IRMA seems to have it all - top faculty, great infrastructure, excellent campus, and extensive exposure. It is well known for its specialization in Rural Management and becomes the best choice when it comes to RM aspirants. Before I go on, let me clarify a much common misconception about the Rural Management and Development Sector. The assumptions that the pay in the Development sector is extremely low and IRMA provides no corporate exposure are outright false. 

I know a friend who gave up a scholarship at another B School for Rural Management at IRMA. He made this decision despite knowing it will be more hectic because of the 3 field components unlike 1 in the case of other B Schools. 

There is an additional social sector course like Rural Society and Polity for instance. The main purpose of these courses is to broaden your tour horizon as IRMA serves the majority of the Indian population living in villages, who have a different set of problems and require a different type of thinking to solve them.

IRMA has 2 camps - pro-market and pro-development that respect each other. Such harmony leads to a better understanding of both pros and cons, and students can initiate a response to an emerging economy.

This field required an emphatic and sensitive attitude with monetary benefits not being the primary goal. The earning capacity is not exactly poor and the placement figures reveal 100% opportunities. Additionally, IRMA’s Social Entrepreneurship Cell is a haven for future entrepreneurs.

IRMA boasts of a rich alumni culture because they take pride in being an IRMAn which was possible after multiple efforts and hard work. The alumni connection ensures constant motivation and advice shared based on real-life experiences.

Overall IRMA offers a roller coaster of experiences you won’t forget in your entire life.

 The answer is dependent on your level of interest.

The scenario at IIM Lucknow PGP-ABM is as follows:

• Placements: PGP and PGP ABM placements are both common. As a result, chances of getting into roles such as marketing, strategy, consulting, and so on would be higher than for Agri-Business-focused roles.
• Overall Knowledge: As an ABM student, you can take PGP courses such as Strategy, Finance, and Operations. This translates to a better understanding of business.
• Opportunities: Opportunities for an ABM student would be similar to those for PGP students at IIM L. As an IIM L student, you can compete in business case study competitions that are only open to top B-schools.
• Summer Internship: ABM Students are placed in companies such as BCG, Accenture Strategy, JPMC, Aditya Birla Group, Hindustan Unilever, P&G, Britannia, Airtel, Uber, Mars, PepperFry, Udaan, Hindustan Times, and others during their summer internship.

Many PGP ABM students prefer FMCG firms for Sales/Marketing positions.

• Agriculture-Specific Roles: Because of the small batch size, development sector organizations (NGOs, cooperatives, and government development agencies) and CSR foundations would be in short supply.

In short, you will almost certainly receive a higher salary at IIM Lucknow, but it may not be in an agribusiness/development sector organization.

The IRMA Scenario:

• A class of more than 160 students.
• The curriculum would be centered on agriculture and the rural sector.
• Placements: A large number of development sector organizations, NGOs, cooperatives, and government development agencies seek placements through IRMA.

For example, UNICEF, Tata Trusts (FISE), Vedanta Foundation, Reliance Foundation, and BAIF Development Research Foundation.

If you are very specific about agribusiness or rural development roles, you should apply to IRMA because of the large batch size and the increased number of Agri-specific roles coming to the campus. If you want to explore other sectors or domains and are looking for a brand name for life as well as a higher package, i.e. an experience similar to that of a PGP student, then IIM Lucknow is the place to be.