IIMB welcomes 541 students to PGP & 77 to PGP in Business Analytics with an inauguration ceremony on 8 June
The new cohort includes a record 41% female students of the total of 618
8 June, 2026, Bengaluru: IIM Bangalore welcomed the new batch of students to its two-year fulltime MBA programmes: Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) and the Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA), 2026-2028 batch, with an inauguration program on 8th June 2026. This year has 541 PGP and 77 PGP in Business Analytics students joining the cohort, including a whopping 41% female students of the total of 618, the highest so far at the Institute. The orientation program will be conducted from 8th June till 14th June 2026.
Special address by Chief Guest
The inauguration ceremony featured the keynote address by the Chief Guest – Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Mallika Sarabhai. By prioritizing an audience-first approach, and through sharing her life experiences with humor, she made an immediate connect with the new students. The conversation was moderated by two second-year PGP students of IIMB.
While answering questions during the fireside chat, she made few interesting observations. “While both IIMA and IIMB campuses are beautiful in terms of architecture, in terms of horticulture – IIMB scores better”, she observed.
Regarding how her career journey aligned with her family’s aspirations, Dr. Sarabhai, a significant contributor to the arts and society, to human rights, environment, inclusion, and more, said, “My family wanted to build a new India. For me, it was always about building a more just, equitable and dignified country. Parents need to bring up children with values and trust their capability. My parents did not have too many expectations from us, but they instilled values.” She did talk about challenges she faced from society, which believed that she had a privileged background, being born to renowned parents – space scientist and founding Director of IIMA Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and acclaimed classical dancer and choreographer Smt Mrinalini Sarabhai.
Regarding her approach to leadership, she said, “I grew up in a non-hierarchical institutional pattern. I try to take people along with me and turn them into stakeholders. The key is being a leader as well as being completely democratic. Carrying everybody together and making a difference in other people’s lives is very important to me.”
She appealed to the students to give back to the earth. “You have to redefine success and make positive impact, otherwise we will all be doomed.” She also lauded IIMB for its sustainability initiatives.
While discussing her memoir, ‘In Free Fall: My Experiments With Living’, she advised the students on how to deal with setbacks. “Do not dwell on them and get on with life.”
She ended on a high note by sharing a story relating to The Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, a renowned arts and education centre located in Ahmedabad, which is directed by her currently. “Two trees in the campus had perished. We noticed that a new species came up in one of the trees, by maybe a seed dropped by a bird. The trunk of the other tree fell off, and from it, out came a completely new tree. Careers are not built on achievements only – but on values, courage and giving back to society.”
Welcome addresses
The inauguration also included an inspiring address by Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore. He invited the new cohort to be part of one of the best campuses in the world, referring to the IIMB campus winning the 17th spot among ‘The 25 Most Significant Works of Post-War Architecture’, according to The New York Times Style Magazine. “I am sure your new journey will be fruitful and successful”, he said, and narrated the story of two monks to explain to the students the value of internal calm, when facing adversity or “muddy roads”, as he termed the same. “You may not always get the grades or CGP that you expect, but do not carry that extra baggage. Keep your mind at ease (that is real success), and understand that there are many definitions of success. We need to succeed in demolishing the devil that exists in all of us. You will learn all that in course of your IIMB journey, and two years down the road, at the time of your Convocation, you will be really proud of yourself as a person.”
Terming this day as a “hallmark day” in the lives of the incoming students, Prof. Manaswini Bhalla, Chairperson, Post Graduate Programme in Management and PGP in Business Analytics, and faculty of the Economics area, in her address said, “As you become part of this great Institute today, you must thank your family, friends and everyone else who supported you along the way. Your journey at IIMB will define and redefine you – and I hope you become a better version of yourselves.”
Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean, Programmes, Chairperson, Office of International Affairs, and faculty of the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management area, during her address, shared three ideas with the new cohort. “As you go through the programme, do not just look at grades or other tangible outcomes. Look for experiences that will stay with you. Second, try and come out of your comfort zone, network with everyone in this diverse cohort, and carry the diversity of thought outside. Thirdly, there is a massive array of activities here. But do not focus on quantity; stay focused on quality.”
