online modes. This will be faculty discretion in consultation with the concerned program office. The online/assignment-based exams for NMP/EMP may be conducted from March 20, it added.

IIM Indore Postpones Convocation

In view of the COVID-19 situation and advisory issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to avoid mass gatherings, IIM Indore postponed its 21st Annual Convocation scheduled to be held on March 24-25.

IIM-I Director Prof Himanshu Rai said the situation was being closely monitored. Fresh dates for the Convocation will be decided depending on how things unfold in the coming days.

IIM Bangalore Postpones Convocation

IIM Bangalore has decided to postpone the Convocation 2020 scheduled for March 20 in view of the COVID-19 Corona Virus outbreak and the advisories by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organisation to avoid large gatherings,

“We have consulted all the stakeholder groups. This decision has been taken based on their inputs and subsequent deliberations, keeping in mind that your and your family’s safety is paramount,” IIMB Director Prof G Raghuram said.

“IIMB would also like to assure you that while we are geared to contain the spread of the virus on campus (thanks to our Administrative Staff), we have taken this decision to avoid putting you and your family at risk, both due to travel and the large gathering.

“We will continuously monitor the situation and when we feel that the situation enables us, the new date for the Convocation will be decided. The respective Program Offices will get in touch with students regarding the receipt of the degrees,” he added.

IIM Ahmedabad Defers Annual Convocation

IIM Ahmedabad said In view of the advisories issued by the Union Health Ministry and WHO following the eruption of the COVID-19 Corona Virus, the Institute decided to defer the Annual Convocation scheduled for March 21.

“The decision has been taken to preclude any risks to students and their extended families and friends as well as to the faculty and employees of the institute. In due course the respective program offices will be in touch with the graduating batch regarding the receipt of their degrees,” the IIM said in a statement.

IIM Ahmedabad also decided to move PhD Admission interviews online due to COVID-19 and Government of India advisories on travel and gatherings. The online interviews will be held during March 31–April 3, it added.

IIM Udaipur Postpones Convocation

In view of the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak and its status being escalated to a ‘Pandemic’ by the WHO, IIM Udaipur said it has decided to postpone its 8th Convocation which was scheduled on March 30.

The Institute said the decision was taken keeping in mind the advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to avoid large gatherings. It was closely observing the situation and would finalize the new date soon.

IIM Kozhikode Postpones Annual Convocation

IIM Kozhikode said it has decided to postpone the Annual Convocation scheduled to be held on April 4.

The decision was taken In view of the Covid-19 Corona Virus outbreak and the advisories received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, World Health Organisation and the State Government to avoid large gatherings, the Institute said.

“At a time when the world is combating an unprecedented challenge of this magnitude, we at IIMK will stand by guidelines issued by the governing bodies in the national interest. As dutiful citizens, we are vigilant towards the developing situation and have also geared up internally to take on the challenge. We will be announcing the new dates for the Convocation to the students in due course of time,” IIM Kozhikode Director Prof Debashis Chatterjee said.

XLRI Postpones Annual Convocation

XLRI- Xavier School of Management has decided to postpone its 64th annual convocation scheduled on March 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak across the globe. More than 520 students were slated to get their diplomas at the convocation.

Fr. P Christie S.J., Director, XLRI said, “We deeply regret to inform that the much-awaited Convocation 2020 stands postponed. We had to take this painful decision of postponing the Convocation following the advisory from the local authorities and the inputs from our stakeholders on the ongoing situation arising out of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“This was the only way to avoid putting our students and their loved ones at risk posed by the growing menace of COVID-19. Even an unprecedented level of precautionary measures at our end during the program will not totally eliminate the risk it poses,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming students and their families to the Convocation at a later date once the situation becomes normal,” he added.

The last date for submitting the application is March 14 (online) and March 20 for hard-copy applications. The program’s inauguration and the first on-campus session will be on April 27.

The program delivery will be partly online along with some on-campus classes. UpTop, an ed-tech higher education platform, will be associated with the online delivery.

On successful completion of the ePGPx program, the students will be awarded the ‘One Year Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Management’. All ePGPX graduates will get IIM Rohtak alumni status. However, no placement assistance provided by the Institute for the graduates.

EPGPx, a one-year blended program at IIM Rohtak, Apply by March 14

Eligibility Criteria

You should have a Bachelor’s Degree or Post Graduation Degree in any discipline with minimum 50% aggregate mark or equivalent CGPA. At least 5 Years of managerial/ entrepreneurial/ professional experience is needed at the time of application.

You should present valid scores of CAT/GMAT/GRE/GATE obtained in the last 5 years. Group Á officers inducted through UPSC exam are also eligible. If you have not appeared for any of these aptitude tests, you will undergo the IIMR-Entrance Test.

