Another defining feature of this year’s MBA cohort is that students from non-engineering backgrounds have outnumbered engineers, signalling a growing preference among candidates from commerce, economics, humanities, science and other disciplines for management education. The batch represents 23 states across India, bringing together students from diverse academic, cultural and professional backgrounds.

Ms. Gautami Tadimalla, Actor, Television Host, & Public Speaker was chief guest while Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, TATA AutoComp Systems Ltd was Guest of Honor. Director of IIM Nagpur Dr. Bhimaraya Metri; Prof. Prashant Gupta, Dean-Faculty & Academics; Prof. Sujeet Kumar Sharma, Dean- Research, and PhD Programmes; Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean- Executive Education; Prof. Prakash Awasthy, Chairperson MBA; Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson Admissions; and Prof. Ranjitha G P, Chairperson, Student Affairs also shared the dais. The programme was attended by newly admitted MBA and PhD students, their parents, faculty members, officers, staff, and invited guests.

In her address, Ms. Gautami Tadimalla urged the students to see themselves as future leaders and achievers but never forget their identity as compassionate human beings. “You have already achieved something remarkable by earning admission to IIM Nagpur. The institute will teach you management and technology, but never lose your humanity. Success becomes meaningful only when it improves the lives of others,” she said.

Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, described admission to IIM Nagpur as a privilege earned by only a select few. Appreciating the institute for enrolling 52 percent women students, he observed, “Industries today struggle to achieve even 25% women representation, while this batch has 52% women. That is a wonderful milestone and reflects the changing face of leadership in India.” Kolhatkar said India is uniquely positioned for sustained growth and highlighted the national vision of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047. “Today’s management graduates would play a crucial role in achieving this aspiration,” he said.

Welcoming the incoming students and their parents, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, said they had chosen the right institution at the right time. “India will play a defining role in shaping the global economy, and this century belongs to India. Prepare yourselves to lead the world.”

Earlier, Prof. Prakash Awasthy, Chairperson MBA, welcomed the gathering. Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson Admissions, presented the admission report of the new batch. Prof. Prashant Gupta, Dean-Faculty & Academics, outlined the academic framework and learning ecosystem of the institute. Prof. Sujeet Kumar Sharma, Dean- Research, Sponsored & Smart projects and PhD Programmes, introduced the institute’s research ecosystem and doctoral programmes, while Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean- Executive Education, highlighted the rapid growth and achievements of IIM Nagpur’s executive education initiatives. Prof Ranjitha GP  proposed a vote of thanks.

During the ceremony, Director’s Merit List Certificates were presented to outstanding incoming students. IIM Nagpur and Cheema Group Scholarships were also awarded to deserving candidates by Mrs Kokila Cheema, Director of K S Cheema group of Companies, and Dr. Bhimaraya Metri.

The new MBA batch comprises 341 students from 23 states, including 65 students from Maharashtra, 39 from Uttar Pradesh, 31 from Madhya Pradesh, 25 from Gujarat, 23 from Delhi, 19 from Rajasthan, 17 from Bihar, 15 from Jharkhand, 13 from Haryana, 12 from Telangana, and 10 each from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The institute has also welcomed students from the North-East, including Assam (3), Mizoram (2), Nagaland (1) and Tripura (1). The average age of the incoming MBA students is 23 years, while nearly 40 percent of the batch brings prior work experience, further enriching classroom diversity.

“Our journey for the next five years will be guided by the vision of ‘From India to the World’. A grand, full-fledged IIM Nagpur campus will come up in Pune. The State Government has allotted 70 acres of land on a nominal lease of just ₹1. Once developed, IIM Nagpur will be the only IIM in the country to have such a large second full-fledged campus,” Dr Metri said.

Dr Metri was recently reappointed as Director of IIM Nagpur for another five-year term. He said one of his major goals during the second tenure would be to take IIM Nagpur into the world’s Top 100 business schools.

The Institute is also looking beyond Pune. Dr Metri said expansion in Goa is on the future roadmap, while global academic partnerships will be taken to a new level.

At present, IIM Nagpur has an academic collaboration with the University of Lille, France, including student mobility opportunities. Over the next five years, the Institute aims to build partnerships with 20 leading universities across continents, giving students opportunities to study at international campuses, gain global exposure and pursue dual-degree pathways.

“We want our students to experience the world, study on international campuses and earn globally relevant qualifications. Our aim is to build meaningful partnerships across continents,” Dr Metri said.

This global ambition forms part of IIM Nagpur’s newly announced Strategic Roadmap 2026–31. The roadmap includes multi-campus growth, a place among India’s Top 3 institutions in Executive Education, AI-driven management education, India-centric research, energy and climate leadership, entrepreneurship, and a larger role in the development of Maharashtra and Vidarbha. The Institute has also set its sights on entering the world’s Top 100 business schools and Asia’s Top 10.

 The roadmap seeks to position IIM Nagpur as a growth engine for Maharashtra and Vidarbha. The Institute plans to use its expertise in entrepreneurship, public policy, rural development and industry partnerships to contribute more directly to regional growth.

Initiatives such as IVDP 2.0 and the District Development Strategy (DDS) are expected to support rural transformation and investment-led development.

“Our responsibility cannot end at the classroom door. IIM Nagpur must contribute to job creation, regional transformation, clean energy, public policy, entrepreneurship and India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” Dr Metri said.

 Energy and climate action will be another important area in the coming years. IIM Nagpur plans to build on its Executive MBA in Energy Management with NPTI, engagement with ONGC Green Limited, and the proposed Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling with NRDC.

The Institute will also take forward the second phase of campus development, its Net-Zero ambition, and the already operational solar power initiative.

70-acre Pune campus to drive next phase of growth

The proposed Pune campus at Moshi will be one of the biggest pillars of IIM Nagpur’s next phase. Dr Metri said the Maharashtra Government has allotted the 70-acre land on a ₹1 lease, while its estimated market value is more than ₹180 crore. He thanked the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister of Maharashtra for their support.

“Several IIMs have smaller satellite or extension centres, but our vision for Pune is fundamentally different,” Dr Metri said.

The Pune campus will focus on areas such as manufacturing, Industry 4.0, digital technologies, AI and IT management. Proposed academic offerings include an integrated BBA–MBA programme and a five-year BTech–MBA programme in collaboration with leading IITs.

“Pune gives us a unique opportunity to rethink management education and develop leaders who understand technology, management and industry as an integrated whole,” Dr Metri said.