Batch Profile
Prof. Arpit Shah of the Public Policy area congratulated the new cohort and shared the admission statistics. “Out of the total 618 students in the new cohort, a whopping 41% are female, which is the highest so far. There are 541 PGP and 77 PGPBA students – 42% are female in PGP and 34% in PGPBA. Altogether 68% are from engineering background (67% in PGP and 78% in PGPBA). Of these, 30% are from the IITs, 21% from NITs and 49% from other institutes. Engineering is followed by Commerce, Science, and Arts and Humanities. The average work experience is of 27 months and average age is 25 years. In terms of international cohort, 15 students have gained admission through GMAT, with the average GMAT score being 713.”
Also included was an address by the Students' Affairs Council (SAC) President Shreyaunsh Ajit Patil on, ‘Life at IIM Bangalore’. The inauguration ceremony concluded with a cultural performance by Miracle on Wheels.
Orientation Program: 8th June to 14th June 2026; Reorientation Program: 14th June 2026
The orientation program will cover interaction of the new students with faculty members and other senior officials (Deans, Chairpersons, etc.) of the Institute regarding introduction to the programmes, learning online, administrative matters, IIMB’s other programmes including exchange programmes, activities, centres, committees and offices, facilities, policies, and more. Case analysis sessions led by IIMB faculty members, workshops and interaction with alumni groups have been scheduled as well. The concluding day on 14th June will also include reorientation for the 2025-27 batch of PGP and PGPBA students.
Distinguished Alumni Awards: 14th June 2026
The recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) for 2026 will be felicitated on 14th June. Instituted in 2007, the Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to alumni in recognition of their achievements of exceptional merit and excellence in their chosen field of endeavour – be it industry, management, entrepreneurship, research, academia, or social service. Each awardee receives a citation, and her/his name is engraved on the IIMB Wall of Fame. The day will feature acceptance speeches by the DAA award winners.
Announcements of the Director’s Merit List, Director’s Honours List, presentation of section toppers and admission scholarships will also be made on that day. IIMB faculty, including Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Prof. Manaswini Bhalla, Prof. Mukta Kulkarni and Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development and faculty of the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management area, will address the incoming batch. The closing ceremony will be led by the SAC President.
Click here for photo gallery
IIMB welcomes 541 students to PGP & 77 to PGP in Business Analytics with an inauguration ceremony on 8 June
The new cohort includes a record 41% female students of the total of 618
8 June, 2026, Bengaluru: IIM Bangalore welcomed the new batch of students to its two-year fulltime MBA programmes: Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) and the Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA), 2026-2028 batch, with an inauguration program on 8th June 2026. This year has 541 PGP and 77 PGP in Business Analytics students joining the cohort, including a whopping 41% female students of the total of 618, the highest so far at the Institute. The orientation program will be conducted from 8th June till 14th June 2026.
Special address by Chief Guest
The inauguration ceremony featured the keynote address by the Chief Guest – Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Mallika Sarabhai. By prioritizing an audience-first approach, and through sharing her life experiences with humor, she made an immediate connect with the new students. The conversation was moderated by two second-year PGP students of IIMB.
While answering questions during the fireside chat, she made few interesting observations. “While both IIMA and IIMB campuses are beautiful in terms of architecture, in terms of horticulture – IIMB scores better”, she observed.
Regarding how her career journey aligned with her family’s aspirations, Dr. Sarabhai, a significant contributor to the arts and society, to human rights, environment, inclusion, and more, said, “My family wanted to build a new India. For me, it was always about building a more just, equitable and dignified country. Parents need to bring up children with values and trust their capability. My parents did not have too many expectations from us, but they instilled values.” She did talk about challenges she faced from society, which believed that she had a privileged background, being born to renowned parents – space scientist and founding Director of IIMA Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and acclaimed classical dancer and choreographer Smt Mrinalini Sarabhai.
Regarding her approach to leadership, she said, “I grew up in a non-hierarchical institutional pattern. I try to take people along with me and turn them into stakeholders. The key is being a leader as well as being completely democratic. Carrying everybody together and making a difference in other people’s lives is very important to me.”
She appealed to the students to give back to the earth. “You have to redefine success and make positive impact, otherwise we will all be doomed.” She also lauded IIMB for its sustainability initiatives.
While discussing her memoir, ‘In Free Fall: My Experiments With Living’, she advised the students on how to deal with setbacks. “Do not dwell on them and get on with life.”
