Meet IIM Kozhikode’s PGP-BL Class Of 2025

THE BEST OF TIMES

Raviteja S J has competed in nearly a dozen case competitions – and made finals in five of them – including one 1st place finish. Such success requires more than brainpower in business school. For Gaurav Arora, the secret can be boiled down to one word: Resilience. However, Aishwarya Ravindra Harsule would point business students to a different R – Risk-taking.

“I’m an awkward penguin who doesn’t like having eyes on her,” she writes. “One of the many out-of-comfort-zone activities that I have done is participating in Fashion Show. It was astonishing to see my class support me. It was even more thrilling and funny as I was taught how to walk by my guy friends after the lectures each day that week. They came up with a tagline: “Hamari Hasu Chalne lagi”. The whole experience taught me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, have faith in those who have faith in you, and don’t forget to have fun amid everyday hustle! I am eternally grateful that one awkward day, helped the penguin to make friends.”

That wasn’t the only unforgettable experience that the PGP-BL class enjoyed. Gaurav Arora points to Roobaroo, the class “culture fest”, as his best moment so far. A vocalist, Arora performed onstage both as a soloist and part of an ensemble in an atmosphere he describes as “electric.” Sharmistha Datta experienced a similar sensation at Roobaroo when she was “singing and dancing my heart out.”

“It felt like a delightful rendezvous with my college days, bringing back the joy of performing on stage after a gap of seven years. What truly made the night unforgettable was the overwhelming response from the audience—the standing ovation, the constant clapping, and the loud cheers from fellow students. I was deeply touched by the immense love and recognition I received, not just from my cohort but also from many unfamiliar faces in the crowd. It was surprising for some to see this different side of me, discovering my passion for music and dance.”

FROM KARATE CHAMPIONS TO PODCASTERS

And there is the “Kampus Kulture,” in the words of Raviteja S J – an oasis that frees students to drop their guard, reflect, and build relationships. “Nestled in the serene surroundings of the Western Ghats, the campus offered a unique blend of academic intensity and peaceful tranquility,” Raviteja S J adds. “I fondly recall those late-night study sessions at the library, where the pressure of deadlines was balanced by the calming walks through the misty, green pathways. These moments of solitude and reflection amidst nature allowed me to recharge and connect with my peers on a deeper level. The friendships I formed through collaborative projects and spontaneous discussions during these quiet walks became some of the most cherished relationships of my life, creating a sense of community that felt like a second family.”

Outside of campus life, Raghul Palaniswamy is a Black Belt, who has won numerous competitions, along with finishing in 2nd place at the All-India Karate Tournament in 2013. Raviteja S J earned the nickname “Redbull Ravi” for his love of F1 racing. And calling Sharmistha Datta “versatile” would be an understatement.

“[I’m] a true creative soul – dancing through life with Kathak and Hindustani classical singing, while my doodles tell stories on Instagram. I am an aficionado of fashion and lipsticks. You will find me learning about the latest fashion trends and the supply chain of the ever-growing fashion and beauty industry, while contributing back to the community as Linkedin’s Top Voice in Inventory Management as a supply chain enthusiast.”

When Gaurav Rathore isn’t busy with business school, he is building his brand. “My favorite initiative has been starting my podcast, “The Growth Code,” where I interview CXOs and industry leaders to unpack their journeys and insights on leadership. This project taught me the value of authenticity and resilience—how true growth comes from embracing discomfort and learning continuously. The most important lesson has been the power of storytelling in leadership; it’s not just about the data or strategies but about connecting with people on a much deeper level.”

AN EMPHASIS ON EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

That is the point of the PGP-BL program at IIM Kozhikode: connecting with people as they are so they can understand the world as it is. That’s exactly the lesson that Raviteja S J absorbed in his Micro and Macro Economics courses.

“The concepts taught in these courses frequently come to mind in everyday situations—whether it’s recognizing first-degree price discrimination while booking flight tickets or using macroeconomic principles to interpret the annual budget report. These experiences have taught me to approach problems in a more structured manner and consider a broader array of perspectives, including marketing, strategy, HR, economics, and finance.”

Overall, the Class of 2025 was upbeat on the PGP-BL programming. Raghul Palaniswamy has loved how the program balances the theoretical and the practical, providing a solid foundation on various frameworks while providing students with opportunities to master them in various real-world exercises. These sentiments were echoed by Harshit Sanganeria, who was most recently a consultant with ZS Associates.

“One key factor that drew me to IIM Kozhikode’s MBA program was its strong emphasis on experiential learning through real-world case studies, simulations, and group projects. This hands-on approach was particularly important to me because it allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real business challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of complex business dynamics. I wanted an environment where I could engage in practical problem-solving and develop skills directly relevant to leadership roles. This experiential learning not only sharpens decision-making abilities, but also builds confidence in tackling multifaceted problems, which aligns perfectly with my career goals in consulting and entrepreneurship.”

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM

Another advantage: IIM Kozhikode offers a unique balance, says Aishwarya Ravindra Harsule. On one hand, students learn the intricacies of the Indian business markets. At the same time, they participate in a Global Immersion, where students meet with experts and complete coursework and a project related to their interests. For Ravindra Harsule, that meant exploring the luxury management industry in Milan, Italy in partnership with SDA Bocconi, a Top MBA program according to The Financial Times. Back in India, Raviteja S J lauds the CARE program – which stands for Corporate Access, Readiness and Engagement.

“[It is] the first internal placement support program among all IIMs—[it] demonstrate(s) the institute’s commitment to helping students achieve their career goals, whether in securing top placements or launching their own ventures. The program’s robust blend of academic rigor, global immersion modules, and practical learning opportunities, including case competitions, live projects, and sessions with industry experts, equips students with the tools needed to excel in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world.”

Of course, PGB-BL offers the distinction of being a one-year program. This enables students to quickly return to their careers. Not only can they hit the ground running, but apply what they learned to make an immediate impact in their new roles.

“IIM Kozhikode provides numerous opportunities to engage with industry professionals, participate in projects, internships, and case competitions, and connect with top leaders through guest lectures,” adds Sharmistha Datta. “The school’s strong relationships with renowned companies and its extensive alumni network offer meaningful industry exposure.”

To access in-depth profiles of 10 members of the Class of 2025, click on the links below.

Student	Hometown	Undergraduate Alma Mater	Last Employer
Gaurav Arora	New Delhi, India	Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University	Maruti Suzuki India Limited
Sharmistha Datta	Kolkata, West Bengal	Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla	Tata Steel Limited
Raghul Palaniswamy	Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu	Sri Eshwar College of Engineering, Coimbatore	KPMG
Aishwarya Ravindra Harsule	Pune, Maharashtra	P.E.S. Modern College of Engineering, Pune University	Bajaj Finserv Health Limited
Gaurav Rathore	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh	Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology	Blinkit
Raviteja S J	Bengaluru, Karnataka	RV College of Engineering	Sodexo India Private Limited
Harshit Sanganeria	Kolkata, West Bengal	KIIT Deemed University	ZS Associates
Sanya Taneja	Gurgaon, Haryana	VIT Vellore	Shell
Nrusimha Vikram Bhavanibhatla	Hyderabad, Telangana	Osmania University	Deloitte Financial Advisory Services
Mehar Roy	Gurgaon, Haryana	Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune	Gartner

DON’T MISS: MEET IIM KOZHIKODE’S PGP-BL CLASS OF 2024

To see the batch profile for the Class of 2025, click here.