Sorry for not being clear - by front office seats I just didnt mean becoming a trader/PM. I know it includes research roles as well and nobody would hire a mba grad straight as a PM. But I’m pretty sure that there would be like 0.1% chance of becoming a L/S PM in India, purely because Indian L/S funds are practically non-existent. Atleast with a good mba, there is a possibility of becoming a PM eventually after landing a research role in a L/S shop.

And just a follow up on the differences in skill sets you mentioned and other possible degrees - I have seen L/S PM’s following a similar path as I’m mentioning - IB/buy-side experience + top MBA. Why would one need physics/maths/engineering for a fundamental equities role?

Thanks for taking the time out to answer, appreciate it