IIM Kozhikode has welcomed its 2026–28 MBA cohort, setting a new benchmark for diversity among India's premier business schools. The institute has recorded the highest-ever representation of women in the history of the IIM system, with women constituting 66% of the flagship PGP batch. The incoming cohort also reflects increasing academic diversity, with non-engineers outnumbering engineers in the flagship programme.
The induction ceremony welcomed students across the institute's three full-time MBA programmes—PGP, PGP in Finance (PGP-Fin), and PGP in Liberal Studies & Management (PGP-LSM)—along with doctoral scholars. Here's a detailed look at the latest batch profile.
IIM Kozhikode PGP Class of 2028
The flagship Post Graduate Programme (PGP) inducted 499 students for the 2026–28 batch.
Batch Highlights
- Batch Size: 499
- Female Students: 329
- Male Students: 170
- Women in the Batch: 66%
- Engineers: 215
- Non-Engineers: 284
The Class of 2028 is the 30th batch of IIM Kozhikode's flagship PGP and marks a significant milestone in the institute's efforts to build a more diverse and inclusive classroom. Women now account for nearly two-thirds of the incoming batch—the highest proportion ever recorded in a flagship MBA programme across the IIMs.
Academic Diversity Continues To Grow
For years, engineering graduates have dominated MBA classrooms across India. However, IIM Kozhikode's latest intake reflects a noticeable shift.
Of the 499 students admitted to the flagship PGP:
| Academic Background | Students |
| Non-Engineers | 284 |
| Engineers | 215 |
With 57% of the cohort coming from non-engineering backgrounds, the institute continues to strengthen academic diversity by bringing together students from commerce, economics, sciences, humanities, law, and other disciplines alongside engineers.
Overall MBA Intake At IIM Kozhikode
Across its three full-time MBA programmes, IIM Kozhikode inducted 599 students this year.
| Programme | Students |
| PGP | 499 |
| PGP-LSM | 51 |
| PGP-Fin | 49 |
| Total MBA Students | 599 |
In addition, the institute welcomed 99 doctoral scholars across its doctoral programmes.
Other Highlights From The 2026 Intake
The institute also shared programme-specific diversity highlights:
- Nearly 63% women across all three full-time MBA programmes.
- 82% women in the PGP-LSM batch.
- 96% non-engineers in the PGP-LSM programme.
- 87% male students in the PGP-Fin batch.
- 66% women in the doctoral programmes—the highest in the institute's history.
What Does This Mean For MBA Aspirants?
The latest batch profile reflects an important trend in management education. While academic excellence remains central to admissions, top B-schools are increasingly building classrooms with greater gender and academic diversity.
For aspirants, the data reinforces that candidates from non-engineering backgrounds continue to gain strong representation at leading B-schools. At the same time, IIM Kozhikode's record female intake highlights the institute's sustained focus on creating a more inclusive learning environment.
While the institute has not yet released details such as the average age, average work experience, or industry-wise profile of the incoming batch, the available data clearly points towards a classroom that is more balanced, multidisciplinary, and representative than ever before.