An MBA is essentially a 'pre-filtered' network. When you enter IIM A, you aren't just getting a degree; you’re getting the phone numbers of future CEOs. For a first-generation graduate, that access is worth the 25-30 Lakhs. You can learn 'Marketing' on YouTube, but you can't buy the trust that comes with the IIM brand on LinkedIn

While the IIM student is right about the 'Ticket,' we shouldn't ignore the debt trap. If you’re a developer or a designer, your portfolio matters more than a degree. An MBA is great for networking, but if you have a killer product or skill, the market eventually finds you. It’s okay to admit that the 'degree-only' era is slowly cracking, even if it's still the safest bet.

Nikhil Kamath speaks from a position of immense privilege. For someone coming from a Tier-3 city with no family connections in Mumbai or Bangalore, that 'IIM' tag is the only thing that gets a recruiter to look at their resume. It’s not just about the syllabus; it’s about the institutional credibility that acts as a shield against bias.