Brains, Brands, and Burnout

The Untold Story of India’s MBA Aspirants

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Management education in India is often seen as a pathway to leadership, high salaries, and professional success.

Students are trained in decision-making, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, and encouraged to develop the skills needed to thrive in competitive business environments. But behind the polished resumes and confident presentations lies a deeper, often overlooked issue-the psychological burden that many management students carry.

As an educator in this field, | have observed firsthand how these young adults, full of ambition and potential, are frequently overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. This article aims to shed light on the emotional challenges faced by management students, backed by recent research and experience from the classroom.

The Reality of Rising Stress

According to a 2022 AICTE survey, nearly 47% of MBA students in India report experiencing high levels of academic stress. These pressures are typically linked to constant deadlines, peer competition, placement preparation, and the drive to build the perfect profile. A separate 2023 study published in the Indian Journal of Mental Health revealed that 39% of final-year management students showed signs of burnout and anxiety, many of whom had never sought professional support.