A breakdown of an IIM Ahmedabad student's monthly expenses has gone viral on social media, prompting discussions about the cost of living at India's premier management institutes and whether pursuing an MBA remains financially viable for middle-class students.

Vivek Kundu, a student at IIM Ahmedabad, shared a video revealing that he spent ₹24,000 in a month, explaining that he generally tries to keep his monthly expenses below ₹25,000. The video quickly gained traction online, with users debating whether such expenditure is justified given the already high cost of an MBA.

According to Kundu, food accounted for the largest share of his monthly budget, with nearly ₹14,000 spent on meals. He also spent around ₹3,500 on Swiggy orders and grocery purchases from DMart, while additional expenses included stationery, haircuts, transportation, sports, medicines, subscriptions and social activities.

Responding to the online discussion, Kundu clarified that the ₹24,000 spending represented the higher end of his usual monthly expenditure, which typically ranges between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000.

"At first glance, the monthly expense may seem quite high, but the figures I shared are on the upper end and can certainly be reduced," he told Hindustan Times. He explained that students who opt for the institute's hostel mess subscription can reduce food expenses by 50–60%.

Kundu also noted that his grocery spending was unusually high because he had recently returned from vacation and needed to purchase several household essentials, making many of those expenses one-time purchases. With better planning and fewer discretionary expenses, he believes students can comfortably manage their monthly budget at around ₹15,000.

The viral post drew mixed reactions on social media. While some users questioned whether spending nearly ₹6 lakh over two years on living expenses—apart from tuition fees—was affordable for middle-class families, others appreciated Kundu's transparency and emphasis on self-care during a demanding academic programme.

Addressing concerns about financing an MBA, Kundu highlighted that many IIM students rely on education loans, while others receive support through merit- and need-based scholarships, case competition prize money, summer internship stipends, and savings from previous work experience.

The discussion has once again brought attention to the rising cost of higher education in India, with students increasingly balancing academic aspirations against the financial realities of pursuing degrees at the country's top business schools.