How Did a Power Grid Deputy Manager Convert IIM Calcutta PGPEX in Round 1?
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
Akshay Kusumkar, a Deputy Manager at Power Grid Corporation of India with 6 years of experience in power sector project management, shares his journey of converting IIM Calcutta PGPEX in Round 1 — discovering that achievements he considered "casual" were application gold, navigating the unique challenges PSU professionals face in the MBA admissions process, and why the entire application took 3-4 months of rigorous brainstorming to complete.
Public sector professionals occupy one of the most interesting — and underserved — positions in the MBA applicant landscape. They bring substantial project management experience, government-scale operations, and exposure to infrastructure that shapes the country. But they also face a specific set of challenges that private sector applicants rarely encounter: limited awareness of the MBA admissions ecosystem, a career path that does not naturally encourage industry-switching, and the deeply ingrained belief that their work is "too routine" to be compelling in an application.
Akshay Kusumkar shattered that belief. From managing railway electrification projects at Power Grid Corporation — one of India's largest central PSUs — to converting IIM Calcutta PGPEX in Round 1, his journey demonstrates that PSU experience is not a limitation. It is a differentiation asset — when framed correctly.
Why Would a Deputy Manager at Power Grid Pursue a One-Year MBA?
Akshay's motivation addresses a reality that many PSU professionals feel but rarely articulate.
"At some point down the line — two, three years into the job — I had this thought of taking this a step further. In my view, I find it a bit monotonous in public sectors. And it takes a lot of time to jump up that ladder which I am planning to do in a lesser amount of time."
This is not a rejection of PSU careers. It is a recognition that the career velocity in public sector undertakings is structurally constrained — promotions follow seniority schedules, lateral moves are limited, and exposure to different industries or functions is rare. An MBA from a top institution accelerates what would otherwise take a decade of incremental progression.
"The only resort I figured out to do it at a scaled or an advanced level is through MBA. Since I already had a handful of experience of four-five years, I decided to opt for a one-year MBA programme."
For PSU professionals evaluating their options, the one-year format is particularly appealing. It minimises time away from the career (compared to a two-year programme), and the executive-oriented cohort ensures peers with similar experience levels — unlike two-year programmes where you might share a classroom with candidates fresh out of college.
For understanding the IIM Calcutta PGPEX programme, how to get into IIM executive MBA from a PSU background, and the broader landscape of IIM one-year MBA programmes, explore the GOALisB resources.
What Are the Specific Challenges PSU Professionals Face in MBA Applications?
Akshay identifies the core challenge with precision: "Belonging to this stream of public sector undertakings, there is not a lot of awareness present to decide what to do further or how to go ahead if you decide to switch your stream, switch your industry."
This awareness gap is the PSU applicant's biggest disadvantage — and it is entirely addressable. Private sector professionals in consulting, tech, or finance are surrounded by MBA alumni, have access to B-school networks through their employers, and operate in an ecosystem where the MBA is a well-understood career move. PSU professionals have none of this ambient knowledge. They are often the first person in their professional circle to attempt an MBA application.
"I was very confused. Finding your guidance was actually a milestone for me because you always asked about my preferences and later on it helped me curate a particular thing that I want to do."
The confusion is not about capability — it is about navigation. Which schools to target, which test to take, when to apply, how to position a PSU career for admissions committees that predominantly evaluate private sector profiles — these are questions that require specialised guidance, not general research.
For PSU professionals starting their MBA journey, read about how a PSU professional navigated the IIMA PGPX application and explore the guide on getting into IIM without CAT using GMAT scores.
How Long Does the IIM Application Process Really Take for PSU Professionals?
Akshay's answer will surprise applicants who think an MBA application is a form to fill out over a weekend.
"It took around 3-4 months for me to complete all these things. After a lot of brainstorming sessions, the thing that was very raw initially came to a precise answer. It was very beautiful when I was reading it myself."
Three to four months. For one application cycle. This includes the introspection questionnaire, essay drafting and revision, letters of recommendation coordination, and interview preparation. The brainstorming alone — answering the GOALisB questionnaire — required thinking back 10-15 years.
"I had to think 10 years back, 15 years back — what I did that time, how all my habits have changed, how my attitude has changed, what are the achievements, how I achieved those awards and recognitions."
And here is the insight that makes the entire process worthwhile: "Things that I did in my job were actually casual to me. But it was a precious thing when it came out on paper."
This is the PSU applicant's blind spot in its purest form. Managing a railway electrification project across multiple sites, coordinating with government agencies, navigating bureaucratic complexity to deliver critical infrastructure on schedule — these are extraordinary achievements. But to the professional who does them daily, they are just "work." The brainstorming process surfaces these experiences and reveals their true value in the admissions context.
For understanding how to approach MBA application essays and the MBA application checklist, explore the GOALisB resources.
Why Is Round 1 Especially Important for PSU Professionals?
Akshay's Round 1 strategy was deliberate — and his reasoning provides a framework for all one-year MBA applicants.
