~ The 2026-2027 MBA-PGPX batch boasts a diverse student population with an average work experience of 7 years and 6 months.
~ The cohort consists of 114 male students (72%) and 46 female students (28%).
~ Students of the 21 st batch come from a dynamic mix of sectors, including BFSI, Consulting, Energy and Utilities, IT, Manufacturing, Defence and Security, E-commerce, FMCG, Media and Advertising, Aerospace and Aviation, Healthcare, and Transportation and Logistics, among others.
April 15, 2026: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) welcomed 160 experienced professionals to its 21st batch of the One-Year Post Graduate Programme in Management (MBA-PGPX) today. The inaugural ceremony was held in the presence of Professor Satish Deodhar, Dean (Faculty); Professor Diptesh Ghosh, Dean (Programmes); Professor Debjit
Serving as a springboard for ambitious professionals wanting to accelerate their career progression, IIMA’s globally recognised MBA-PGPX integrates the case pedagogy with a dynamic global management education.
Addressing the incoming MBA-PGPX batch, Professor Satish Deodhar, Dean (Faculty), IIMA, noted the diversity of the cohort, saying, “This year’s batch represents a rich mix of participants from diverse academic disciplines, including both engineering and non- engineering backgrounds, as well as professionals from several industries. Such diversity is a great strength of the programme, as it brings varied perspectives into the classroom and enriches peer learning. In today’s rapidly changing and uncertain world, such opportunities to strengthen one’s leadership and managerial capabilities are invaluable. I hope you will make the most of this journey.”
Highlighting the unique takeaways of the MBA-PGPX, Professor Diptesh Ghosh, Dean (Programmes), said, “Your batch possesses people from various industries and with significant work experience. While you will learn a lot within the classroom and from our faculty, there will be many opportunities to learn from your peers as well. Another unique takeaway from IIMA’s PGPX is our commitment towards the application of knowledge, aligned with the Institute’s motto. Throughout this programme, a majority of your classes will prompt you to apply theoretical knowledge to both uncertain and ambiguous real-world situations. You will learn the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and learn how to tackle challenges from diverse perspectives.”
Professor Debjit Roy, Chairperson, MBA-PGPX, welcomed the incoming batch and emphasised the increasing relevance of the MBA-PGPX within the current geopolitical scenario, saying, “Today, discussions on global disruptions are taking the centre stage in boardrooms. In such uncertain times, IIMA’s MBA-PGPX not only focuses on career progression from mid-level to senior and top leadership roles but also equips you with functional depth and strategic decision-making skills. The PGPX structure is periodically reviewed, and new courses and case studies are introduced to address business challenges. The rigorous programme structure sharpens clarity, instils purpose, and empowers you to lead decisively during unpredictable junctures.”
The 2026-2027 MBA-PGPX batch boasts students from diverse professional backgrounds, with 114 male students (72%) and 46 female students (28%). 36.43% of the students possess international exposure in terms of work and studies, and the batch holds an average work experience of 7 years and 6 months.
Students of this batch come from a dynamic mix of sectors, including Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Consulting, Energy and Utilities, IT, Manufacturing, Defence and Security, E-commerce, FMCG, Media and Advertising, Aerospace and Aviation, Healthcare, and Transportation and Logistics, among others. The sectors of BFSI, Consulting, and Energy and Utilities boast the highest number of students, at 22 per sector. They are followed by IT & ITeS (15), Manufacturing/Engineering (14), Defence and Security (10), IT Products (9), and Retail/E-commerce (7).
The Institute has designed a three-day orientation programme to acquaint students with the Institute and its core values and culture.
MBA-PGPX 2026-2027: Profile of Students
Total Number of Students in the Batch: 160
| Parameter | Average |
| GMAT (19 Students) | 691 |
| GMAT-FOCUS (108 Students) | 652 |
| GRE (33 Students) | 323 |
| Total work experience | 7 Years 6 months |
| International work experience | 0 Years 4 months |
| Age as on March 31, 2026 | 30 Years, 8 Months |
About IIM Ahmedabad: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) is a premier global management Institute that is at the forefront of promoting excellence in the field of management education. In more than six decades of its existence, the Institute has been acknowledged for its exemplary contributions to scholarship, practice, and policy through its distinctive teaching, high-quality research, nurturing future leaders, supporting industry, government, social enterprise, and creating a progressive impact on society.
IIMA was founded as an innovative initiative by the Government, industry, and international academia in 1961. Since then, it has been consolidating its global footprint and today it has a network with over 80 top international institutions and a presence in Dubai. Its eminent faculty members and around 46,000 alumni, who are at the helm of influential positions in all walks of life also contribute to its global recognition. Over the years, IIMA’s academically superior, market-driven, and socially impactful programmes, have earned a high reputation and acclaim globally. It became the first Indian institution to receive international accreditation from EQUIS. The Institute is also placed first in the Government of India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), India Rankings 2025. The Institute has been ranked 35th globally in the Financial Times (FT) Executive Education (Open) Rankings 2025. The renowned flagship two-year Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) is ranked 34th in the FT Masters in Management Ranking 2025 and the Full-Time One-Year Post Graduate Programme in Management (MBA-PGPX) has been ranked 27th in the FT Global MBA rankings 2026.
IIMA offers consultancy services and more than 200 curated executive education programmes in customised, blended, and open enrolment formats for a diverse audience comprising business leaders, policymakers, industry professionals, academicians, government officials, armed forces personnel, agri-business, and other niche sector specialists and entrepreneurs.
To know more about the Institute, please visit: https://www.iima.ac.in/
For media queries, please contact:
Ms. Shivangi Bhatt | manager-comm@iima.ac.in
Ms. Krishna Barot| pr@iima.ac.in
