As the Indian School of Business (ISB) marks 25 years since its founding, the institution celebrated the graduation of the 25th cohort of its flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). A total of 808 students from the PGP Class of 2026 received their degrees at ceremonies held at the School’s Hyderabad and Mohali campuses. The graduation programme at the Hyderabad campus was held on April 3, 2026.
The graduation ceremony held on Apr 6 at the Mohali campus commenced with a ceremonial procession led by Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, Mr Harish Manwani, Chairperson, ISB Executive Board, Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Chairperson, ISB Mohali Campus Advisory Board, along with the Chief Guest – Francesca Cornelli, Dean – Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and senior faculty members.
Francesca Cornelli, speaking on the ocassion, stated that the latest cohort of Indian School of Business graduates is entering the professional world at an incredibly transformational moment. With artificial intelligence reshaping industries and global economic systems evolving rapidly, she emphasised that expectations of business leadership have fundamentally changed. Leaders are no longer expected solely to deliver profits, but rather to navigate uncertainty, inspire confidence, and build bridges across stakeholders in an increasingly polarised world.
Highlighting the enduring twenty-five-year partnership between Kellogg and ISB, Dean Cornelli noted that as India emerges as a central force in global innovation, ISB’s graduates possess a unique opportunity to shape the global future. She concluded by urging the graduates to utilise their education to connect diverse ideas and people, reminding them that true progress and lasting impact come from remaining curious, collaborating across boundaries, and leading with unyielding integrity.
Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Chairperson, ISB Mohali Campus Advisory Board, highlighted that the Indian School of Business has established global credibility by embodying an ethos of integrity over its twenty-five-year journey. Addressing the Silver Jubilee cohort, he emphasised that the current era of geopolitical and technological disruption means static knowledge quickly expires. He urged the graduates to continuously innovate and remain connected to broader societal needs. Drawing upon traditional philosophy, Mr. Mittal concluded by advising the alumni to navigate future adversities with patience and to always approach life with a profound sense of gratitude.
Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, asked the 25th graduating cohort to separate signal from noise and speak truth to power, especially when it is uncomfortable. He urged graduates to use their education to systematically tackle complex problems, rather than deferring hard choices. Reflecting on the silver jubilee, Dean Pillutla stated that marking 25 successful years is not the same as being satisfied. He promised that ISB will continue to shape analytically rigorous leaders who do not just follow the world, but shape it.
Kritika Garg was awarded the ISB–Parmeshwar Godrej Award, recognising an exemplary woman student from the graduating class with a strong commitment to social causes.
Launched in 2001, the ISB PGP was India’s first one-year, full-time residential management programme for experienced professionals. Built to develop leaders for India and the global economy, the programme continues to evolve with changing business needs through flexible, action-based learning. Across 25 PGP cohorts, it has graduated more than 14,000 professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries.
