Meet The Indian School Of Business PGP Class Of 2025

It has become almost cliché to describe Hyderabad as the next Silicon Valley.

That might be rooted in Hyderabad being where Silicon Valley was sixty years ago – ramping up its infrastructure to accommodate ever-shifting demands. Reality is, ‘Cyberabad’ is more Bengaluru 2.0 – a maddeningly messy high-tech startup. On the plus column, it boasts deep government-business ties, high quality of life, and strong educational institutions. On top of that, Hyderabad offers a diversified industry mix that ranges from rare gems to IT services. Problem is, ‘The City of Pearls’ is like a teenager: feeling its way around and learning its lessons through trial-and-error.

Still, Hyderabad ranks among the best places to learn business among Indian graduate business programs. The city is home to the headquarters of Microsoft, Deloitte and Facebook. And you’ll find major players investing heavily in local talent and facilities: Google, Salesforce, JPMorgan Chase, Novartis, Cisco, and Goldman Sachs. Underlying this is a vibrant startup ecosystem. Over the past decade, it has grown from 200 to over 7,500 startups – including unicorns like Darwinbox and Zenoti. The region also features T-Hub, one of the world’s largest accelerators with space for over 1,000 startups. On top of that, Hyderabad boasts HITECH City, a series of campuses whose tenants range from Accenture to IBM to Qualcomm.

OLD WORLD MEETS THE FUTURE

Hyderabad also features one of India’s finest business schools: Indian School of Business. Last year, the school ranked 6th in the world among graduate business programs according to LinkedIn. That’s higher than international stars like Columbia Business School, Northwestern’s Kellogg School, and London Business School. Known for its dual campus system, the Hyderabad location is found near the Financial District. That places PGP students in the middle of all the action. Not only does the campus attract the best speakers to class, but students can see the future of India with their own eyes. That’s exactly what Aditi Sharma experienced last year at the ISB Leadership Summit, whose keynote was delivered by the Telangana chief minister.

“He talked about ISB students being the brand ambassadors for Hyderabad,” Sharma explains. “His vision to develop Hyderabad as a $600 billion city and make Hyderabad compete with global cities like London, Paris, Tokyo and Seoul says a lot about the city’s promising future for future leaders.”

Kuldeep Juturu is equally smitten with Hyderabad. For him, the city represents a timeless mix of two different eras. “It has got the hustle of a booming tech hub mixed with the charm of old-world forts and biryani that’s second-to-none! Studying here means rubbing elbows with top industry leaders, from global giants to homegrown startups, all while indulging in street food that could rival any culinary capital. Plus, the city’s vibrant energy and warm people make it easy to build connections both inside and outside the classroom. Hyderabad offers a one-of-a-kind blend of culture, innovation, and business opportunities that make it a fantastic playground for any MBA student (and did I mention the unbeatable sunsets at ISB?).”

Thus far, the PGP Class of 2025 has relished their lives in Hyderabad. Aishwarya Raj hails the “pleasant climate, cleaner air, and ISB’s picturesque campus.” That said, the Mohali campus boasts some unique benefits too, adds Ritika Agrawal.

“The ISB Mohali campus, in particular, benefits from proximity to key business centres like Delhi and Gurgaon, offering students abundant networking and career opportunities. Beyond academics, Mohali boasts a high quality of life with lush green spaces, modern infrastructure, and a vibrant community, making it an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth.”

FROM PUBLIC SERVANTS TO BUSINESS MOGULS

Growth is exactly why the Class of 2025 has invested a year in the Indian School of Business PGP program. Before arriving on campus, you would’ve found class members raking in the accolades and holding highly sensitive roles. Naveen Kumar previously worked in the Ministry of Finance as superintendent of customs, overseeing 70 officers at one of the nation’s largest seaports. In contrast, Aditi Sharma has served as both a supply chain manager for Collins Aerospace and a deputy commandant in the Indian Coast Guard.

“My biggest accomplishment so far has been participating in anti-smuggling operations in Jakhau, a small village near the India-Pak border in Gujarat, and supporting flood and cyclone relief efforts in Murud Janjira, Maharashtra,” Sharma tells P&Q. “These experiences taught me the true meaning of resilience, teamwork, and the impact of serving communities in critical times. Working alongside a dedicated team, I learned how to think on my feet, make quick decisions under pressure, and adapt to unpredictable situations.”

Sharma’s classmate, Kuldeep Juturu, produced similar results when he worked as an assistant commandant for the Central Reserve Police Force in the Ministry of Home Affairs. “My biggest accomplishment has been negotiating the surrender of 60 militants, leading to a significant reduction in insurgency incidents in Andhra Pradesh. This negotiation was conducted over 18 months with local tribal elders. It not only improved regional stability, but also freed up resources to address other critical security areas, showcasing the impact of diplomacy and strategic planning in high-stakes environments.”

