Execute Well-Designed Strategic Initiatives for Sustained Business Growth
Duration: 6 months
Gain deep expertise through an advanced program in strategic management at one of India’s top B-schools.
Eligibility: 7+ years of experience
One of the most relevant IIM courses for working professionals, tailored for mid-to-senior
leaders across industries.
First Round of registrations closing on 30th September
2026
Secure your seat in the best strategic business management course in India
before
enrolments close.
5 days on-campus module
Experience transformative learning with
in-person sessions designed for high-impact
leadership development.
IIM Calcutta Completion Certificate and Executive Education Alumni Status
Live online sessions every Friday (6.00 PM to 9.00 PM)
Fee INR 3,90,000 + GST Payable in easy instalments. Loan assistance is also available.
The IIM Calcutta Advanced Programme in Strategy & Leadership (APSL) is a rigorous 6-month executive leadership program tailored for seasoned professionals who aspire to lead strategic change and long-term business growth. In today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world, strategic thinking and agile leadership are no longer optional, they are essential. This strategic management and leadership programme enables participants to master corporate strategy, drive business transformation and align strategic plans with organizational goals. Through a blend of live sessions, simulations and a capstone project, the course imparts actionable skills in financial strategy, business model innovation and entrepreneurship strategies.
Designed for working professionals, the programme offers a balanced learning format combining on-campus immersion and online strategy classes, making it one of the best corporate leadership development programmes in India. It is ideal for CXOs, business heads and senior executives looking for a certificate in strategic management and leadership.
Earn a prestigious IIM Calcutta strategic management certification, join an elite executive alumni network and position yourself for future-focused leadership roles in global and competitive environments.
#1 in India and #46 Globally by CEOWORLD Magazine, USA 2026
#1 in India for ESG and Net Zero Teaching and #53 Globally by Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2026
#50 Globally by QS Master’s in Management Rankings 2026
#2 in India by Business Today 2025
Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all successful candidates.
Develop a strategic mindset for adapting to complexity and shifting power dynamics.
Understand the strategic landscapes of industries and the economics behind strategic moves.
Explore firm strategies, sustainability, resource conflicts and their relation to strategy.
Master the strategies of leading change during institutional transitions.
Decode the dynamics of the start-up ecosystem and nurture start-up culture in large organisations.
Align organisational strategies with the fast-evolving demands of the Digital Economy.
Find out the strategic elements of corporate restructuring and Mergers & Acquisitions.
Study institutional frameworks to manage multi-stakeholder interests successfully.
Investigate the rise of the State/government in a multi-polar and unstable geopolitical order.
Objectives: Develop strategic reasoning and enterprise-level thinking.
Objectives: Translate strategy into execution excellence.
Objectives: Build high-impact leadership capability for enterprise environments.
Objectives: Prepare leaders for AI-enabled digital transformation.
Objectives: Drive innovation-led growth and entrepreneurial thinking.
Integrate programme learning into a real strategic challenge. Participants solve live business problems under the guidance of IIM Calcutta faculty, applying all concepts learned throughout the program in a practical, real-world context.
Prepare for leadership roles and position yourself for growth by learning to plan and execute corporate strategy.
Immerse yourself in the IIM Calcutta campus experience during a 5-day on-campus session, complemented by expert-led immersive live video lectures, perfect for working professionals exploring executive leadership programs.
Undertake a comprehensive Capstone Project under the guidance of seasoned faculty from IIM Calcutta.
Expand your professional network by engaging in collaborative projects and discussions with experienced peers.
Benefit from the rich legacy of the 16 successful batches of the IIM Calcutta Advanced Programme in Strategy & Leadership (Previuosly known as "Advanced Programme in Strategic Management for Corporate Leaders").
Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran is Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. She is a Fellow of Programme in Management from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and BTech from Regional Engineering College Calicut. She has published widely and has won numerous awards like the Best Paper Award at the Indian Academy of Management 2020 conference and many more. Her consulting interests include strategic thinking and business acumen, multinational entry mode decision making and cross cultural perspectives in strategic decision making.
Dr. Saha, a Fellow of IIM Calcutta with a Ph.D. in Management, earned his B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. Specializing in post-colonial management studies, critical management studies, and the digital economy, he served as an Assistant Professor at IIT Kharagpur before joining IIM Calcutta in 2003. Currently a Professor of Strategic Management, Prof. Saha has co-authored influential books and journals widely adopted in premier business schools, showcasing his significant impact on management education.
