IIM Kashipur Begins 2025–27 Academic Year with Record Gender Diversity and Global Collaborations
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur has officially launched the academic year 2025–27, welcoming 433 students across its flagship MBA, MBA (Analytics), and PhD programmes. Held from June 23 to 26, the induction programme culminated in a formal inaugural session on June 27, 2025, marking a dynamic start to the new academic cycle.
This year’s cohort is diverse in terms of academic and professional backgrounds and stands out for its historic gender representation, setting a benchmark in inclusivity for management education in India.
Gender Representation Hits New High: 46% Women in 2025–27 Cohort
A standout feature of this year’s intake is the notable rise in female representation. Of the 433 students admitted, 201 are women, comprising approximately 46% of the entire batch — a significant step towards gender parity in management education.
Breaking down the gender composition by programme:
- MBA (Analytics): 157 students enrolled, 115 are women, accounting for a remarkable 73% of the cohort.
- MBA: Out of 265 students, 82 are women, forming 31% of the group.
- PhD Programme: Among 11 scholars, four are women, indicating a healthy presence in research-oriented roles.
This data underscores IIM Kashipur’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. It also reflects broader trends in Indian business education, where women's participation is steadily increasing.
Diverse Academic and Professional Backgrounds Enrich Peer Learning
The newly admitted students represent a variety of academic streams, including arts, commerce, science, and engineering. Many also bring in real-world experience from top companies such as:
- Infosys
- Accenture
- Deloitte
- Wipro
- Larsen & Toubro
- Cognizant
- Capgemini
- EY
- HCL
- ICICI Bank
- HDFC Bank
- Byju’s
This industry diversity adds depth to classroom learning and strengthens peer-to-peer interactions, a key pillar of IIM Kashipur’s pedagogical approach.
Induction Programme Highlights: Leadership, Finance, and Strategy Insights
The induction sessions allowed students to interact with industry veterans and thought leaders, offering a practical perspective on key business areas. Notable speakers included:
- Jitendra Gohil, CFA and Chief Investment Strategist at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited, who shared insights on financial markets and investment strategy.
- Nitin Madan, Managing Director and CFO of Barclays GCC India, who led a session on strategic thinking and financial leadership.
These sessions helped incoming students bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice, setting the tone for the rest of their learning journey.
Inaugural Session Brings Silicon Valley to IIM Kashipur
The inaugural ceremony on June 27 brought an international dimension to the academic year’s launch. Two distinguished speakers from San Jose State University in the United States — a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship — shared their expertise:
- Dr. Anuradha Basu, Director of the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship, delivered a keynote on global innovation trends and entrepreneurship education.
- Mr. Gurmeet Naroola, Adjunct Professor at San Jose State and former executive at Apple and Mahindra GenZe, explored the intersection of AI and entrepreneurial ecosystems, drawing from experiences in both Silicon Valley and India.
Their session emphasized collaboration between IIM Kashipur and global innovation centres, particularly in artificial intelligence, startup incubation, and academic partnerships.
Strengthening International Collaborations
IIM Kashipur is also stepping up its efforts to build international partnerships in higher education. According to an official statement, the institute is actively engaging in initiatives such as the Study in India Programme, which aims to enhance global academic cooperation through:
- Faculty exchange programmes
- Collaborative research projects
- Student mobility opportunities
These initiatives are expected to internationalize the academic environment at IIM Kashipur and provide students with greater global exposure and cross-cultural competence.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Academic Journey
With a strong start to the 2025–27 academic year, IIM Kashipur is positioning itself as a forward-looking institution that values diversity, industry integration, and global outlook. The record number of women students, the influx of experienced professionals, and the focus on global engagement reflect the institute’s evolving identity in the landscape of Indian management education.
As students begin their journey, supported by expert faculty, access to industry networks, and a collaborative peer environment, IIM Kashipur continues to build on its vision of nurturing responsible leaders for tomorrow’s business world.
