IIFM, Bhopal: Interview with Dr. Pankaj Srivastava, Director on Admissions, Placement, Cutoff

IIFM, Bhopal: Interview with Dr. Pankaj Srivastava, Director on Admissions, Placement, Cutoff

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 01, 2021 03:11 PM IST | #IIFM Bhopal

Established in 1982, the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, was set up with the aim to inculcate the art and profession of management of forestry development. IIFM Bhopal is ranked 62nd by NIRF India Rankings 2020 for Management. While IIFM offers a total of five programmesat the doctoral and postgraduate levels, its flagship programmes are the PGDM courses in Forest Management and Sustainability Management. Other courses include an M. Phil course, a PhD course, and a fellowship programme. Careers360 engaged with Dr. Pankaj Srivastava, Director of Admission of IIFM, Bhopal, about the institute’s mission, legacy, admissions, courses and placements. Read the full interview with Dr. Pankaj Srivastava, Director of Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, below.
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IIFM, Bhopal:  Interview with Dr. Pankaj Srivastava, Director on Admissions, Placement, Cutoff
IIFM, Bhopal: Interview with Dr. Pankaj Srivastava, Director on Admissions, Placement, Cutoff

Watch the full interview of Dr. Pankaj Srivastava here.


Careers360: Tell us about IIFM, Bhopal.
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: The institute started four decades back. It aims to inculcate in its students the sense of balance between nature and this development has been acknowledged by the world today. It is recognized by AICTE: is NBA - accredited and AIU approved for equivalence. This management institute is unique in the country not only in the forestry sector but also in the entire management sector. We are unique since we are not only restricted to forestry management but also sustainability and various other dimensions of development.

Careers360: What are the programs and specialization offered by IIFM?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: Two years back, we had started a program on Sustainability Management. There is a phenomenal growth in these two years considering that the course witnessed 180% growth in its second year of existence. This program was introduced after looking at the industrial needs of sustainability reporting and various kinds of regulatory compliances regarding environmental related aspects. The institute offers PG Diploma in Sustainability Management which has been acknowledged around the globe. Many CEOs and CSOs participate to come as a guest faculty to the institute.

Careers360: What are the admission criteria and the required cutoffs for the admission in IIFM?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: We consider only CAT and XAT aspirants as of now. As far as cutoff is concerned, last year we had a cutoff of 70%. Earlier it used to be 80% to 85% but we deliberately brought it down to enhance the diversity. Since this program is different from other mainstream MBA programs, we need the students to have some inclination towards nature and forestry. Cutting down the cutoff also gave us a broader group to select from.

Careers360:What is the diversity ratios at IIFM campus?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: We totally believe that a diversified classroom, college enhances learning. Students coming from different economic, geographic backgrounds and having industry experiences really make the discussions in the classroom multifaceted. We want students to come from arts, medicine and commerce. As far as gender diversity is concerned, there are 30% to 35% girls in every classroom and the number is increasing every passing year. I am also proud to say that we have students hailing from about 23 states of the country.

Careers360: What are the placements criteria at IIFM?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: We have a lot of big companies coming to the campus for recruitment. The reputation of IIFM plays a huge role in driving the companies to the campus. As for IIFM placements, we have had an average salary of 7.8 LPA and the highest one has gone up to 14 Lakhs.

Careers360: Are there any hostel facilities available for the students?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: Yes, there are separate hostel buildings for girls and boys. Single accommodation is also available for our students on the campus. We are also constructing some new hostel buildings. Infrastructure development in the hostel department is in the pipeline since the number of students getting enrolled is increasing and we need to accommodate them.

Careers360: Does the IIFM have any internships criteria?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: Yes, the students are expected to do their internships as stipulated. Many students go to different environmental sectors to pursue their internships.

Careers360: What kind of students should be joining IIFM?
Dr. Pankaj Srivastava: We are in search of students who are inclined towards nature and forestry. We aim at grooming them as future leading managers. We teach them the value of conservation, conflict between society, development and conservation related issues; those are the essential parts of our programs.

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Questions related to IIFM Bhopal

Have a question related to IIFM Bhopal ?

The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.


Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.


But you could opt for:


Postgraduate Studies:


Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.

Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.

Professional Certifications:


Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.

Job Entry via MBA

After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.

In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.

Hello Pratik,

If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .

Here's what you can do:

  1. Email the CAT authorities : Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the General category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.

  2. Documents and Proof : Make sure you have a valid OBC certificate and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the General category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.

  3. General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.

To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.



For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:

Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hi Shreya ,

Having a tattoo on your wrist should not  create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .

For a safe side , it is recommended :

1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .

2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .

Hope this helps you .

ALL THE BEST .



To know about this please prefer our college predictor

Hello,

Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:

Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.

MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.

Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.

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