Yasha Hemant Khuthia

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta

“I’m a curious, grounded, rebellious soul who loves adventure, deep conversations, and observing the world with reflective eyes.”

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Fun Fact About Yourself: I can play over 10 sports and have a knack for picking up new ones almost instantly—turns out, hand-eye coordination and competitive spirit are highly transferable skills!

Undergraduate School and Major: MA Global Education and International Development, University of Warwick; BA (Hons) Psychology, Ashoka University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Consultant at Jetri (previously 9.9 Education)

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Calcutta’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? Aside from the cohort, what truly drew me to IIM Calcutta was the depth and diversity of electives, especially in areas like policy, strategy, and leadership. Coming from the education management space, I was looking for a curriculum that didn’t just sharpen technical skills but also encouraged systems thinking and interdisciplinary application. IIM Calcutta’s faculty—many of whom are thought leaders in their domains—offered the academic rigour I was seeking to reframe my experience and explore new avenues like policy, consulting, or innovation-led development. It felt like the right ecosystem to stretch and reimagine my career.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Calcutta? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? My favourite course has been Human Behaviour at Work. It helped me reconnect with my background in psychology and apply those insights to real workplace dynamics. We often operate on autopilot, and understanding the structure behind those behaviours was both fascinating and practical. Beyond academics, being part of the Social Networking Committee has been equally rewarding. Taking on a position of responsibility and giving back to my cohort and the school has made the experience more meaningful and community-driven.

What has been the best part of studying business in Kolkata? The best part of studying business in Kolkata is getting the best of both worlds. While the IIM Calcutta campus offers peace, focus, and a close-knit community, the city is close enough to enjoy its culture, energy, and warmth. Unlike fast-paced metros, Kolkata invites you to slow down, observe, and engage more thoughtfully with people, ideas, and the world around you. It’s a setting that makes learning feel expansive.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was recruiting founding cohorts for three new B-schools and designing their outreach and go-to-market strategies from scratch.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My biggest accomplishment has been adapting back to academic life after nearly half a decade in the workplace. It’s not easy to shift from leading teams to being back in a classroom: unlearning old habits, relearning concepts with a fresh perspective, and embracing academic rigour. Rebuilding this mindset has been humbling and rewarding, and it’s reminded me how much growth comes from being a student again.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our class’s favourite hangout away from school is Park Street. It’s the perfect weekend escape—with great food, iconic cafés, and plenty to explore. After a week of intense academic schedules, it offers a refreshing change of pace and a taste of Kolkata’s vibrant city life. For many of us, heading to Park Street is a way to unwind, reconnect, and return to campus recharged for the week ahead.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I hope to work at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and impact: whether that is in consulting, development, marketing, or policy. I want to help organisations solve complex problems, scale purpose-driven solutions, and build systems that create long-term value for people and communities. I’m also excited to return to the workplace with a fresh perspective and am open to roles in organisational leadership or building companies from the ground up.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CALCUTTA MBAEX CLASS OF 2026

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