Geopolitics is the latest subject at top B-schools

India’s top B-schools are actively integrating current geopolitical developments into their curricula.

Institutes like IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore, XLRI, MDI Gurgaon and Indian School of Business (ISB) are emphasising real-time news and live case studies around immediate global issues such as trade conflicts, tariffs and shifts impacting business environments.

Academics said such inclusions in classroom discussions prepare students for the complex landscape that influences markets and corporate decision-making worldwide, helping them analyse and respond to current challenges shaping global business.

At MDI Gurgaon, professors have been steering lessons away from purely textbook scripts, replacing them with real-world material such as live business scenarios, recent shifts in economic policy and industry developments.


“For instance, current events like the ongoing tariff wars are discussed as part of VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) in the context of global trade and economic shifts. Similarly, topical issues such as AI disruptions in HR functions, recent layoffs due to automation, AI goof-ups and the growing significance of ESG norms are actively debated in the classroom,” said Jyotsna Bhatnagar, dean of graduate programmes, MDI Gurgaon.

IIM Indore has recently introduced several courses and initiatives that reflect the evolving needs of businesses. For instance, the postgraduate programme now offers contemporary electives and workshops in the second year on emerging areas such as AI, generative AI, ethical leadership and sustainable business practices.

“By accelerating the inclusion of new content through industry and alumni feedback, whether it relates to advancements in technology, sustainability practices, policy changes, or innovative business models, we bridge the gap between static curriculum frameworks and the dynamic realities of the business world,” said Himanshu Rai, director at IIM Indore.

IIM Calcutta has introduced several changes to its MBA curriculum from the 2025-26 academic year, including four interdisciplinary themes (IDTs) that address global megatrends and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The institute also integrates contemporary news and case studies into its MBA curriculum to ensure students remain aligned with evolving global business dynamics.

“Alumni engagement also plays a pivotal role in this process, as we frequently collaborate with our extensive network to co-create case studies, design electives and share industry insights,” said Bhaskar Chakrabarti, dean of academic programmes at IIM Calcutta.

At XLRI Jamshedpur, too, faculty members have been leading discussions on current news to provide students with real-time learning without waiting for syllabus overhauls.

Last year, the institute introduced a course module on ESG: sustainable finance and climate risk, linking sustainability reporting and green finance to Sebi mandates and global ESG disclosures. It has also included the future of work as part of HRM electives, with discussions on ChatGPT and generative AI disruptions in HR processes. In 2024, the institute introduced new case discussions on startup governance and funding in the BM programme.

“These additions have helped students immediately connect classroom insights to headlines and boardroom realities. For example, the ESG discussions led to strong student-led research projects on climate risk disclosures. Similarly, AI-focused sessions sparked hackathons and collaborative projects across HR and BM cohorts,” said Sanjay Patro, dean of academics, XLRI Jamshedpur.

At ISB, faculty members are leveraging AI tools and virtual reality (VR) to enrich case studies and create a more immersive learning experience for students.

“By focusing on real-world scenarios, we provide students with a contextual understanding of business. This is especially valuable given that emerging economies are major drivers of global growth,” said Vishal Karungulam, clinical faculty, ISB.