Abhas Katra Singh

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

“Former Chief of Staff to a Union Minister; contributed to crafting India’s tech regulatory and electronics manufacturing landscapes.”

Hometown: Unnao, Uttar Pradesh

Fun Fact About Yourself: After taking the Civil Services Mains Examination in 2011, I was in that tense, uncertain phase waiting for the interview shortlist when I received a call from Vijay Kalyan Jha, a stalwart in the test prep industry and a friend. I still remember his words: “Would you like to go to Kashmir for three months while you’re waiting for the interview?” I’m glad I said yes.

In the winter of 2012–early 2013, I spent over 100 days in Kashmir, coaching civil services aspirants, undergraduate entrance candidates, and CA Foundation (Business Law) students across districts like Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Srinagar. During that time, there was a ten-day spell when the mercury never rose above –3°C. I travelled through snow-laden roads, navigating frozen landscapes that were as beautiful as they were unforgiving. And yet, what stayed with me most was the contrast, the warmth of the people. Students showed up with unmatched determination, and hosts never let me go without kehwa and conversation.

That journey reaffirmed the value of resilience, adaptability, and the quiet strength of service especially in unfamiliar, demanding environments. I returned with ruddy cheeks, a stronger immunity to cold, and a heart fuller than when I left. Soon after, I cleared the Civil Services interview but it’s the experience in Kashmir that still feels like the real preparation.

Undergraduate School and Major: National Law School of India University, Bengaluru; 5-Year Integrated Law and Humanities Degree

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Ministry of Electronics and IT, Government of India, Chief of Staff to Union Minister of Electronics & IT, Information & Broadcasting and Railways

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? I chose IIMA for its unmatched prestige and extensive alumni network across India. This was crucial for me as I aspire to pivot into new roles at the intersection of technology, strategy, and public policy. IIMA’s legacy of producing influential leaders is impressive. Its deep network offers unparalleled mentorship and collaboration opportunities. The network signifies the rigorous academics and high-caliber professionals IIMA cultivates.

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? Among those I have completed, Firms and Markets has been a favorite. The main lessons were simple but profound: ignore sunk costs and always consider opportunity costs. These principles are vital for both business and personal life.

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA? Ahmedabad offers a unique and supportive environment for an MBA. People are collegial, good-natured, and helpful. There’s a great balance between academics and pursuing outside interests. Ahmedabad is also a fast-emerging economic center with a strong entrepreneurial culture. This provides real-world exposure and exciting opportunities.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most meaningful professional accomplishment has been co-drafting three landmark legislations that transformed India’s digital and communications policy landscape. These included the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023), India’s first data privacy law, and the Telecommunications Act (2023), which replaced a 138-year-old colonial-era framework.

Beyond the drafting itself, I supported the Minister in managing a complex and sensitive stakeholder engagement process. This involved preparing consultation papers; engaging with a wide spectrum of voices including industry bodies, civil society organizations, global consulting firms, and multiple ministries; and helping translate competing viewpoints into actionable legislative language.

I also contributed to navigating the processes of inter-ministerial alignment and supported the legislative strategy that enabled the smooth passage of these bills through Parliament. The work required attention to legal detail, an appreciation of administrative realities, and the ability to synthesize feedback in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.

This experience helped me develop a deep understanding of how systems function, how diverse stakeholders align around policy goals, and how meaningful change is shaped and delivered in complex institutional settings.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:  It’s an accomplishment I’m proud of because it belongs to a group I’m fortunate to be part of. I was selected as one of four members of the inaugural Students’ Judicial Council (SJC) at IIM Ahmedabad, established as part of the novel “One IIMA” initiative to create a unified student governance framework across all academic programs.

As a core pillar of this new structure, the SJC is responsible for interpreting the founding rules including the student constitution, functioning as the grievance redressal forum, and ensuring free and fair elections to various student bodies, including the Placement Committee.

Being part of the Council’s first cohort offered a rare opportunity to shape systems that will serve future batches across programs. It’s been a meaningful way to contribute to campus life while learning how principles like fairness, accountability, and institutional trust are practiced.

Being part of something from the ground up, especially a mechanism that will likely outlast our time on campus, has been a powerful reminder of how institutions are built: not just through policy, but through participation, fairness, and trust.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Any of the city’s many thali joints! Nothing beats a long, chatty dinner over endless refills of Gujarati food. It’s comfort food, and it brings comfort conversation. Especially after long classes or intense prep, it’s where we go to laugh things off and reset.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I want to work at the intersection of policy, strategy, and digital business. They would be roles that involve navigating complex regulatory landscapes, shaping responsible innovation, and building bridges between public systems and private enterprise excite me. Whether it’s with a large platform, a global tech company, or a fast-scaling startup, I’m drawn to solving problems that have both business and societal impact.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? Grades, test scores, and achievements will get your application noticed but clarity is what will set it apart. Take time to reflect not just on why you want to pursue an MBA, but also what you hope it will change for you. That clarity will guide whether you should apply at all, where you’ll thrive, and how you tell your story. Once you’re in the program, that same clarity will help you navigate countless decisions: courses, roles, career pivots – even how you spend your time. At IIMA, unlearning is just as important as learning. Come prepared to be challenged by the curriculum, your peers, and yourself and allow that process to shape you, not just polish you.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AHMEDABAD MBA CLASS OF 2026

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