Meet The Indian Institute Of Management Ahmedabad MBA Class Of 2026

Iron sharpens iron. Like attracts like. Game knows game.

Each of these axioms reinforces the same message. If you want to bring out your best, you need to surround yourself with the best. When it comes to graduate business education in India, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad is considered just that. In popular opinion, IIM Ahmedabad is the “gold standard,” in the words of ’25 PGPX alum Aashruth Rangarajan. Among MBA aspirants, it is viewed as the most prestigious and most demanding program, a brand whose degree conveys that a graduate is tested and ready.

Among IIM Ahmedabad’s 45,000 alumni, you’ll find names like Ajay Banga, Raghuram Rajan, and Sanjeev Bikhchandani. Make no mistake: the PGPX Class of 2026 intends to follow in their footsteps. After all, they came to IIMA to learn from the most distinguished faculty and accomplished peers. Like a magnet, talent draws talent together. At IIMA, this talent converges after racking up successes in a wide range of industries and roles.

BRINGING INDIAN IDOL TO LIFE

Looking for influence? Meet Aastha Gupta. She started out as an intern on Indian Idol, the country’s most popular reality show. As time went on, she became the show’s creative director during Season 12, the most tumultuous time in its history.

“At a time when productions worldwide shut down due to COVID-19, we pushed boundaries, innovating under pressure to keep the show on air with agile, forward-thinking solutions that set new industry benchmarks,” she tells P&Q. “The season was both profitable and widely loved, earning recognition at the Indian Television Academy Awards. For me, it proved that strategic thinking and creative resilience can go hand in hand, even under the toughest circumstances.”

Instead of entertainment, Abhas Katra Singh left his mark in the political arena. Before business school, he worked for the Government of India. This included a three-year stint as the chief of staff to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, IT & Broadcasting. During this time, he considers his biggest achievement to drafting what he describes as “three landmark legislations that transformed India’s digital and communications policy landscape.” Among them were the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and the Telecommunications Act, with the latter “replac(ing) a 138-year-old colonial-era framework.”

“Beyond the drafting itself, I supported the Minister in managing a complex and sensitive stakeholder engagement process,” Singh continues. “This involved preparing consultation papers; engaging with a wide spectrum of voices including industry bodies, civil society organizations, global consulting firms, and multiple ministries; and helping translate competing viewpoints into actionable legislative language. I also contributed to navigating the processes of inter-ministerial alignment and supported the legislative strategy that enabled the smooth passage of these bills through Parliament…This experience helped me develop a deep understanding of how systems function, how diverse stakeholders align around policy goals, and how meaningful change is shaped and delivered in complex institutional settings.”

AN INSIDER IN ONE OF INDIA’S LARGEST COMPANIES

Karan Sarpal also got an inside at how things really work – this time in the private sector. He spent nearly nine years at Reliance Industries, a $212-billion-dollar firm. Starting out in an engineer and manager working out of the Jamnagar Manufacturing Division, Sarpal rose to being in the Chairman’s Office, working in corporate planning and strategy.

“In this high-impact role, I was privileged to work directly with our Chairman, Mr. Mukesh Ambani, to program manage the functioning of the Executive Committee and institutionalize group-wide review mechanisms,” he tells P&Q. “This role also gave me the opportunity to work with the organization’s top management and aid strategic decision making via analysis of growth opportunities such as new products, potential national & international partnerships and acquisitions, and expansion of existing portfolio. Added to this, my deep involvement in designing long-term organizational architecture, business operating models, and people strategies for an organization of this humungous scale and complexity has been transformative in shaping my strategic & cognitive thinking.”

Despite this background, Sarpal is, in many ways, as much of a poet as he is a quant. “I trained in Indian classical music for over 13 years and love fusing different genres of music,” he adds. “I formed Beats & Strings, an Indie-Rock fusion band, along with colleagues at work and performed for over 60,000 people. Music keeps me sane, and I love to jam with friends and record & post song covers on Instagram.”

MULTIPLE MILITARY COMMENDATIONS

High-level military service is another hallmark of past IIM Ahmedabad batches. And the PGPX Class of 2026 is no different. In the Indian Navy, Rohan Bhuskute served as a Lieutenant Commander, where his portfolio of responsibilities ranged from cybersecurity to platform integration to procurement. On top of that, he spent a year on international assignment as a technical advisor to the Indian Embassy in the Maldives, where he managed $50-million in aviation assets in a nation with “limited infrastructure and stretched resources.” Not only did he boost the right metrics, but also made contributions that he estimates saved over 100 lives.