TAKING A VENTURE TO 40 COUNTRIES

High-stakes? In the private sector, that would be akin to reviving a brand at a name brand like Abbott Healthcare. That’s exactly what Pragya Gupta did, producing 30% year-over-year growth while turning the product into an industry leader.

“Navigating this unfamiliar territory, I spearheaded evidence-based marketing strategies, collaborated with key opinion leaders through national forums, and introduced innovative brand extensions,” Gupta explains. “These initiatives not only revitalized the brand but also established its presence in over 20 institutional accounts, creating a lasting impact on the business. The accomplishment taught me the importance of taking calculated risks, empowering teams, and aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve a common goal.”

Meghna Biju started her career in private equity and mergers and acquisitions before moving into corporate finance with Deloitte. Here, she organized the firm’s Entrepreneur Summit, a retreat that brought together Deloitte partners with over 60 founders, private equity investors, and venture fund leaders. When Sheenabh Dhar headed up strategy for Josh Talks, he helped establish the lucrative Jobs for Women platform. At the same time, Aishwarya Raj built her reputation as an entrepreneur.

“Building Sassy Co from the ground up and scaling it to 40+ countries within two years is a milestone I deeply cherish,” she tells P&Q. “The joy of seeing customers eagerly await every new launch has been unparalleled, reflecting the global impact of my passion for fashion.”

Speaking of founders, Kamya Khurana made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for the success of her architecture and strategy consulting practice, including her work being featured in Architecture Digest. Before becoming an industry disruptor, Sri Sai Siril Varma Alluri was a Badminton Jr. world champion. A medical doctor by training, Harsh Rao Jadhav points to saving a life by performing CPR as his biggest moment so far.

“Holding someone’s life in your hands is intense, but it’s also grounding. It taught me that even under the most intense pressure, we have to trust in our abilities. That moment has stayed with me as a reminder that we are often capable of far more than we realize.”

HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING

Since arriving on campus, Jadhav has become the vice president of the Healthcare Club. During the first six months of the PGP program, Kamya Khurana has organized over two dozen learning sessions for the Entrepreneurship Club. And Meghna Biju has enriched her classmates’ experience while serving as the Finance Club’s vice president.

“Along with my team, I organized multiple sessions with industry experts for the cohort, including one with India’s Chief Economic Advisor. This has been especially valuable for our cohort, which includes students from IB, PE, and VC backgrounds, creating an exchange of diverse perspectives. Taking on this role alongside other campus activities taught me to prioritize effectively amidst an intensive, packed schedule.”

For Sri Sai Siril Varma Alluri, his ISB highlight has been winning the Clarin Case Competition. Ritika Agrawal counters by pointing to a pro bono project, where she was able to apply many of her classroom lessons. In the case of Pragya Gupta, the best moments stemmed from a setback.

“I sustained a knee injury, making it difficult to keep up with the rigorous schedule,” she explains. “I remained focused on my goals, balancing academics, recruitment preparation, and personal well-being. This journey taught me the importance of resilience and leaning on your support system during tough times. The friendships I earned during this period are among my most treasured accomplishments, as they represent the strength of connections forged under adversity. With everyone’s encouragement, I was not only able to overcome this difficult phase, but also achieve one of the earliest and best international job placements in my cohort.”

CLASS HANGOUTS

Being a lawyer, Aditya Karekatte felt the “math” might be out of his comfort zone when he started the PGP program. Luckily, he had support around him. Aditi Sharma experienced similar reservations about accounting – until her classmates stepped in to help.

“Reality hit before we joined ISB and received our pre-reads,” she reminisces. “The WhatsApp group buzzed with talk of ‘Debits’ and ‘Credits’—everyone sounded like an expert, and I was lost. While I appeared excited, I was terrified, realizing I’d be tackling accounting with CAs, statistics with IITians, and economics with DU toppers. Looking back, I believe surviving among some of the country’s brightest minds and learning from them rather than competing has been my biggest accomplishment as an MBA student.”

When math turns to mayhem, there are plenty of places for the Class of 2025 to gather. Off campus, there is Durgham Lake in Hyderabad and Sukhna Lake near Mohali as places, in the words of Ritika Agrawa, to “unwind and recharge.” The class also listed Subko Café, Zero40 Brewery, and the Olive Bistro as favorites. In terms of responses, the Rameshwaram Café is seemingly the go-to spot for South Indian cuisine like dosas after late-night study sessions

“The café’s welcoming ambience and mouthwatering food make it more than just a place to eat—it’s a space where we wind down, relive the night’s memories, and bond over our shared experiences,” explains Pragya Gupta. “These moments at Rameshwaram Café have not only become a ritual but also a cherished part of our MBA journey, reminding us of the joy in simple things amid our hectic schedules.”

Next Page: An interview with rofessor Deepa Mani, Deputy Dean, Academic Programmes and Digital Learning

Page 3: Profiles of 12 members of the Class of 2025