Harshit Poddar from IIM Bangalore has earned his place among the 50 Most Employable MBA Graduates from the Class of 2026. His story is one of consistent high achievement, blending analytical rigor in finance with a deep-seated commitment to social impact and inclusive growth, shaped by his roots in Guwahati, Assam. Scroll down to discover how Harshit has transformed opportunities into milestones and challenges into stepping stones on his path to professional excellence.
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The Ascent: From North-East Gold Medalist to Global Finance
Harshit Poddar’s trajectory is marked by ambitious transitions and consistent excellence. He graduated as a Gold Medalist in Economics from Hansraj College, Delhi University, a feat that required significant adaptability after moving from Guwahati, Assam. His MBA candidacy at IIM Bangalore is a further testament to his drive.
Harshit’s professional focus is on finance and strategy. His summer internship with FinIQ as a Management Intern involved working on global financial models and market strategies, complementing his success in winning multiple national case competitions in valuations and strategy. Beyond the classroom, he served as a coordinator at Wallstone Capital and, crucially, as a volunteer leader with the Robin Hood Army, where he managed initiatives that impacted over 100,000 lives. With a strong foundation in finance, economics, and community building, Harshit aspires to one day become the Finance Minister of India.
The Inner Core: Discipline, Consistency, and Growth
Harshit is most proud of winning the Gold Medal in Economics at Hansraj College. For him, the achievement is meaningful because it validated that with perseverance and focus, one can excel irrespective of their starting point, reflecting his transition from a more limited exposure in Guwahati to the competitive academic ecosystem of Delhi University. This experience sharpened his analytical skills and reinforced his ambition to aim higher, both in finance and in national policy.
Harshit’s top three strengths, not immediately visible on his resume, are:
- Discipline: Learned while growing up in Guwahati, this strength is the ability to show up every day and put in the work, even when resources are limited.
- Consistency: This trait has been his anchor, enabling steady effort over quick wins in academics, case competitions, and volunteering initiatives.
- Willingness to Accept: The readiness to accept feedback, criticism, or setbacks without ego, which drives continuous learning and improvement.
The Employable Edge in an AI-Augmented World
The trait that makes Harshit highly employable in today’s AI-augmented business world is his adaptability and willingness to learn continuously. Having successfully transitioned from Guwahati to Hansraj College and IIM Bangalore, he has consistently proven he can thrive in diverse and complex environments.
This agility was evident in his internship at FinIQ, where he quickly adapted to a steep learning curve in quantitative finance while simultaneously contributing to product strategy. In parallel, his experience leading large-scale volunteer initiatives with the Robin Hood Army, mobilizing over 500 volunteers across varied contexts, taught him to adjust plans in real time. This continuous learning and agility enable him to embrace evolving technologies like AI and align them with effective, human-centered business outcomes.
The Character: Choosing to Show Up
Harshit gave a detailed instance of selflessness during the peak of the COVID pandemic and severe floods in Assam. Despite the anxiety and pleas from his parents about the health risks, he could not stay behind when he saw people who did not know where their next meal would come from.
While volunteering with the Robin Hood Army at a relief camp, he met a young boy worried about his unwell grandmother and lack of food. Handing the boy a food packet and medicines was a small gesture, but the relief on the boy’s face was profound. In that moment, the personal risks and discomfort faded. This experience reinforced his belief that sometimes leadership is not about making big decisions, but about choosing to show up for others when it matters most, prioritizing their dignity and need over personal comfort.
Harshit Poddar offers a strong candidature defined by a rare combination: a gold-standard academic record, specialized finance and strategy acumen from his internship and case competitions, and demonstrated leadership that focuses on large-scale social impact. His ability to represent India at the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations exposed him to global perspectives and the importance of empathy. He brings an adaptable, people-centric, and resilient character, ensuring he is not only analytically sound but also capable of inspiring collaboration toward a shared goal.
