Ajay Chahar

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

“From gazing at stars to guiding strategies, I’m a physicist-turned-Army vet now mastering business, blending curiosity with leadership in every challenge.”

Hometown: Gurgaon, Haryana

Fun Fact About Yourself: I realized I was allergic to bananas when I was 15. I just thought they made everyone’s mouth numb, like pineapples. It was then I also learned I was allergic to pineapples.

Or

My colleagues, nicknamed me ‘Astro’, having seen me blend my passion for physics with military life, bringing a telescope to every outdoor assignment.

Undergraduate School and Major: Colgate University, Physics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Army Officer, Indian Army

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Ahmedabad’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Pursuing an MBA was the most logical path to transitioning from the military back to the civilian life. MBA and IIMA are pretty much synonymous for someone considering business schools in India. The case-based pedagogy, amazing faculty and the 1-year rigorous program made the choice an absolute no brainer for me. While I chose IIMA for its academic rigor and brand value, I also harbored a soft spot for the tremendous legacy that the institution carries.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Ahmedabad? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? As someone with no business or economics background, every single core course brought something valuable for me. There were two courses that resonated with me the most: Firms & Markets (FAM) and Modelling Decisions (MD).

FAM led by Professor Pingali, was a truly enlightening experience for me. Coming from a military background, I was captivated by how the course unraveled the complexities of economic principles that underpin everyday life. Professor Pingali’s engaging teaching style brought to light the forces of supply and demand, strategic behaviors of firms, and the profound impact of economic policies on our daily lives. His sessions were not just lectures; they were eye-opening discussions that made economics personal and relevant.

Taking the Managing Decisions class with Professor Diptesh Ghosh at IIM Ahmedabad truly transformed my approach to problem-solving. The course introduced me to the fascinating concept of quantifying decisions with numbers, a method that Professor Ghosh brought to life with clarity and enthusiasm. He showed us that decision-making, typically seen as a gut-driven process, could be tackled with precise, numerical strategies.

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA? Growing up as an army brat, I spent part of my middle school years in another city in Gujarat, so the local culture here wasn’t entirely new to me. On my first day in Ahmedabad, I was instantly reminded of the warmth and kindness of the people, just like before. As a bonus, Ahmedabad boasts some of the best street food in the country. Being a foodie, escaping campus on weekends to explore these delicious options has become a beloved and stress-relieving hobby.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my time in the military, based on my educational background and course performance, I was selected to be an instructor for Radio Communications & Electronics Warfare. This role filled me with pride and excitement, as every officer and enlisted soldier of the Armoured Corps would pass through our training, entrusting me with a significant responsibility to uphold high standards.

When I began, I noticed that the existing curriculum hadn’t been updated in a few years. As the new kid on the block, I was tasked with revising our training program. This involved months of diligent work, where I gathered reports from deployed units to identify knowledge gaps and integrated the latest training methodologies. Along with my fellow instructors, we developed and introduced a new curriculum that was promptly accepted and implemented within the same year, significantly enhancing the training quality for the corps.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: One of my most rewarding achievements during my MBA has been my smooth transition from a decade-long military career to the dynamic academic environment of business school. Adapting to this new way of life was initially challenging, but relying on the core values of discipline, resilience, and leadership from my military service has helped me change tracks.

Another significant milestone has been developing a business plan for an idea I’ve nurtured for some time. Although I’m still contemplating whether to pursue this venture, the journey has been incredibly enlightening. It has honed my analytical skills, deepened my market understanding, and sparked a newfound appreciation for the journey from idea to execution.

Furthermore, networking with my peers from diverse professional backgrounds has been a very enriching experience. Each conversation with this diverse group has not only expanded my professional awareness, but also enriched my worldview on various business practices. This interaction has been a cornerstone of my MBA experience, continually reminding me of the power of diverse perspectives and peer learning.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our class’s favorite hangout spot away from the usual study areas is the iconic Louis Kahn Plaza. It’s not just a place; it’s an experience, steeped in the rich history of the institution. Its central location makes it a natural meeting point. Whether you’re heading to the library or catching a basketball game, you’re likely to bump into someone you know. Often, these chance encounters turn into spontaneous Ultimate Frisbee sessions. The plaza serves as a vibrant crossroads where academic pursuits meet leisure, making it the ideal place for us to unwind and connect outside the classroom.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? Applying to business school is an intensive endeavor, particularly when you’re also managing full-time work commitments. My key piece of advice is to start the process early. Allocate sufficient time to not only prepare for the GMAT or GRE and craft your application essays, but also to connect with current students to gain a real sense of what life at IIMA entails. Furthermore, articulating a coherent narrative that explains why you need an MBA from IIMA, and how it fits into your future career plans, can greatly enhance your application.

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