IIM Calcutta - EPHRM, what to expect ?

EPHRM from IIM, Calcutta - Here’s a comprehensive guide of what you can expect in the 1 year Executive PG from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.

Now before we get to the crux of the matter, let’s comprehend why IIM, Calcutta and why exactly EPHRM.

EPHRM is a Flagship course of IIM, Calcutta which is more like a fast forward option of two year MBA which covers entire modules of HR. If you are a working professional who is not in a position to discontinue work for pursuing higher education or if you would like to switch between departments from any other stream to HR, EPHRM can be your go-to choice. It comes under Executive education for working professionals who are keen to climb up the corporate ladder !

Why IIM, Calcutta?

Obviously, because of NIRF ranking - 4th (2023) and NIRF ranking 5th (2024). Also because of its 59th position at QS world universities ranking. The one among the only two Triple accredited B-schools (IIM) in India the other one being IIM, Indore.

So, getting to the whole crux of the topic of what you can expect apart from the syllabus, will try to keep it crisp. Do not expect any formal drill of theoretical classes, it isn’t our UG classes anymore. The modules are based on complete business case studies and its analysis. You will have to comprehend the concepts by working through business case studies and the same will be discussed in class. A normal groove of day dreaming in class won’t help you in exams, since every question on the exam-front would be designed in such a way that you can get through only if you had been attentive in class. Last minute rush through of exam portions doesn’t help(don’t tell me we didn’t warn you as a senior, setting the record straight here) Be ready to weather the storm (exams :P). If you open the books just before exam day, you will go down in flames :P

Soon after the first Introductory class, make sure to form the WhatsApp group (pretty effective) to get updates and to get know peeps ! Not to deny our class group was the most engaging group ever ! Just laughing thinking about all the class fun and memes which rang a bell, as soon as I get to hear the word “WhatsApp group”. IIMC EPHRM 14, is what we named it (no naming ceremonies were involved :P)

Vikram Vij and Deblina Hait were two amazing souls who were literally our guiding light, for reasons better known to us (shhh ! It’s a mystery secret like a Bermuda Triangle, we don’t let it out). Our toppers Chandana TK , Shoma Das and Prarthana Uppal (She/Her) were so kind enough to help us with topic discussions whenever we were stuck ! May you ppl live long !

Shoma Das , without you asking questions in class we wouldn’t have managed to get clarity on most of the topics, thanks tons. Also front benchers like Smitha Pradeep Surabhi Saha Abhishek Singh , Pratish Rastogi , Gaurish Purohit , Mahatee Barve , Brinda Sengupta thanks, you awesome bunch of people for asking questions thereby helping us get clarity on most of the topics.

Thanks Ved Prakash Mohanty and Deblina Hait for sharing us your notes, we literally survived only on this to prepare for exams. Thanks Shilpa Chakrabortty, PMP? , Sanchit Gogia , Monali Sengupta Dey , my darling Somya Bhardwaj , Rupali Lamba Ruchita Sinha , Sohini Dutta Shreeya Dange , Kavita Siva , Gagan Mathur Prarthana Uppal (She/Her) , Chandana TK , Praveen Jose , Madhuparna Datta , Sailaja Banerjee , Sukanya Banerjee , Shubhanshi Kankane , Sonali Kalra , Dr Sanghmitra Kumre for all the night studies & group discussions (If you get it, you get it :P ).

A big thanks to Adarsh Kumar Pathak for downloading all the study materials and sharing it in the group ! You were such a saviour ! Thanks Payal Khanna for sharing our pet google's pics & videos as a sign of good luck, it did ease all our exam fears.

Saranya Ganesan Hariharan S Pallavi Kaushik Anuja V Malavika Punna Sampurna Chakraborty Aruna Aher Romsha Sharma Rahul Jain Siddharth Rajeev Pushpesh Nandan Ankit Bhardwaj Alisha Singh CA Saroj kumar Sahu Divyanshi Srivastava Sweta M Harish Kanamadi Disha Ghai Vaishnavi Baranwal

All modules were fine except for SHRM, Finance & statistics which gave us a mini heart-attack after looking at the questions in exam, pretty tough you see Glad we sailed through ! (Drumroll please !!).

There was a big shocker as we proceeded towards the SHRM module. IIM Calcutta is all about analysis of Business case studies but this module is extra special since we had to do presentations as well. We were split into groups to discuss and prepare for the same. What a hectic month it was (slow claps ), juggling work, preparing for class, connecting mid-week to discuss and prepare for presentations. Woah, ain’t sure how we surpassed it, nevertheless the takeaways from the group discussions were immense, can’t deny though.

Never to miss the IPL discussions, North Vs South debates, late night group studies and topic discussions, WhatsApp group fun (during the class, our professors better not see this :P) and memes, all this will forever be etched in memories for years to come.

The above were just a mere trailer and the main picture of show was the campus immersion. From eagerly awaiting the color of our customized T-shirts for group pic to planning the graduation day dresses we had so much to sort out. Well, the gala dinner, the star of the event. We really got to interact in person with all our professors. It was so much fun until the next morning we had to rush for classes post hangover after-effects

Not to miss, the late night campus walks, dinner table gossips, playing cards, never-ending photo and selfie sessions, Calcutta travel spree, Roshagullas and Rasamalai’s - all this will forever be cherished as we go down the memory lane.

Last but not least, a big shoutout to our secret Santa, you will forever be remembered Vikram Vij , please do convey our regards :P (wink*)

Special mention to each and everyone of our batchmates, sorry couldn't tag everyone. Lots of love !!

The relationships we have built over the year is so special that EPHRM - Batch 14 will always be close knitted despite our busy schedules ! Ending it on a special note that we have finally received our Executive Alumni status ! (Drumroll again !!)

I swear IIMC and Emeritus will miss all our emails, if sending emails and asking queries were ever given awards, EPHRM - batch 14 would top the charts :P

IIM Calcutta, you were totally worth it.

- Sandhya K Ravi