Women outnumber men in IIM Indore's MBA batch again, making up over 54%
For the second consecutive year, women make up the majority of IIM Indore's flagship MBA-equivalent programme. For the batch of 2026-28, 54.4% of women joined the programme, outnumbering men. The batch also reflects growing academic diversity, with students from medicine, law, journalism and agriculture joining the institute.
Gender diversity at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore is no longer an exception, it is becoming the norm. For the second consecutive year, women have outnumbered men in the institute's flagship Post Graduate Programme (PGP), with female students accounting for 54.4% of the incoming 2026–28 batch.
Out of 487 students admitted this year, 265 are women, continuing the trend seen in the previous batch, which had 262 women and 225 men.
MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS
While the growing representation of women stands out, the latest batch is also one of the institute's most academically diverse.
According to institute officials, 54% of the students come from non-engineering backgrounds, reflecting a shift from the traditional engineering-dominated MBA classroom.
The batch includes graduates from fields such as economics, medicine, journalism, psychology, agriculture, architecture, law, veterinary science and fashion design, alongside students from engineering, technology and computer science.
The institute also said that nearly 43% of the students have joined the programme with prior professional work experience, bringing practical industry exposure into classroom discussions.
BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE CAMPUS
Speaking about the trend, IIM Indore Director Professor Himanshu Rai said the institute considers gender diversity a strategic priority rather than just an admission statistic.
"At IIM Indore, we view gender diversity as a strategic imperative that enriches learning, broadens perspectives, and prepares future leaders for an increasingly dynamic business environment," he said.
Rai added that the institute's sustained efforts, including the gender diversity factor during admissions, faculty mentoring, dedicated awards recognising women achievers, and an inclusive campus ecosystem with leadership, wellness and sports opportunities, have helped improve female representation across its management programmes.
As business schools continue to focus on creating balanced classrooms, IIM Indore's latest admissions reflect a broader shift towards diversity in both gender and academic backgrounds.
(With PTI inputs)
Gender diversity at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore is no longer an exception, it is becoming the norm. For the second consecutive year, women have outnumbered men in the institute's flagship Post Graduate Programme (PGP), with female students accounting for 54.4% of the incoming 2026–28 batch.
Out of 487 students admitted this year, 265 are women, continuing the trend seen in the previous batch, which had 262 women and 225 men.
MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS
While the growing representation of women stands out, the latest batch is also one of the institute's most academically diverse.
According to institute officials, 54% of the students come from non-engineering backgrounds, reflecting a shift from the traditional engineering-dominated MBA classroom.
The batch includes graduates from fields such as economics, medicine, journalism, psychology, agriculture, architecture, law, veterinary science and fashion design, alongside students from engineering, technology and computer science.
The institute also said that nearly 43% of the students have joined the programme with prior professional work experience, bringing practical industry exposure into classroom discussions.
BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE CAMPUS
Speaking about the trend, IIM Indore Director Professor Himanshu Rai said the institute considers gender diversity a strategic priority rather than just an admission statistic.
"At IIM Indore, we view gender diversity as a strategic imperative that enriches learning, broadens perspectives, and prepares future leaders for an increasingly dynamic business environment," he said.
Rai added that the institute's sustained efforts, including the gender diversity factor during admissions, faculty mentoring, dedicated awards recognising women achievers, and an inclusive campus ecosystem with leadership, wellness and sports opportunities, have helped improve female representation across its management programmes.
As business schools continue to focus on creating balanced classrooms, IIM Indore's latest admissions reflect a broader shift towards diversity in both gender and academic backgrounds.
(With PTI inputs)
