Pulkit Dayal

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

“Cricket taught me grit, aviation taught me precision, now I’m learning to shape ideas into impact.”

Hometown: Patna, Bihar

Fun Fact About Yourself: I collect quirky formal socks. You may find me in boardrooms with banana-print socks.

Undergraduate School and Major: Hans Raj College, Delhi University – B. Com (Hons.)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Team Lead, Crew Resource Planning – IOCC, Air India

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Bangalore’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Coming from a highly operational role at Air India, I was looking for a program that would challenge my domain-specific lens and expose me to strategic thinking across industries. IIM Bangalore’s experiential learning ecosystem, rich with real-world projects and immersive case studies, offered exactly that. What truly stood out was the way complex concepts are brought to life through discussions led by industry-seasoned professors. For someone like me, rooted in a single functional area, this approach promised not just textbook knowledge but a deeper, holistic understanding of how businesses truly operate. It wasn’t about learning what to think, it was about learning how to think across contexts.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Bangalore? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? It’s not any one course, rather it’s the group projects across courses that stand out. Each subject throws you into a new team with diverse perspectives, and what starts as a deadline-driven task often becomes a masterclass in collaboration. From these discussions, I’ve learned that there’s rarely one “right” answer. Different minds approach the same problem in wildly different ways and that’s where the magic lies. These group projects don’t just teach you the theory, they give you a wider view of how people think, question, and approach challenges. It’s helped me move beyond my own lens and appreciate the depth that comes from truly listening.
What makes Bengaluru such as great place to earn your MBA?

The city’s blend of startups, tech giants, and deep intellectual curiosity creates a learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom. Conversations here don’t end with class, they evolve through seminar sessions, guest lectures, and real-time exposure to India’s most dynamic business ecosystem. It’s a place where ideas are constantly challenged, shaped, and brought to life.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It may not have felt like an accomplishment in the moment, but leading manpower planning during the Air India–Vistara merger was less about titles or outcomes, and more about growth through discomfort. Navigating two deeply rooted and distinct work cultures, I was constantly tested on my patience, empathy, and ability to influence with authority. What makes it meaningful is not just that the integration succeeded, but that I walked in feeling unsure and walked out knowing I could hold my ground, build trust, and drive change even in the most complex environments.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: In a one-year MBA, every day feels like a sprint and yet we are running a marathon. From academics to projects to networking to managing a committee, the sheer volume of tasks can be overwhelming. At first, it felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. Over time, I learned to prioritize, let go of perfection when needed, and focus on what truly mattered. My biggest accomplishment isn’t a single event, but it’s the learning to stay grounded amidst the chaos, manage my energy over my time, and show up consistently, even on the tough days.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Ironically, our favorite hangout spot is the school itself, specifically, the night canteen. Over plates of Maggi and endless cups of chai, it becomes more than just a food stop. It’s where we pause the MBA race, share experiences from our personal and professional life, laugh over inside jokes, and vent about whatever the day threw at us. It’s our little escape within campus, where conversations drift from placements to playlists, and bonds are quietly built over late-night comfort food.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I hope to step into consulting or a general management role, where I can build on my experience in strategic operations. Having worked on high-impact projects in aviation, I’m now eager to apply those learnings across industries and functions—solving diverse business challenges, driving transformation, and growing into a well-rounded business leader.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Bangalore? Don’t chase a checklist, focus on self-awareness and purpose and let your application reflect that with clarity. Reflect deeply on your journey, especially the imperfect and messy parts, and tell a story that’s uniquely yours. IIM Bangalore values authenticity and purpose. It’s important to understand why you want an MBA, what you hope to gain, and where you need to grow. When your goals align with your story, your application will stand out because it will be real.

DON’T MISS: MEET IIM BANGALORE’S EPGP CLASS OF 2026

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