Record-Breaking Female Representation In PGP And PGP-HRM As IIM-Indore Welcomes New Batches

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Women, for the first time ever, outnumbered men in the flagship PGP at IIM-Indore. The PGP-HRM witnessed a 100% female cohort.

IIM-Indore officially welcomed its new batches for the academic year 2025–26, inducting a total of 650 participants across the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP), Post Graduate Programme in Human Resource Management (PGP-HRM), Integrated Programme in Management – Fourth Year (IPM-IV), and the Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM).

The batch was inaugurated by Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, and graced by Chief Guest Lt. Gen. Harjeet Singh Sahi, Commandant, Army War College, Mhow.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, urged the new participants to begin their journey with clarity, purpose, and empathy.

He spoke about the importance of having a personal vision and being mindful of why they chose to be at IIM Indore. Emphasizing openness, he encouraged students to listen actively, embrace diverse viewpoints, and remain receptive to new ideas in the classroom.

He also stressed the need for introspection, urging participants to define success on their own terms rather than conforming to external expectations. Highlighting the role of courage, Prof. Rai encouraged them to take risks and not be afraid of failure when pursuing new paths.

“You are not here merely to earn a degree,” he noted, “but to discover yourselves and the difference you can make.” He concluded by underscoring the value of empathy, reminding students to care for one another and build a supportive learning community.

Chief Guest Lt. Gen. Harjeet Singh Sahi addressed the incoming cohort with a compelling talk on leadership, courage, and responsibility. He highlighted that today’s operational environment demands more than technical skills; it calls for clarity of purpose, emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to ethical conduct.

Drawing from his experience in the armed forces, he spoke about the essence of military leadership: the ability to inspire and empower, to lead with empathy, and to uphold the values of integrity and service above self. He urged students to develop not just as professionals but as responsible citizens who lead by example. “True leadership,” he said, “is about taking ownership, understanding the people you lead, and having the courage to do what is right even in the face of adversity.”

Lt. Gen. Sahi commended the leadership of Prof. Himanshu Rai and lauded the remarkable growth of IIM Indore. He noted that the relationship between Army War College and IIM Indore is built on shared values—discipline, commitment, and excellence—and has only grown stronger over the years.

“The way IIM Indore has been shaped under Prof. Rai’s vision is truly commendable,” he remarked, expressing confidence that IIM Indore’s students would continue to contribute meaningfully to the country’s future through responsible leadership, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Making history in its pursuit of equity and inclusion, IIM Indore has achieved a landmark in gender and academic diversity. Women now constitute 53.72% of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) batch, marking the first-ever female-majority cohort in the institute’s flagship programme.

Meanwhile, the Post Graduate Programme in Human Resource Management (PGP-HRM) has 100% female participation this year. Further highlighting the institute’s inclusive academic profile, 54.6% of PGP participants and an impressive 88.24% of PGP-HRM participants come from non-engineering backgrounds, underscoring IIM Indore’s commitment to nurturing diverse managerial talent from across disciplines.

Diversity and Inclusion Define the 2025 Batch

The PGP 2025–27 batch at IIM Indore reflects a remarkable blend of diversity, academic excellence, and strong female representation, making this the first time that women have outnumbered men in the PGP cohort, a milestone in IIM Indore’s journey towards gender equity.

While Engineering/Technology (126) and Management-related disciplines (65) form the largest academic streams, strong representation from Commerce (54), Economics (42), and Computer Science (59) adds further diversity. In terms of geography, Maharashtra leads with 65 participants, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 63, and Delhi (48), showcasing pan-India presence. 

Madhya Pradesh has contributed 40 participants to the PGP 2025–27 batch, underscoring the strong representation from the institute’s home state and its continued role in shaping future management professionals. Additionally, 34.3% of the batch brings prior work experience, ensuring a balanced mix of fresh perspectives and industry insights. 

Similarly, the PGPHRM batch reflects remarkable academic diversity, with strong representation in Commerce (15), Management Studies (8), Economics (4), Botany (3), and Literature (3), among others, highlighting the interdisciplinary foundation of the HRM programme.

In terms of work experience, 33.33% of the participants (17 students) bring prior professional exposure, adding depth and practical insight to classroom discussions, while the remaining 34 students are fresh graduates. The cohort is geographically diverse, with participants hailing from 17 states and union territories, including Uttar Pradesh (6), Delhi (6), Maharashtra (6), Assam (3), Jharkhand (3), and Telangana (3), reflecting the pan-India appeal of the programme and IIM Indore’s inclusive academic ethos.

Recognizing Academic and Social Impact

At the event, 31 Certificates of Academic Excellence were awarded to the top 5% of the combined PGP-I and IPM-IV batch, and two certificates were conferred upon PGP-HRM participants, celebrating their stellar academic performance.

The institute also recognized student contributions to rural development through its flagship Rural Engagement Programme (REP). Further promoting equity and access to education, IIM Indore announced the Need-Based Financial Assistance (NBFA) Merit Awards for the year 2025.

In the PGP-1/IPM-IV category, a financial grant of ₹10,00,000 was awarded to Ms. Archana Choudhary. In the PGP-HRM-1 category, Ms. Prisha Garg received a grant of ₹8,00,000.

These awards reflect the institute’s commitment to supporting meritorious students from economically challenged backgrounds and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic aspirations.

The induction ceremony concluded with comprehensive briefings on academic support, digital resources, infrastructure, and campus initiatives, setting the tone for a transformational journey ahead.

With record-breaking female participation and unmatched diversity, the 2025 batch at IIM Indore stands poised to create a meaningful impact in the world of business and beyond.

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