Monika Upadhayaya

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

“Empathetic, resilient leader dedicated to fostering teamwork who embraces challenges with a dynamic approach and finds joy in a perfect cup of coffee.”

Hometown: Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a certified mountaineer, a biker, and an enthusiastic traveler who always seeks peaks to climb, off-roads to ride, and newfound places to be. I am obsessed with Japan, Japanese culture and places – Anime, Ramen and everything in between. I always wanted to climb Mt. Fuji and last year I did an overnight climb of Mt Fuji through rain and showers to view the most beautiful sunset of my life.

Undergraduate School and Major: BTech (Electrical Engineering), G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Intelligence Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs), Assistant Central Intelligence Officer

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? IIM Ahmedabad is not just an MBA college but its’s a legacy, a living monument of the past present and future of the Indian education. I was motivated to choose IIMA by the one-year MBA format, the coursework designed in a way to maximize learning throughout the course, and the opportunity to learn from the world class faculty motivated me in choosing the business school. Being associated with IIM Ahmedabad, with its strong brand value and rich alumni network, was an opportunity that I eagerly embraced.

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? My favorite course undoubtedly is the Strategic Management course, which helped me in developing a comprehensive understanding about how an organization can assess and mitigate risks. The subject was altogether very new to me and getting an insight about organizations and their working was something that I really enjoyed. Professor Sunil Sharma conducted very interactive classes where he taught us about the frameworks of strategy which completely changed my perspective towards the complexities of an organization. The subject was taught with case-based approach where the cases we covered during the course helped us in acquiring ability to identify problems, analyze potential solutions, and make suggestions for the most effective strategies.

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA?  Ahmedabad is known as the “Manchester of India” for its robust industrial base, which provides ample networking opportunities with industry leaders. Already known for its highly successful business community, Ahmedabad is the perfect place to learn business management as the inspirations are always around us. Apart from that, Ahmedabad is a UNESCO World Heritage City, offering a rich cultural and historical context that provides a unique and enriching backdrop to our studies.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The biggest accomplishment in my career so far was getting awarded the commendation certificate from the Joint Director (Senior IPS officer), Ministry of Home Affairs (GOI), for identifying anti-national organizations and gathering real time intelligence to further generate actionable leads in Counterintelligence operations.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: I came from a very core government organization whose sole focus was National security. From working in a high-stake environment on sensitive tasks to learning Business courses, the self-transformation I have been through is my biggest accomplishment so far. How I am redefining myself as a student, after working for over 9 years, is something I am really proud of. It is easier to learn but to unlearn and then learn takes effort and I have put all my effort into pursuing MBA so that when I look back, I could proudly say that I gave my 100%.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Away from school, our favorite hangout spot is Bhavesh’s Tea Shop. After every late-night assignment or group discussion, we gather there to unwind and take a break over tea and snacks. The 2 AM brainstorming sessions over sandwiches at Bhavesh’s are the most fun part of our day on campus.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation I want to leverage my skills and learnings that I acquired during my MBA course to assume leadership roles and drive sustainable growth within my organization. I aspire to build a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability, ensuring that my organization remains resilient and forward-thinking in a dynamic business environment.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? My advice to potential applicants is to have a clear understanding of why you want to pursue an MBA and what are your aspirations after completing the course. There will be times ahead during the course when the demanding curriculum will make you doubt your potential. In those times, all you need to remember is that you are not the only one who feels this way and sharing your thoughts with your peers helps immensely. Be mentally prepared for a rigorous, transformative journey that will push your limits daily. Although it will be exhausting, you will be amazed at your potential, and the satisfaction from giving your all every day is unparalleled. Embrace the challenges and opportunities for growth and remember that the connections and skills you develop will be invaluable for your future career.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AHMEDABAD MBA CLASS OF 2025