IIM Ahmedabad is indeed different from IIM B, C, K, and I in many aspects. Some of these aspects are it’s:

• Discipline: when it comes to discipline, IIMA tops the list. The first year is a real-life challenge for students with hundreds of cases to study, group assignments and projects.

• Case pedagogy: This is the highlight of the IIM Ahmedabad curriculum. IIMAs curriculum aligns with that of Harvard Business School. So it focuses more on problem-solving classes.

• Architecture: IIMs pride lies in its heritage architecture. The red bricks surrounding the semicircular arches enhance the campus’ appearance tenfold.

• Crowd: Without any doubt, the cream of students get into IIMA. This is because it has the highest cutoff.

• Faculty: IIMA has top-notch faculty while some of them are IIM Ahmedabad alumni themselves.

IIM Ahmedabad is different from other IIMs in all these aspects. But what really sets it apart is its director Ravi Matthai and his systems cultivating accountability and autonomy.

My friend is a PGPEX alumnus and claims that the program helped him double the salary he receives from his regular MBA. The ‘X’ in the program often is a source of hesitation for many prospective students ao it’s better the programs get the hype they deserve. 

As far as choosing between IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore is concerned, I would recommend you go for the latter. IIM Bangalore has a better placement scenario and also has common classes across the institute in elective terms giving you a wider peer network. IIM Ahmedabad on the other hand has a bit of a location disadvantage and the exposure offered is nothing compared to Bangalore. 

Here is a comparative analysis of the placement scenario of the 3 programs namely. IIM Ahmedabad PGPX. IIM Bangalore EPGP and IIM Calcutta MBAx

Irrespective of the B school you choose between FMS and IIM Calcutta, you will surely have a bright future with many job opportunities. Had I been in your place I would have gone for IIM Calcutta for the following obvious reasons:

• Infrastructure - IIM ABC are well known for state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities which is lacking in the part of FMS. The quality of college life is a crucial determining factor for any B School. IIM Calcutta offers a holistic B School experience.
• Brand value: Sole of the most eminent personalities like Indra Nooyi and Ramachandra Guha, have graduated from IIM Calcutta improving its overall brand name. This branch-name comes into play while setting up your own business.
• Alumni network: IIM Calcutta gives access to the elaborate IIM Calcutta alumni base. 
• Entrepreneurship: Another major perk of IIM Calcutta is its IIMCIP or innovation park to incubate promising startups. It has produced alumni like Ajit Balakrishnan (founder of Rediff.com) who have started and led successful companies.

FMS too has an elaborate list of successful alumni but IIM Calcutta is clearly a winner here.

For those who claim FMS provides better ROI, I don’t think a 20 Lakh loan might be an obstacle to your entrepreneurial plans. Most education loans have repayment periods of 15+ years and banks waive off interest rates and collateral requirements for IIM students. 

For HR career aspirants, XLRI is unquestionably the best in Asia; for non-HR candidates, IIMC is by far the better option.

The Benefits of IIMC Over XLRI:

• In comparison to XL, the IIM tag is more well-known outside of India.

• A larger batch means a greater number of successful alumni worldwide.

• It increases the number of marquee recruiters in finance, consulting, marketing, systems, and operations. The alum network is extremely strong in finance and consulting, including leading HR consulting firms.

• After living in Jamshedpur for two years, one can appreciate it even more because it is located in one of the metros.

• XLRI loses companies despite being a good BSchool because many marquee recruiters do not want to visit Jamshedpur, which is not well-connected.

• In comparison to some B-schools, XLRI has a lower percentage of IIT/BITS students in its batch.

The Benefits of XLRI Over IIMC

• A smaller batch size promotes better bonding among batchmates.

• Gender diversity is astounding.

• Because the majority of HR heads in respected companies attended XLRI, their placement can reach almost any company.

• Because of the small batch size, even the worst performers (purely from a placement standpoint, not academically) get decent jobs, which is not possible at any of the top IIMs with larger batch sizes.

• One of the world's largest private equity funds recruits one summer intern exclusively from XLRI every year in India, which could be a very important criterion if one has that kind of profile.

IIM Calcutta and XLRI share more cultural similarities than IIM C and IIM A or B.

This question can be best answered by someone who has had a taste of both campuses. Fortunately one of my friends was lucky enough to move to IIM Ahmedabad after studying for a year at IIM Kozhikode. He shared his experience and the various things that contrasted in both the B Schools.

Faculty: Being the topmost B School, IIM Ahmedabad does attract some of the best faculties that are experts in their fields. They had too much knowledge and experience to impart making the classes a thrilling experience.

Crowd: While the crowd at almost all the good B Schools attracts only the best, IIM Ahmedabad is famous for its exceptionally good peer groups with only geniuses and masterminds in their respective fields.

Academic rigor: Normally B Schools offer a very hectic life with academic pressure combined with placements and clubs and committee activities. But at IIM Ahmedabad the topmost preference is Academics only. You are required to attend 3 lectures of 75 minutes of case study daily. These case studies are extremely lengthy and on average you are required to read 300 pages every day. Such economic rigor is lacking in the case of IIM Kozhikode.

There are several more minor differences between IIM Kozhikode and IIM Ahmedabad but these 3 are the main things an aspirant needs to consider while choosing one of the two B Schools.