“I worked with teams from the Maldives, India, the US, and the UK, navigating not just logistics and operations, but also language, culture, and trust,” he tells P&Q. “What made this role special was the opportunity to go beyond the technical—to strengthen bilateral relations, foster local resilience, and inject $30 million into the Maldivian economy by enabling local partnerships. The moment I received commendations from both the High Commissioner of India and the Director of the Maldives National Defence Force, I realized that more than the systems; it was about the people, the cooperation, and the lives impacted.”

His classmate, Vineet Tripathi, spent a dozen years in the Indian Army. A Commanding Officer, Tripathi also took on the role of a Joint Director for a UN Mission in South Sudan. In both cases, his performance earned Tripathi commendations.

“Apart from receiving the Formation Commander’ Commendation Card in the United Nations for exception duty, my biggest achievement was to receive Governor of Sikkim Unit Appreciation for Outstanding Service by a Battalion in Sikkim at the face of the enemy when I was commanding my unit.”

A MAN WHO HAS DONE EVERYTHING…LITERALLY

The class is certainly well-equipped to discuss startup launches, funding, and scaling. Yash Samant – who studied Mechanical Engineering in the United States and restores motorcycles as a hobby – developed an automotive communications solution that’s used by over 50,000 customers globally. Nihitha Alicherry has already made a major career transition, moving from public relations to product development. In just two years, she quadrupled one firm’s product line, working alongside actress and producer Deepika Padukone in the process. For Maria Ben, whose dogs are named Dow and Jones, her big moment came when she broke into venture capital. It was a long journey that started when she co-founded the first student-managed investment fund at Ashoka University. After working as an analyst at KPMG, PwC, and Aavishkaar Capital, she finally earned her shot at the Omidyar Network.

“Through it all, I’ve seen both the highs and lows; fallen deals, the emotional rollercoaster of startup building, and the satisfaction of portfolio wins. More than the transition itself, what I’m most proud of is proving that purpose, consistency, and perseverance can take you far, even in the most selective and structured industries – when the odds aren’t in your favor.”

Maybe the most colorful background belongs to Abhishek Batra, who notes that he has “chased smugglers, grilled CXOs and championed forgotten kids and animals” – adding “Call me a storyteller.” Most recently an Intelligence Officer in Commercial Frauds and Narcotics for the Indian Government, he jokes that his career has been “as diverse as it gets.”

“I’ve been an IT professional, a school teacher, a businessman, a social worker, a law enforcement officer and a chief of staff. Confusion has been the only constant. Naturally, I now want to be a corporate leader.”

Oh…and he forgot to list being an entrepreneur too!

WHAT TO LEAVE IN, WHAT TO LEAVE OUT

Since arriving on campus, the Class of 2026 has stayed plenty busy. Just ask Maria Ben. “As part of the 61st Student Council of IIMA, I oversee the activities of 12+ career clubs spanning domains like product management, consulting, marketing, investing, and entrepreneurship. These clubs include students across cohorts across PGP, PGPX, and PhD, with around 40–50 active members in each. My role involves providing strategic direction, fostering collaboration, and supporting clubs in designing training and skill-building initiatives beyond the classroom, ensuring students are better prepared for job roles and recruitment processes.”

The class has also collected an array of accomplishments. For Aastha Gupta, that has meant generating media coverage for classmates in outlets like The Indian Express and The Hindu Business Line. In Nihitha Alicherry’s case, the biggest achievement has been making it through the quant-heavy courses – a task eased by her peers devoting “countless hours” of remediation to her. At the same time, Karan Sarpal points to overcoming FOMO – Fear of Missing Out – by learning to “say no to the good and say yes to the best”. This lesson was also absorbed by Vatsala Padmanabhan, who most recently worked in political intelligence after trying to “do everything and be everywhere” during the first term.

“Every competition, every networking session, every committee interest meeting, every discussion,” she clicks off. “I thought I could balance it all with an impeccable scheduling system and caffeine, but somewhere among 4:00 a.m. group assignments, 8:45 classes, and alternate-day quizzes, I realized I was present everywhere and fully present nowhere.”

What made a difference for Padmanabhan? “I hit pause and started asking myself a simple question: “What truly deserves my time today?” – and that changed everything. I began prioritizing not just based on urgency, but on meaning. I protected my time for deep work, started blocking off windows for reflection, and slowly learned to say no not from guilt, but from clarity…I had more energy, more focus, and more moments where I felt like myself again. The real win and my biggest accomplishment were learning to prioritize with intention.”

