For thousands of management aspirants, earning a seat at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) is a dream come true. But a viral post by student Vivek Kundu has sparked a wider conversation by highlighting the mental, emotional and physical challenges of life at one of India’s premier business schools.
Kundu, who grew up in a village, later moved to Chandigarh and has represented India at Stanford University debates, reflected on his first year at IIM Ahmedabad, describing five “hidden costs” of pursuing an elite MBA.
The Cost of Saying Yes to Everything
Kundu said he was overwhelmed by the endless stream of case competitions, club applications, networking events and social activities. Trying to participate in everything left him exhausted.
“The real lesson wasn’t time management,” he wrote. “It was learning that saying ‘no’ is a skill. Otherwise, FOMO takes over.”
The Pressure of Constant Comparison
At IIM Ahmedabad, Kundu found himself surrounded by IIT graduates, Chartered Accountants, former government officers and professionals from companies such as Goldman Sachs, McKinsey and Google.
He said constantly comparing himself with other high achievers became an invisible source of stress.
The Shock of Academic Setbacks
After years of academic success, receiving a “C” grade in his first finance quiz came as a major blow.
Kundu said adjusting to IIM Ahmedabad’s rigorous relative grading system can be emotionally difficult for students who have always been among the top performers.
The Cost of Losing Touch With Family
The demanding academic schedule also affected his personal life. Kundu realised he had gone an entire week without a meaningful conversation with his family, communicating only through brief text messages.
He later made it a personal rule to video call home whenever possible, even if only for two minutes.
“Some rules matter more than any deadline,” he wrote.
‘Eight Hours of Sleep Is a Character Flaw’
Kundu also criticised the culture of glorifying sleep deprivation on campus.
He said getting a full eight hours of sleep was often viewed “like a character flaw,” while surviving on just four hours of sleep was celebrated as dedication and hustle.
According to him, such a mindset can have serious consequences for mental health, cognitive performance and overall well-being.
Viral Post Sparks Debate
Kundu’s post has been widely shared on social media, drawing over 6.7 lakh views and triggering discussions about hustle culture at elite institutions.
Many users agreed with his observations, saying students often lose their individuality while trying to keep up with peers. Others criticised the glorification of sleep deprivation, arguing that sacrificing health should never be considered a measure of success.
Kundu’s reflections have reignited conversations about the hidden emotional costs of pursuing an MBA at top institutions, reminding aspiring students that the true price of an elite education extends far beyond tuition fees.