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.

443 students to receive degrees; first Executive Ph.D. degree to be conferred

Nagpur : Indian Institute of Management Nagpur will hold its 10th Annual Convocation on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at its MIHAN campus. The milestone convocation will be graced by Mr Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, as the Chief Guest.

A total of 443 students will receive their degrees at the ceremony. This includes 347 students from the MBA 2024–26 batch, 95 students from three Executive MBA batches, and one Executive Ph.D. scholar. Among the graduating students, 288 are male and 155 are female. The degree recipients also include two students from the University of Lille, France, under the International Exchange/Dual Degree Programme, marking IIM Nagpur’s growing global academic engagement.

The convocation will also mark a significant academic milestone for the Institute with the conferment of its first Executive Ph.D. degree. The degree is in the area of Production and Operations Management.

As part of the convocation ceremony, meritorious students will be recognised through gold medals and institutional awards for scholastic performance, all-round performance, and excellence in different areas. The Institute will announce the names of the awardees during the ceremony.

The convocation proceedings will begin with the academic procession at 9:45 am, followed by the formal declaration of the convocation open by Mr C. P. Gurnani, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Nagpur, at 10:00 am. The ceremony will include welcome address by the Chairman, and presentation of the Annual Report by Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur. This will be followed by the conferral of degrees for Executive Ph.D., Executive MBA and MBA students, and the presentation of gold medals and institutional awards. The Chief Guest’s convocation address by Mr Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, is scheduled at 12:07 pm, followed by the National Anthem and the formal closure of the convocation. The convocation procession will return at 12:40 pm, marking the conclusion of the ceremony.