For elective course selection, IIMs usually have a course bidding system. Every student receives 1000 points and has to choose 6 courses. The institutes organize a bidding day. At the scheduled time, everyone needs to login into the system and starts bidding. Each course takes a maximum of around 75 students. On average 200-300 students bid on popular courses such as Finance, Marketing, Strategy, etc. It isn’t wise to use all the bid points on one/two courses. As there are many options to choose from, students usually get a course of their preference.
The first year of MBA at IIMs is rigid with respect to the courses. You have to study mandatory courses from all management systems like Finance, Marketing, etc. The system of picking electives begins in the second year.
Course Bidding:
At IIM Ahmedabad there is a course bidding system where you are allotted bid points. The number of bid points is mostly the same, but there is some variation in bid points based on guidelines specified by the academic council.
IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta should have the same system for choosing an elective as IIM Ahmedabad.