A notable increase in female enrollment has been reported at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai for the current academic session, formerly known as the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE). This year, women make up 47.1% of the total intake, a significant rise from 21% in the previous year.
Out of the 518 students admitted to various MBA programs, 245 are female, marking a historic shift in the institute's gender composition, which male students have traditionally dominated. This surge is attributed to revised admission criteria that now welcome candidates from non-engineering backgrounds, aiming to diversify the student body and attract more women.
Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Rauf Iqbal, highlighted the institute's commitment to inclusivity, stating, “This year the institute has received participation of students, both men and women, from across multiple disciplines and this has been instrumental in opening opportunities to students, particularly women from diverse fields to apply.” As quoted by The Indian Express.
Since attaining IIM status last year, the institute has expanded its academic offerings to include MBA programs in General Management, Sustainability and Management, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. Among these, the MBA (General) program leads with 177 female students out of 315, demonstrating a strong interest among women in pursuing management education.
The MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management enrolled 55 female students out of 173, while the MBA in Sustainability Management saw 13 women among its 31 new students. This diversity in student profiles underscores IIM Mumbai's commitment to preparing a balanced cohort of future business leaders.