MBA in Development Management: Shaping Future Leaders for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Jaipur: In a rapidly globalising world marked by complex societal and environmental shifts, India is in urgent need of professionals equipped to handle multifaceted development challenges. This growing demand has placed the spotlight on the MBA in Development Management — a program that is emerging as a specialized avenue for shaping leaders committed to human and sustainable development.

Unlike traditional MBA programs, Development Management integrates core management competencies with a deep focus on improving the Human Development Index (HDI) — including health, education, and standard of living — while aligning closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The curriculum empowers students to make strategic decisions across sectors, particularly in areas where development and sustainability intersect.

According to the UN SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2023, India ranks 112th out of 166 countries, with a score of 63.5%, indicating a critical need for skilled professionals to accelerate progress. In response, institutions such as NITI Aayog are collaborating closely with states to localize and implement SDG targets effectively.

The healthcare sector, too, is undergoing a sustainable transformation. Systems are increasingly relying on AI to optimize waste management logistics and adopting environmentally responsible procurement practices. Digitally enabled care models — including telehealth and virtual consultations — are reducing carbon footprints by minimizing hospital visits and long-distance travel. Moreover, healthcare providers are now investing in robust ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions and enhancing climate resilience.

Education is playing a pivotal role in this shift. Environmental and Social Responsibility (ESR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are becoming core to the mission of higher education institutions, especially those focused on development management. As the boundaries between rural and urban India continue to blur — with the National Commission on Population projecting that 38.6% of Indians (approximately 600 million people) will reside in urban areas by 2036 — professionals trained in development management are poised to play a key role in building inclusive and sustainable ecosystems for these populations.

The program also emphasizes the creation of new rural-urban management knowledge and supports action-oriented, policy-relevant research. This, in turn, enables graduates to influence public policy through practical interventions and consultancy work.

Graduates of the MBA in Development Management are equipped with skills in analytical thinking, sustainable finance, human resource systems, and evidence-based program planning. These competencies prepare them for a wide array of career opportunities across sectors such as banking, marketing, investment, urban and rural development, and international development organizations.

They find roles as business development executives, urban and rural planners, researchers, and faculty members in academic institutions. Major global and national institutions — including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations agencies, WaterAid, the National Health Mission (NHM), and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) — actively seek such professionals for roles that contribute meaningfully to social impact and sustainable change.

As the global development discourse evolves towards building a more resilient and inclusive future by 2030, the MBA in Development Management is increasingly being recognized as a degree of purpose — training leaders not just for profit, but for people and the planet.

This article is authored by Dr. PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University.