IIM Ranchi Replaces Mid-Term Exams With AI-Based Projects

• ‘Working with AI’ project replaces mid-terms with real-world tasks.
• Students solve business problems using AI tools and teamwork.
• New attendance model rewards participation over compulsion.

To equip students with future-ready education, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi is preparing to substitute conventional hall-based mid-term exams with AI-enhanced business problem-solving projects across all courses.

The project, named ‘Working with AI (WAI)’, seeks to connect theoretical education with practical, technology-related business issues, placing the institute at the leading edge of educational innovation.

The change is based on IIM Ranchi's ongoing dedication to aligning its educational approach with modern business issues. Throughout the last academic year, the institution has methodically overhauled its complete course framework, prioritizing real-world business problem-solving in every curriculum element.

"We have recognized that the traditional model of isolated theoretical learning was becoming increasingly disconnected from the dynamic needs of modern business,” said IIM-Ranchi Director Dr Deepak Srivastava, further adding, “Our students needed to develop competencies that go beyond textbook knowledge – they need to work collaboratively with emerging technologies to solve complex business challenges.”

Srivastava states that the WAI initiative demonstrates an advanced awareness of how artificial intelligence is transforming the business environment. Instead of seeing AI as a disruptive element that needs to be handled independently, IIM Ranchi has embedded it as a core aspect of business education.

Students must now show their capability to collaborate with AI systems to create innovative solutions for actual business challenges. This method fills a significant void in conventional management training, where learners frequently finish their studies with theoretical insights but lack hands-on experience in human-AI collaboration – a competency that is becoming more vital in the modern job market.

The initiative extends beyond just understanding AI to actively engaging with AI as a collaborative ally in resolving challenges. Integrating AI collaboration into the assessment process allows students to cultivate these skills naturally instead of through separate technology classes.

Despite the significant changes to mid-term assessments, IIM Ranchi continues to uphold traditional hall-based examinations for end-term evaluations. This combined method guarantees that learners keep enhancing essential analytical and reasoning abilities while simultaneously acquiring practical technological skills.

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This method demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of adult learning principles, acknowledging that voluntary involvement leads to superior results compared to required adherence. The policy revision recognizes that students could gain from engaging in supplementary learning opportunities beyond the classroom, all while upholding responsibility for fundamental skill development.

According to Dean (Academics) Prof. Tanusree Dutta, the institute is creating an environment where students take ownership of their learning journey. “This requires balancing freedom with responsibility – students have more autonomy in how they engage with content, but they're also held to higher standards in demonstrating practical competencies,” she said.

Chairperson of the Student Engagement and Development Committee (SEDC), Gaurav Marathe, said, “The transformation extends beyond just examination methods. IIM Ranchi has simultaneously restructured its attendance policy, moving away from compulsory attendance toward a flexible attendance based on a positive reinforcement model.” Students are now receiving incentives for their participation while keeping the option to explore other skill development opportunities, he stated.