IIM Nagpur Welcomes 12th MBA and 6th PhD Batches; Women Form Majority in MBA Cohort
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Nagpur, July 12: Demonstrating the evolving landscape of management education in India, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur formally inaugurated its 12th MBA Batch (2026–2028) and 6th PhD Batch (2026–2030) on Sunday, marking another milestone in its academic journey with a strong emphasis on diversity, gender inclusion, and multidisciplinary learning.
A defining feature of the incoming MBA cohort is the majority representation of women, with 177 women (52%) and 164 men (48%) among the 341 students admitted to the institute’s flagship MBA programme. The trend is equally notable in the doctoral programme, where six of the seven newly admitted PhD scholars are women, reflecting the growing participation of women in higher management education and research.
Another significant shift is the growing preference for management education among students from non-engineering disciplines. For the first time, candidates from commerce, economics, humanities, sciences and other academic streams have outnumbered engineering graduates in the MBA batch, indicating broader acceptance of multidisciplinary education in India’s business schools.
The new batch represents 23 states across the country, bringing together students from varied academic, professional and cultural backgrounds, thereby strengthening the institute’s commitment to creating a nationally diverse learning environment.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Ms. Gautami Tadimalla, actor, television host and public speaker, who attended as the Chief Guest, and Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TATA AutoComp Systems Ltd, who was the Guest of Honour.
The event was presided over by Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, along with senior faculty members including Prof. Prashant Gupta, Dean (Faculty & Academics); Prof. Sujeet Kumar Sharma, Dean (Research and PhD Programmes); Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean (Executive Education); Prof. Prakash Awasthy, Chairperson (MBA); Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson (Admissions); and Prof. Ranjitha G. P., Chairperson (Student Affairs). Newly admitted students, their parents, faculty members, institute officials and invited dignitaries were also present.
Addressing the students, Ms. Gautami Tadimalla encouraged them to pursue excellence while preserving compassion and empathy.
“You have already achieved something remarkable by earning admission to IIM Nagpur. The institute will equip you with management knowledge and technological skills, but never lose your humanity. True success lies in improving the lives of others,” she remarked.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar described admission to IIM Nagpur as an achievement reserved for a select few and applauded the institute’s gender diversity.
“Industries today struggle to achieve even 25 per cent women representation, whereas this batch has 52 per cent women students. This is a remarkable milestone and reflects the changing face of leadership in India,” he observed.
Highlighting India’s economic aspirations, Kolhatkar noted that the country is well-positioned to become a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047, adding that today’s management graduates would play a vital role in realising this national vision.
Welcoming the new students and their families, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri said the students had made the right choice by joining IIM Nagpur at a transformational moment in India’s growth story.
“India is poised to become one of the world’s leading economic powers. This century belongs to India, and you must prepare yourselves to become global leaders capable of shaping the future,” he said.
During the ceremony, Prof. Prakash Awasthy welcomed the gathering, while Prof. Rakesh Gupta presented the admission report for the new batch. Prof. Prashant Gupta outlined the institute’s academic framework and learning ecosystem. Prof. Sujeet Kumar Sharma introduced the research ecosystem and doctoral programmes, while Prof. Alok Kumar Singh highlighted the rapid expansion and achievements of the institute’s executive education initiatives. The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Ranjitha G. P.
The ceremony also recognised academic excellence through the presentation of the Director’s Merit List Certificates to outstanding incoming students. Scholarships under the IIM Nagpur Scholarship Programme and the Cheema Group Scholarships were awarded to deserving candidates by Mrs. Kokila Cheema, Director of K. S. Cheema Group of Companies, along with Dr. Bhimaraya Metri.
Diverse Representation Across India
The newly admitted MBA batch comprises students from 23 states, reflecting IIM Nagpur’s growing national footprint. Maharashtra leads with 65 students, followed by Uttar Pradesh (39), Madhya Pradesh (31), Gujarat (25), Delhi (23), Rajasthan (19), Bihar (17), Jharkhand (15), Haryana (13), Telangana (12), and 10 students each from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
The institute has also welcomed students from India’s North-Eastern region, including Assam (3), Mizoram (2), Nagaland (1), and Tripura (1), further enhancing the geographical diversity of the cohort.
The average age of the incoming MBA students is 23 years, while nearly 40 per cent bring prior professional work experience, creating a balanced classroom environment that combines fresh perspectives with industry exposure.
A Reflection of India’s Changing Management Education Landscape
The composition of the 2026–28 MBA batch reflects broader shifts in Indian higher education. Increasing participation of women, greater representation from non-engineering disciplines, and wider geographical diversity underline the changing aspirations of young professionals and the growing appeal of management education beyond its traditional demographic base.
As IIM Nagpur enters another academic year, the institute continues to position itself as a leading centre for management education, leadership development, research, and executive learning, preparing future business leaders to contribute to India’s expanding role in the global economy.