"Since I had my GMAT score in hand — it was a pretty decent score of 93rd percentile on GMAT Focus — we decided to opt for Round 1 itself."
The Round 1 advantage for PSU professionals is amplified by a factor that private sector applicants do not always face: the difficulty of getting leave for interviews and programme attendance. PSU transfer policies, notice periods, and approval chains are more rigid than private sector norms. Applying in Round 1 gives PSU professionals the maximum time buffer to navigate organisational logistics.
"I was very comfortable in Round 1 because then I could plan some things for other colleges also. I had that buffer — if I could not get into any college in Round 1, I could opt for other colleges in Round 2."
The buffer principle is critical: Round 1 is not just about the primary application. It is about creating a safety net. If Round 1 converts, the journey ends early. If it does not, Round 2 is still available — but without the time pressure that Round 2 applicants face when it is their first attempt.
"Even after applying in Round 1, I felt — how do candidates do it in Round 2 and Round 3? It would have been a much more tedious process."
For application timelines and deadlines across IIM programmes and detailed guidance on Round 1 strategy, explore the GOALisB planning resources.
What Makes Consultant Guidance Different from Self-Preparation for PSU Professionals?
Akshay's answer addresses a deeper learning than just "the consultant helped with essays."
"What I learned from you is not how to answer the question or how to sit an interview. It's the process that I learned — how you approach the questions, how you tackle something that you are not able to grasp the answers to. It is a process that you taught me, not the answers."
This process-versus-answers distinction is crucial. Many applicants expect a consultant to hand them essay templates and interview scripts. What Akshay received was a methodology: how to introspect systematically, how to evaluate which experiences are application-relevant, how to structure a narrative that connects past achievements to future goals.
"It helped me to get over my anxiety, my fear of pushing myself back, which was holding me from taking some bold steps."
For PSU professionals, the psychological dimension is significant. The decision to pursue an MBA from a stable government job involves risk — financial, professional, and personal. A consultant who understands these stakes and helps the applicant build confidence alongside application quality is providing a fundamentally different service from one who simply edits essays.
Watch the full conversation on the GOALisB YouTube channel: Akshay Kusumkar — Power Grid to IIM Calcutta
"Your guidance was really helpful regarding sorting my thoughts about my journey. We had our first call and discussed applying to four colleges. I think that was the time I decided — I will go ahead with this."
For PSU professionals evaluating MBA admissions consultants, explore GOALisB's services, charges, and reviews from past admits.
What Advice Does He Have for PSU Professionals Planning an MBA?
Akshay's guidance is tailored to the PSU context:
Step out of your comfort zone first. "Starting out of your comfort zone is the first step to establish any goal you wish to accomplish. For me also, it was very difficult to start."
Plan your GMAT well in advance. "Parallelly preparing for GMAT while hoping to appear for it just a week before is not a great idea." Akshay took six months for GMAT preparation. Combine this with 3-4 months for applications, and you need a 9-10 month runway.
Do not underestimate the application effort. "It is a lot of groundwork. Just preparing the application is a lot of work." The essays, recommendations, and brainstorming are cognitively demanding — and must be done alongside a full-time PSU job.
Your "casual" achievements are valuable. The work you dismiss as routine — the projects you managed, the teams you led, the problems you solved — becomes compelling application material when properly framed.
Listen to your mentor. "People these days think they are quite smart. But when we are interacting with seasoned mentors, it is very important to listen to what they say."
Be consistent and disciplined. "There will be various setbacks for anyone who starts. But maintaining consistency, being disciplined — that is very important."
Apply in Round 1. The time buffer it creates is invaluable — for logistics, for contingency planning, and for your own peace of mind.
Key Takeaways for PSU Professionals Targeting IIM One-Year MBA Programmes
PSU experience is a differentiation asset, not a limitation. Power sector, railways, oil and gas — these backgrounds bring unique perspectives that admissions committees value, when framed correctly.
The awareness gap is the PSU applicant's biggest challenge. Limited exposure to the MBA admissions ecosystem means structured guidance is not optional — it is essential.
The application process takes 3-4 months of serious work. Budget accordingly. This is not a form that can be filled in a weekend.
Achievements you consider "casual" are often your strongest material. The brainstorming process reveals the true value of experiences you have dismissed as routine.
Round 1 creates a critical time buffer. For PSU professionals navigating organisational logistics, early application timing is especially important.
The consultant teaches you a process, not just answers. The methodology of introspection, narrative building, and interview preparation has value that extends far beyond the application itself.
This admit story is part of the GOALisB Admit Stories series, featuring real journeys of professionals who secured admits to IIM Calcutta PGPEX, IIM Ahmedabad PGPX, IIM Bangalore EPGP, and other top one-year MBA programmes.
GOALisB Higher Education Consulting works with PSU, power sector, defence, and government professionals to build compelling applications for IIM executive MBA programmes and ISB PGP. Connect with GOALisB to discuss your profile and IIM application strategy.