Admission Process

You will be screened and evaluated on the basis of your application and qualifying examination scores. The shortlisted candidates will appear for an interview after which the final offers will be made. Personal Interviews will be conducted online (via Skype) on March 29.

The Selection List will be announced on April 3. The online orientation will take place on April 18. The inauguration of the program and the first on-campus session will be held on April 27.

The IIM Rohtak Online Entrance Examination will be held on March 22. It will be a 90-minute online proctored entrance test. Candidates will take the test from their own computers at a location of their choosing, free from disturbances. Examination link and login credentials will be shared with candidates prior to the examination via email.

The test will comprise multiple-choice questions.  Of the total 90 questions, 30 each will be on Language & Communication, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. You will get one mark for every correct answer. There will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

Program Fee and Other Expenses

You will have to pay an application fee of Rs 2,000. Those appearing for IIM-R entrance test will pay an additional Rs 1,000 as test fee.

The total program fee is Rs 6,50,625 Inclusive of all academic charges. The fee should be paid in three installments. The In-Campus Module Fee is Rs 2,360 (inclusive of taxes) per day without Boarding/Lodging. It will be Rs 2,950 (inclusive of taxes) per day with Double occupancy Boarding/Lodging. The fee will be Rs 4,130 (inclusive of taxes) per day for Single occupancy Boarding/Lodging.

The fee is inclusive of all academic charges, examinations, textbooks, and study material. All fees are non-refundable. Fees can be paid by Cheque/Demand Draft/NEFT/Payment Gateway.

The first installment of Rs 2,16,875 (Inclusive of all academic charges) should be paid upon joining. The second installment of Rs 2,16,875 (Inclusive of all academic charges) should be remitted before Term 2. The third installment of Rs 2,16,875 (Inclusive of all academic charges) should be remitted before Term 3.

Program Design

The ePGPx Program comprises 300 online sessions and 100 on-campus sessions plus 100 for Project Work. The duration of the session will be 1 hour 15 minutes. The course duration (in hours) will be 625.

The program will have three mandatory on-campus modules at IIM Rohtak at the beginning of each term. Each campus visit will be 6-7 days and will be held within a gap of 3-4 months. There will be a total of 20 days of on-campus classes.

The online sessions will take place three times a week. There will be, tentatively, two sessions each on Friday and Saturday. There will be four or five sessions on Sunday.

Program Content

Term-I will cover Managerial Economics. The subjects include Financial Reporting & Analysis;   Legal Aspects of Business; Spoken and Business Communication; Human Resource Management I; Understanding People and Organisations I;  Management Information System; Marketing I; Operations Management-I;  Probability and Statistics I;

Term -II will have Macroeconomics and Economic Policy; Management Accounting; Written Analysis and Communication I; Human Resource Management II; Understanding People and Organisations II; Strategic Management; Business Analytics; Marketing II; Probability and Statistics II; Operations Management-II.

Term-III will cover Government Systems and Processes; Socio-Cultural Environment of Business; Financial Management; Written Analysis and Communication II; Business Ethics;   Advanced Technological Management; Business Research Methods; Marketing-III; Strategic Decision & Tools; Entrepreneurship

The program will be delivered through a state of the art Online Synchronous Learning Technology platform using one of the best technology (Direct to Desktop/Direct to Device) where students can attend their online sessions from anywhere with the help of Laptop, Tab, etc.

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This year, the IIM a one-year full-time residential MBA in Business Leadership with classes commencing in November. Targeting executives with work experience, the program is aimed at systematically nurturing and shaping them into high potential leaders.

Similarly, for the first time in India, IIM-K introduced a PhD in Management for working executives in the form of a practice track. The participants will be able to retain their full-time jobs while working towards a doctoral degree.

PGP Liberal Arts to transform Arts & Social Science Students to Skilled Managers

Announcing the launch of MBA in Liberal Studies, IIM Kozhikode Director Prof Debashis Chatterjee said, “Management education draws heavily from scientific methods of fact-finding in controlled environments. The scientific method of teaching and learning alone is not sufficient for preparing future managers.

“This specialized program is being introduced to prepare future managers by enabling them to acquire not only intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, cultural quotient but also the often overlooked, creative quotient,” he added.

Since a large number of Liberal Arts and Social Science students are not part of the managerial workforce at present, this initiative would transform them into a skilled workforce.

Admission Process & Eligibility Criteria

The selection process involves a specialized admission test and personal interviews. Aspirants with an undergraduate degree will be eligible to apply. However, their knowledge in Humanities & Social Science will be the determining factor.

Companies related to media, entertainment, advertisements, private academic institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations will be invited for on-campus recruitment for this program, IIMK said in a statement.

MSF program to meet Banking & Finance Sector Demands

The launch of the new Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program is in response to the demand for banking and financial services sector for candidates with specialist skills and expertise in finance.

