Navya Naveli Nanda, the granddaughter of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, has recently enrolled in the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad for an online MBA program. The 26-year-old shared the news on her Instagram on Sunday night, revealing that she had been accepted into the Blended Post Graduate Programme (BPGP).
Netizens questioned Navya Naveli Nanda's admission
However, the announcement did not sit well with everyone. Soon after she made her post, social media was abuzz with skepticism. Some users questioned the credibility of the course, labeling it as not a “real MBA,” while others speculated whether her famous family connections played a role in her admission. There were even murmurs about the possibility of her benefiting from a quota system.
IIM Ahmedabad’s Associate Professor defends Navya
In response to the growing criticism, IIM Ahmedabad’s Associate Professor Promila Agarwal addressed the situation on social media on Monday. Professor Agarwal clarified that Navya earned her place in the program based solely on merit, meeting all the necessary cut-offs and successfully clearing the interview process like any other applicant.
Professor Agarwal went on to defend Navya against the online trolls, elaborating on the stringent selection process for the BPGP. She explained that candidates are required to undergo a rigorous admission test or present valid scores from exams like the CAT, GMAT, or GRE, followed by a personal interview. Agarwal also highlighted that the acceptance rate for this program is as competitive as it is for other IIM-A courses.
She wrote, “The acceptance rate for this program is low, like others. Even if ppl want to discount her interview & CV. She, dammit, cleared the cut-off. For a long time, India has been debating why elite families move out of India for higher education. Why don't they study in Indian colleges? One lady makes it to IIMA for an online MBA & everyone is worked up.”
Navya’s Instagram post, where she announced her admission, included photos with her fellow batchmates at IIM Ahmedabad. She captioned the post, “Dreams do come true! The next 2 years, with the best people and faculty! Blended Post Graduate Programme (BPGP) Class of 2026.”