Degrees were awarded to students of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme and multiple MBA programmes, including the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM), Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP), Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA), and Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). Students of the Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) received the Master of Management Studies (Public Policy) degree. One PhD scholar received the award for excellence in research, while gold medals were conferred for Best All Round Performance, First Rank, and Second Rank.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Vibha Padalkar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Life, congratulated the graduating class and emphasized the importance of sustained effort in a rapidly evolving business environment. She stated that lasting success is built through consistent choices rather than moments of acceleration, and highlighted that leadership requires balancing short-term performance with long-term value creation. She added that while it is possible to achieve multiple goals, it cannot always be done simultaneously, making prioritization and resilience essential.
Ms Padalkar advised students to view life beyond the pace of a sprint and instead embrace the endurance of a marathon. She noted that institutions and careers evolve through sustained effort, supported by energy, ambition, confidence, and courage, and emphasized that leadership involves integrating multiple perspectives. She further stressed the importance of combining precision with persuasion, building trust over time, and slowing down strategically to achieve sustainable growth.
Sharing personal insights, she identified three pivotal decisions in her life: choosing finance as a career, returning to India to build her life in the financial capital Mumbai, and selecting her life partner. She concluded by advising students that the ability to anticipate, the discipline to pause, and the wisdom to choose deliberately would define long-term success, urging them to run fast when required, slow down when necessary, and remain committed to the long race.
The convocation ceremony witnessed participation from Board Members, the Director-in-charge, Deans, faculty, alumni, and staff, alongside celebrations marked by emotional farewells, group photographs, and family gatherings.
A total of nine students received gold medals, while a PhD scholar was honoured for excellence in research. In the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) 2024–2026, Manasi Anju Mertia secured the First Rank, and Dhvit Jayen Mehta secured the Second Rank. Mayur Dattatray Khule received the Gold Medal for Best All Round Performance for the combined PGP and PGPBA 2024–2026 programmes. In the Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGPBA) 2024–2026, Bharat Mundra was the First Rank holder.
In the Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP) 2025–2026, Aysha Shaba PP secured the First Rank, while Rajasilpi SP was awarded Best All Round Performer. In the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM) 2024–2026, Lakshmi R secured the First Rank and Biswaranjan Mishra was named Best All Round Performer. In the Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM), Anirudh received the gold medal for Best Academic Performance.
The Institute Research Award 2026 was awarded to Divya Dwivedi, a PhD student from the Information Systems area, recognizing excellence in research quality and productivity among doctoral scholars.
During the ceremony, Prof. Malavika R. Harita, Founder and CEO of Brand Circle and Member of the IIMB Board of Governors, highlighted the institute’s academic and institutional advancements. She referred to new centres such as the Centre for Digital Public Goods and the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital, as well as the establishment of the IIMB Development Foundation. She also emphasized the institute’s collaborations with national and global organizations, achievements in placements, and its standing in national and global rankings. She advised students to remain focused on knowledge, authenticity, relevance, and originality to create meaningful impact.
Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, detailed the institute’s progress across academic programmes, digital learning initiatives, entrepreneurship, and research. He announced the introduction of undergraduate programmes, including BSc Honors in Economics and BSc Honors in Data Science, aimed at strengthening undergraduate education in India.
He also underscored initiatives in sustainability, inclusivity, and nation building. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion facilitated discussions on accessibility and universal design, supported by student-led outreach efforts. The institute released its Sustainability Report on World Environment Day, introduced a core course on Responsible Business and Sustainability, and implemented greener campus practices, including an EV fleet donated by the PGP 1998 batch. IIM Bangalore received the Award for Excellence in Biodiversity Management and the Award for Excellence in Social Welfare and Community Services at the ELCITA Sustainability Awards 2025.
He further acknowledged the 25-year milestone of NSRCEL, the institute’s incubation centre, in supporting entrepreneurship. Concluding his address, Prof. Dinesh Kumar shared three Zen stories emphasizing mindfulness, compassion, and integrity as guiding principles for a fulfilling life, urging graduates to value their journey and remain connected to the institution.
As the Class of 2026 steps into a new phase filled with opportunities, the convocation underscored the enduring role of education, leadership, and resilience in shaping future impact, leaving the campus marked by celebration and reflection.
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