This two-year full-time program is designed to meet the significant transformation in the financial services brought out by technology and big data. The MSF program is a specialized professional qualification with an exclusive focus on financial theory and application compared to traditional MBA, which provides a broad foundation of management topics, with an option of specialization in finance. The online link for applying for this program is now live on iimk.ac.in

Highlighting the uniqueness of this program, which is not only a boost for young experienced BFSI professionals but also for fresh graduates interested in kick-starting their careers in finance, Prof  Chatterjee said, “This is an age of massive disruption in banking and finance. For us in IIMK, this represents an opportunity to nurture high-quality professionals to lead the sector. We aspire to create the institutional architecture for India’s march towards a five-trillion-dollar economy.”

Meanwhile, the latest batch of Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP 12) program, accredited by the AMBA (Association of MBAs) since 2011, also recently registered its largest batch (369 candidates) this year.

IIMK also bagged the top honor Elsevier Science Direct – Best Usage Growth Award in the category of all competing IIMs for the year 2018.

Source 1

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The Tax Research Unit of the Department of Revenue, in a circular, has clarified its position regarding grant of GST exemption to educational institutions. Till now, only the two-year full-time PGP (Post-Graduate program in management) and FPM (Fellow Program in Management) were exempted from GST at IIMB.

Tax Exemption Details

Along with EPGP, two other programs, the Post Graduate Program in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) and the Post Graduate Program in Enterprise Management (PGPEM) are now exempt from GST.

Earlier, the EPGP, because of its ‘executive’ tag, was clubbed together with the other part-time executive programs for working professionals and denied any tax concessions. IIMB had approached the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) Karnataka seeking clarification and later the GST Council to rectify the anomaly.

A Times of India report quoting an IIMB spokesperson said the institute will receive a refund of Rs 4.03 crore in taxes it has already paid for 2018-19. So far, it has refunded Rs 3.93 crore to 235 students who had paid the tax along with the fees.

IIMB Director G Raghuram, welcoming the tax exemption as a positive move, however, said he would not be able to comment on whether it would lead to a reduction in the fees saying that the tax was only one component.

The EPGP Program (2019-20) fee is Rs 25,89,000 (shared accommodation) and Rs 27,24,500 (family accommodation).

The exemption, announced by the GST Council in a circular on January 1, 2019, would also benefit the one-year program students at IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Indore, IIM Lucknow and IIM Calcutta.

The Council’s decision to exempt all Degree Certificate programs at IIMs came after a prolonged struggle by the Institutes against the imposition of the GST. For instance, IIM Indore had in 2018 approached the Authority for Advance Ruling of Madhya Pradesh (AAR) seeking exemption but the request was turned down at that time. (see: https://www.oneyearmba.co.in/without-executive-tag-no-respite-18-gst-1-year-mba-programs-india/)

Revenue Department Clarification

Susanta Mishra, Technical Officer (TRU), explained the position regarding tax exemptions granted to the IIMs  In Circular No. 82/01/2019-GST, dated January 1, 2019.

He said according to the provisions of the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2018 which came into force on January 31, 2018, all the IIMs listed in the schedule to the IIM Act are “institutions of national importance”.

They are empowered to grant degrees, diplomas, and other academic distinctions or titles, specify the criteria and process for admission to courses or programs of study and the academic content.

“Therefore, with effect from 31st January 2018, all the IIMs are “educational institutions” as defined under notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 as they provide education as a part of a curriculum for obtaining a qualification recognised by law for the time being in force,” he added.

“At present, Indian Institutes of Managements are providing various long duration programs (one year or more) for which they award diploma/ degree certificate duly recommended by Board of Governors as per the power vested in them under the IIM Act, 2017.

“Therefore, it is clarified that services provided by Indian Institutes of Managements to their students- in all such long duration programs (one year or more) are exempt from levy of GST,” he added.

The circular noted that during the period from July 1, 2017, to January 30, 2018, IIMs were not covered by the definition of educational institutions as given in notification No. 12/2017 Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017. Thus, they were not entitled to exemption under Sl. No. 66 of the said notification.

However, a specific exemption was granted to three programs, namely the two-year full-time PGP, to which admissions are made on the basis of Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by the IIMs, the Fellow Program in Management (FPM) and the 5-year Integrated Program in Management (IPM).

Therefore, for the period from 1st July 2017 to 30th January 2018, GST exemption would be available only to the three long-duration programs specified above, the circular said.

“It is further clarified that with effect from 31st January 2018, all IIMs have become eligible for exemption benefit under Sl. No. 66 of notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017. As such, specific exemption granted to IIMs vide Sl. No. 67 has become redundant. The same has been deleted vide notification No. 28/2018- Central Tax (Rate) dated, 31st December 2018 w.e.f. 1st January 2019.

The tax exemption will not be applicable to short-duration certificate programs for executives/professionals. These will continue to attract the standard rate of GST @18% (CGST 9% + SGST 9%), it said.

Source 1, 2