"APSMCL has given me the perspective to maintain an open mind and approach things objectively rather than unquestioningly accepting what is presented. I am deeply grateful to Prof. Saha and Prof. Mohanty for guiding us in strategic thinking and leadership development and emphasizing our personal growth."
"I chose APSMCL to understand strategy in my current role clearly. In today's world, strategy is often a buzzword that needs clear explanations. This course provided valuable insights into how to analyse strategies. With the guidance of expert professors, I gained a global perspective on applying strategic concepts in organisations. This knowledge has been significant for business leaders to understand the core of the strategy."
“APSMCL has been an eye-opener for me by helping me gain a deeper understanding of strategy and questioning my long-held beliefs on this subject. I firmly believe that this course should be taken by anyone who wishes to get into leadership roles or those already in it. I am sure it will provide them a new way to observe the business world."
The past batches of APSMCL have witnessed participation from Middle & Senior Management professionals from diverse industry sectors.
Few of the sectors that past participants belonged to, being:
Manufacturing
Banking & Financial Services
IT Services
Consulting
Pharma & Healthcare
Automobile
Telecom
Real Estate
HR
Operation
And many more...
Strategies form the guiding framework that aligns all organisational efforts toward common goals. They provide a clear roadmap, ensuring every action and decision contributes to the organisation's objectives. Understanding the role of strategies helps efficiently allocate resources, focusing on initiatives that contribute most to organisational success. In essence, acknowledging the role of strategy empowers corporate leaders to make informed decisions, fostering success, adaptability and sustained growth.
The IIM strategic management programme provides a robust framework for participants to develop a strategic mindset. By exploring, strategic management theories and models, you can critically analyse and anticipate the implications of various strategies, enabling you to make informed decisions that positively impact organisational performance.
The strategic management programme at IIM Calcutta emphasises a structured approach to tackling business challenges by guiding participants in developing and implementing solutions. You will learn to assess the effectiveness of these solutions, ensuring a systematic and strategic approach to addressing the diverse challenges organizations face in today's dynamic business environment.
The IIM Calcutta strategic leadership programme facilitates the real-world application of learning by implementing bottom-line-driven strategies, cultivating a strategic approach to business thinking, effectively translating organizational goals into actionable plans, understanding strategic decision-making, systematically providing a structured approach to tackle business challenges and assessing solution effectiveness.
APSMCL is among the best strategy courses specifically designed to prepare participants for leadership roles by offering modules that focus on developing a strategic mindset, steering business direction and driving growth. Through strategic thinking, managing platformisation in the digital economy and leading change during institutional transitions, the programme equips individuals with the skills needed for strategic decision-making and leadership responsibilities.
APSMCL is aimed at managers and leaders in organisations currently in roles requiring them to handle strategic issues. Profit centre heads or managers looking to move into such roles can also apply. Founders of small and mid-sized firms and senior leaders of large organisations seeking to move into CXO roles in the near term would find the leadership programme very useful. Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 50% marks in any discipline. Additionally, a minimum of 7 years of working experience is necessary.
The course in strategic planning is delivered primarily through live online sessions on the VCNow platform, with direct-to-desktop (D2D) mode ensuring seamless accessibility. Additionally, participants will be able to engage in an 11-day on- campus immersion at the IIM Calcutta campus, with three campus visits of 4, 3 and 4 days each. These visits are placed at the programme's beginning, middle and end to provide essential support and hands-on assistance. Live online sessions are scheduled every Friday (6 PM to 9 PM), considering working professionals' busy schedules.
Programme Fees
Application fee (Non-refundable): INR 2,500 + GST
Programme fee (Excluding application fee): INR 3,90,000 + GST
Instalment schedule
| On commitment | Instalment - I | Instalment - II | Instalment - III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 10 days of issuance of offer letter | Feb 22, 2027 | INR April 12, 2027 | INR June 12, 2027 |
| INR 50,000 + GST | INR 1,00,000 + GST | INR INR 1,20,000 + GST | INR INR 1,20,000 + GST |
| On commitment | Instalment - I | Instalment - II | Instalment - III |
| Within 10 days of issuance of offer letter | Feb 22, 2027 | April 12, 2027 | June 12, 2027 |
| INR 50,000 + GST | INR 1,00,000 + GST | INR 1,20,000 + GST | INR 1,20,000 + GST |
First Round of application closes on – 30th September 2026
Programme commencing: 5th March, 2027
Note: All dates are subject to change as per sole discretion of the institute.
Get the guidance you need to make sure that you are making the right decision here. Consult VCNow’s Senior Programme Advisors at (+91) 8506099081.
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