IIM Kashipur Convocation 2026: 546 Graduates Reflect a Shift Towards Diversity and Industry-Ready Learning

The Indian Institute of Management Kashipur marked its 13th Annual Convocation by awarding degrees to 546 students, signalling not just academic achievement but a broader transformation in management education—one that increasingly values diversity, experiential learning, and real-world impact.

Diverse Cohort Across Programmes

The graduating batch was spread across five programmes:

• MBA: 280 students
• MBA (Analytics): 160 students
• Executive MBA (E-MBA): 34 students
• Executive MBA in Analytics (EMBAA): 58 students
• PhD: 14 scholars

The scale is significant, but the composition is more telling.

Women’s Representation Sees Strong Growth

One of the defining highlights of this year’s convocation was gender diversity. Women made up 39.19% of the total cohort, up from 33% last year. More notably, the MBA (Analytics) programme recorded over 73% women, indicating a sharp rise in female participation in data and analytics-driven fields.

In a sector often criticised for gender imbalance, this shift suggests that India’s B-schools may finally be correcting course.

Recognition of Academic Excellence

The institute awarded 10 medals to top performers, while 22 students were named to the Director’s Merit List. Beyond numbers, this reflects a continued emphasis on academic rigour alongside holistic development.

The presence of over 24 PwD (Persons with Disabilities) students in the graduating cohort also highlights a growing commitment to inclusivity.

Learning Beyond Classrooms

What sets this batch apart is its exposure beyond textbooks. Under the Experiential Learning Programme, over 300 students worked on 73 live projects across 80+ organisations, focusing on:

• Sustainability
• Rural development
• MSME growth

This shift towards application-based learning signals a departure from traditional MBA models, aligning education more closely with real-world challenges.

Global Exposure and Institutional Standing

IIM Kashipur continues to expand its global footprint through academic collaborations with institutions across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Its consistent ranking among the Top 25 B-schools in the National Institutional Ranking Framework further reinforces its growing reputation.

Leadership Messages: Beyond Degrees

The convocation was presided over by Guhanathan Narendar, who urged students to prioritise integrity and impact over comfort and convention. Guest of Honour Kamal Poddar echoed this sentiment, emphasising adaptability and purpose in a rapidly evolving economy.

Director Neeraj Dwivedi reinforced the institute’s mission: not just to produce skilled professionals, but ethical, future-ready leaders.

The Bigger Picture

Convocations often celebrate closure, but they also reveal direction. At IIM Kashipur, the narrative is clear—management education is evolving. It is becoming more inclusive, more practical, and more aligned with societal needs.

The question now is whether industry—and policy—will keep pace with this transformation.

For the 546 graduates stepping out, the degree is just the beginning. The real test lies ahead: translating knowledge into impact in an increasingly complex world.