She ended on a high note by sharing a story relating to The Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, a renowned arts and education centre located in Ahmedabad, which is directed by her currently. “Two trees in the campus had perished. We noticed that a new species came up in one of the trees, by maybe a seed dropped by a bird. The trunk of the other tree fell off, and from it, out came a completely new tree. Careers are not built on achievements only – but on values, courage and giving back to society.”
Welcome addresses
The inauguration also included an inspiring address by Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore. He invited the new cohort to be part of one of the best campuses in the world, referring to the IIMB campus winning the 17th spot among ‘The 25 Most Significant Works of Post-War Architecture’, according to The New York Times Style Magazine. “I am sure your new journey will be fruitful and successful”, he said, and narrated the story of two monks to explain to the students the value of internal calm, when facing adversity or “muddy roads”, as he termed the same. “You may not always get the grades or CGP that you expect, but do not carry that extra baggage. Keep your mind at ease (that is real success), and understand that there are many definitions of success. We need to succeed in demolishing the devil that exists in all of us. You will learn all that in course of your IIMB journey, and two years down the road, at the time of your Convocation, you will be really proud of yourself as a person.”
Terming this day as a “hallmark day” in the lives of the incoming students, Prof. Manaswini Bhalla, Chairperson, Post Graduate Programme in Management and PGP in Business Analytics, and faculty of the Economics area, in her address said, “As you become part of this great Institute today, you must thank your family, friends and everyone else who supported you along the way. Your journey at IIMB will define and redefine you – and I hope you become a better version of yourselves.”
Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean, Programmes, Chairperson, Office of International Affairs, and faculty of the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management area, during her address, shared three ideas with the new cohort. “As you go through the programme, do not just look at grades or other tangible outcomes. Look for experiences that will stay with you. Second, try and come out of your comfort zone, network with everyone in this diverse cohort, and carry the diversity of thought outside. Thirdly, there is a massive array of activities here. But do not focus on quantity; stay focused on quality.”
Batch Profile
Prof. Arpit Shah of the Public Policy area congratulated the new cohort and shared the admission statistics. “Out of the total 618 students in the new cohort, a whopping 41% are female, which is the highest so far. There are 541 PGP and 77 PGPBA students – 42% are female in PGP and 34% in PGPBA. Altogether 68% are from engineering background (67% in PGP and 78% in PGPBA). Of these, 30% are from the IITs, 21% from NITs and 49% from other institutes. Engineering is followed by Commerce, Science, and Arts and Humanities. The average work experience is of 27 months and average age is 25 years. In terms of international cohort, 15 students have gained admission through GMAT, with the average GMAT score being 713.”
Also included was an address by the Students' Affairs Council (SAC) President Shreyaunsh Ajit Patil on, ‘Life at IIM Bangalore’. The inauguration ceremony concluded with a cultural performance by Miracle on Wheels.
Orientation Program: 8th June to 14th June 2026; Reorientation Program: 14th June 2026
The orientation program will cover interaction of the new students with faculty members and other senior officials (Deans, Chairpersons, etc.) of the Institute regarding introduction to the programmes, learning online, administrative matters, IIMB’s other programmes including exchange programmes, activities, centres, committees and offices, facilities, policies, and more. Case analysis sessions led by IIMB faculty members, workshops and interaction with alumni groups have been scheduled as well. The concluding day on 14th June will also include reorientation for the 2025-27 batch of PGP and PGPBA students.
Distinguished Alumni Awards: 14th June 2026
The recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Awards (DAA) for 2026 will be felicitated on 14th June. Instituted in 2007, the Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to alumni in recognition of their achievements of exceptional merit and excellence in their chosen field of endeavour – be it industry, management, entrepreneurship, research, academia, or social service. Each awardee receives a citation, and her/his name is engraved on the IIMB Wall of Fame. The day will feature acceptance speeches by the DAA award winners.
Announcements of the Director’s Merit List, Director’s Honours List, presentation of section toppers and admission scholarships will also be made on that day. IIMB faculty, including Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Prof. Manaswini Bhalla, Prof. Mukta Kulkarni and Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development and faculty of the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management area, will address the incoming batch. The closing ceremony will be led by the SAC President.
Click here for photo gallery