The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya celebrated its 8th Annual Convocation on April 4, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Institute’s evolving journey of academic excellence, institutional growth, and national contribution. The ceremony brought together graduating scholars, faculty, distinguished guests, and families in a moment of collective pride, recognising the achievements of a cohort prepared to lead in an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world.
A total of 579 degrees were awarded across programmes, reflecting both the scale and academic diversity of the Institute. The Convocation stands out as a landmark occasion, marked by important firsts and a deepening of the Institute’s academic and research ecosystem.
The Institute had the honour of hosting Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of National Stock Exchange of India, as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was also graced by Dr Prem Kumar, Honourable Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
In his address, Shri Chauhan reflected on Bihar’s rich intellectual legacy and its enduring contribution to knowledge traditions. He emphasised that in today’s microsecond-driven financial markets, where global developments rapidly influence economic outcomes, the importance of mindful decision-making cannot be overstated. He highlighted how contemporary leaders must navigate volatility arising from geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and financial interdependencies, while maintaining clarity of judgement and ethical responsibility.
Graduating Cohort and Academic Milestones
The degrees awarded at the Convocation were distributed across programmes as follows:
- MBA Programme: 328
- MBA (Digital Business Management): 86
- MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management): 101
- Integrated Programme in Management (BBA): 60
- Doctoral Programme (PhD): 4
This Convocation marks two defining milestones in the Institute’s academic evolution:
- The graduation of the first-ever Integrated Programme in Management (BBA) batch
- The conferment of degrees upon the first doctoral cohort, representing a major step in strengthening the Institute’s research and scholarly foundation
Institutional Leadership and Annual Progress
The Convocation was formally declared open virtually by L Ramkumar, Chairperson-in-charge of the Board of Governors.
Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, presented the Annual Report for the academic year 2025–26, describing it as a year of unprecedented progress across academic, institutional, and global dimensions. She reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to developing leaders who are not only professionally competent but also mindful, socially responsible, and globally aware.
A major highlight of the year was the expansion of the Institute’s global footprint. The number of international partnerships increased to 43 institutions, facilitating student exchange programmes, collaborative research, and academic engagements across Europe, the United States, and Asia. This expansion reflects a deliberate strategic focus on global integration and cross-cultural academic exposure.
Industry Engagement and Placement Highlights
The Institute continued to strengthen its engagement with industry, reflected in robust placement outcomes and growing recruiter participation. The placement season witnessed participation from over 180 recruiters, including a significant number of first-time associations, spanning consulting, technology, analytics, financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors.
Key highlights include:
- Strong participation from leading organisations across domains
- Dominance of sectors such as Consulting, IT Services, Analytics, and BFSI
- Highest Domestic Package: ₹30 LPA
- Highest International Package: ₹45.63 LPA
Recognition of Academic Excellence
The Convocation also recognised outstanding academic performance and all-round excellence across programmes:
MBA Programme
- Chairman’s Gold Medal: Abhilash Mohapatra
- Director’s Gold Medal: Madhav Aggarwal
- Best Student Award: Kakani Sri Pravallika
MBA (Hospital & Healthcare Management)
- Chairman’s Gold Medal: Harshita Sharma
- Director’s Gold Medal: Sanya Shukla
- Best Student Award: Bibin Robinson
MBA (Digital Business Management)
- Chairman’s Gold Medal: Satyam Kumar
- Director’s Gold Medal: Abikash Shivam G
- Best Student Award: Shikhar Kannojiya
Integrated Programme in Management (BBA)
- Best Student Award: Pratham Rawal
A Year of Institutional Momentum
The 8th Convocation reflects a year of strong institutional momentum for IIM Bodh Gaya, characterised by:
- Expansion in programme portfolio and batch size
- Increased industry participation and deeper recruiter engagement
- Emergence of international placement opportunities
- Strengthening of global academic collaborations
These developments position the Institute as a rapidly emerging centre of management education in India, aligned with global standards while rooted in values of mindfulness, leadership, and social responsibility.
