Work-life balance among academicians at a higher education institution (HEI) plays a critical role and it has the potential to influence the quality of education, research, students, the future of business organisations and the overall impact on society at large. The current study investigates the work-life balance of faculty in Indian higher education institutions especially business schools and how it affects the process of delivering education. The questions were developed utilizing the body of research and a pilot study conducted with faculty in business management institutions. The research questions aimed to explore the key factors affecting work-life balance and their effect on the quality of management education in Indian business schools. Data was gathered from 58 faculty members through audio-recorded, semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 31), focused group discussions (n = 2), and open-ended surveys (n = 15). The data was manually transcribed and ATLAS.ti 25 was used to analyse texts and identify themes using qualitative content analysis techniques. ATLAS.ti 25's AI coding, including intentional AI coding, was used to refine the analysis and themes. The analysis begins with inductive, in-vivo, and thematic coding, which is followed by the creation of code categories, axial coding, and themes. The emerging themes include limited time for faculty, long working hours, research pressure, significant non-teaching responsibilities, unfavorable working environment, multiple responsibilities that lead to an impact on health, family, and social life. Higher education institutions (HEI) can take appropriate measures to address challenges that can significantly improve the quality of higher education, and skill development of future managers, deliver research output, and impact the future of business organisations. Furthermore, researchers can extend the findings, i.e. long working hours, research pressure, high administrative work, limited time for faculty, unhealthy working environment, by employing bigger sample size and quantitative techniques to generalize the phenomenon under investigation. Furthermore, higher education institutions, especially the business management schools in other settings, can learn to do research on challenges, implement corrective measures, and assist their stakeholders.