I am confused between new IIMs and DFS. can anybody clarify advantage of one over other?

Before you dive into this decision, make sure you're set on specializing in finance for your MBA. Out of the new IIMs, only IIM Ranchi and IIM Trichy stand out for finance. The rest aren't quite up to par.

Here's why IIM Trichy and Ranchi could be a good choice:

• You'll carry the IIM brand, although it might lose its shine once you're working.
• If you decide to switch from finance to marketing, operations, or another area, you can easily do so.
• A larger batch size means better networking and improving your people skills.

Now, let's look at DFS:

• The return on investment beats all the new IIMs since the tuition is just 26k, plus your personal costs.
• The DU brand is strong, though it might not hold as much weight after you start your career.
• No other school ranked above DFS offers the same level of finance knowledge and exposure.
• Being in Delhi is a plus that you’ll appreciate once you’re in a B-School.
• The professors are experienced and approachable.

Consider these downsides for IIM Trichy and Ranchi:

• IIM Ranchi doesn’t have a permanent campus yet, so you’ll need to travel a lot between the hostel and classes.
• The fees are hefty and could take about five years to pay off, assuming an average salary and a 10% yearly salary increase.
• The environment includes strict committees and some politics.
• If placements don't meet expectations, the loan pressure can be overwhelming.
• If you decide to do research or prepare for IAS, the loan can feel like a trap.

And the downsides for DFS:

• The batch size is small, only 64 students.
• It focuses only on finance, which is risky if you change your mind about your specialization.
• Students manage placements and events, which can be either good or bad depending on the batch’s attitude.

Good luck with your decision!

As someone studying at DFS, I can confidently say it's top-notch for Finance in India. Right from the start, students dive into core Finance topics, and the curriculum is designed to help engineers grasp the fundamentals in the first semester. The courses are frequently updated to align with industry trends, with recent focus areas like Fintech.

While the new IIMs do have a strong brand name, this becomes less significant after about five years. One major advantage of DFS is its excellent Return-On-Investment, which the IIMs can't quite match. So, if you're passionate about Finance, DFS is a great option. But if ROI isn't a big concern, then the new IIMs are also a solid choice.