MAKING A BETTER PROFESSIONAL…AND A BETTER PERSON

That’s the point of the IIMA experience. The school may be synonymous with the MBA outside the gates. Among students, the phrase that comes to mind is academic rigor. Admittedly, says ’25 grad Aashruth Rangarajan, academics take center stage in the first half of the program. Overall, he adds, the experience was rather “balanced.”

“There was abundant time for extracurriculars (multiple sports and cultural fests) and networking. Additionally, we went to Paris for three weeks as a part of an ‘International Immersion Program’ and to Sikkim for a week for a grassroots innovations course. If you have clarity on what all you want from your one year, you can customize your experiences. Some (more than 3) got their startup launched; focused-on research projects; addressed fitness (one of my classmates lost 17 kgs in this one year); bridged their knowledge gaps; and honed their leadership skills (through leadership positions at numerous committees and clubs). It was up to us to fully use the one year over here.”

Looking back on his year at IIM Ahmedabad, Rohan Bhuskute has been amazed by his growth, a journey filled with “transformation, connection, and constant learning.”

“From walking in as strangers to building deep, meaningful bonds with 156 exceptional individuals, I’ve found not just classmates, but a chosen family,” he continues. “Every conversation, every debate, every late-night discussion has shaped me, not just into a better professional, but a better person. At IIMA, each day feels bigger than the last, richer in learning, insight, and perspective.”

WHERE THE CLASS COMES TOGETHER

And memories too. Abhas Katra Singh, for one, points to Ahmedabad’s off-campus thali joints as some of the best times he had among his classmates. “Nothing beats a long, chatty dinner over endless refills of Gujarati food. It’s comfort food, and it brings comfort conversation. Especially after long classes or intense prep, it’s where we go to laugh things off and reset.”

Vatsala Padmanabhan lauds the Vikram Sarabhai Library – or what she calls “my Hogwarts.” It is the “majestic red bricks and the garden,” she says that creates a sense of timelessness that leaves her “more centered.” Louis Kahn Plaza is another class favorite. Found at the center of campus, LKP – as it’s called – is a place where you’ll find MBA students on Fridays and Saturdays after midnight lounging and jamming to music in the green open space.

“The charming spot, set against the backdrop of the iconic Vikram Sarabhai Library, “is the perfect place to be, often as EARLY as 3 am in the morning,” jokes Karan Sarpal. “My class has countless memories of playing frisbee, laughing our lungs out, battling over Jenga, or simply lying back and staring at the clear, starry sky with our favourite songs playing in the background. It’s the heart of the campus since it is where the convocation happens.”

LEARNING FROM RAM BHAI

Off campus, there is Sabarmati Riverfront, where students can stroll the promenade after sunset or grab street delicacies ranging from dhokla to pizza. The Alpha One Mall, home to over 200 stories ranging from Tom Hilfiger to Adidas, is just a half mile from campus. Nearer to campus, there is always the tea stall run by Bhavesh Bhai, a legendary figure on campus.

“It isn’t just a hangout, it’s a rite of passage,” says Aastha Gupta. “Ram Bhai even finds his way into our lecture halls, with professors referencing him to explain economic concepts. Whether it’s a breather after hours of case prep or a midnight escape with friends, Ram Bhai’s is where bonds are built over cutting chai and bun maska. Its charm is timeless: you’ll even hear it mentioned fondly in boardrooms when IIMA alumni reminisce. For us, it’s not just a hangout, it’s a shared tradition that connects generations of students through stories, caffeine, and community.”

The same could be said for the campus itself, adds Pratyush Bharati, a product manager whose hobbies include baking sourdough and audio engineering. “Since all the PGPX dorms are arranged in a neat row, there is a garden located between them that we jokingly refer to as the “Bermuda Triangle of PGPX” because it almost always has someone from our batch present. All passersby must stop, say hi, and join in on some of the most memorable, engaging, and unhinged conversations of their day, regardless of who was there first. From debates regarding a spicy new topic discussed in the day’s classes to highly risqué gossip, that stop never ceases to surprise and entertain.”

In the end, these hangouts reminded the Class of 2026 of something even more important, adds Vatsala Padmanabhan. “We gather not for the place, but for each other and that reminds us to stay human. Behind every deadline is a person just trying to breathe, laugh, and occasionally, eat a fancy meal without a pending submission.”

Next Page: An interview with Professor Amit Karna, Chairperson of the full-time one-year Post Graduate Programme in Management (MBA-PGPX), and Professor Viswanath Pingali, Chairperson of Placements at IIMA

Page 3: Profiles of 11 Members of the PGPX Class of 2026

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