Started in 2001, MBA at IIT Kanpur quickly assumed leadership in management education keeping in mind the growing need for managers with a strong technical background in India and has maintained it ever since. It has grown into India's favorite management school. The benchmark in management education in the country, it attracts the best of students and faculty. Admission is through the Common Admission Test (CAT) followed by personal interview and group discussion. The syllabus includes several core courses in the first year that provide a broad foundation in management and include a strong practical component, with industrial projects incorporated in the courses. In the second year, students have the flexibility to choose among several electives depending on their individual interests and career goals. Conscious effort is made to keep the course content relevant to the Indian scenario. The case study method is used extensively to encourage participatory learning. The program has a mandatory two month summer internship component. Specialization offered in MBA includes sectorial areas of Service and Manufacturing and functional areas of Operations, Systems, Marketing, and Finance. Recent graduates of the MBA program have been placed in reputed Indian and multinational companies. MBA-IITK's alumni have created or joined a wide range of organizations in India, transformed them, and given several of them a global presence. Some of the alumni are providing leadership at the global operations of multinationals. Behind their extraordinary achievements is the sense of confidence that they acquire during the rigorous program at the Institute.