The Indian School of Business – which was recently ranked India’s best by the FT – will soon start taking freshers. This new course is called the Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders (PGP YL), the application deadline for which is closing March 16. Prior to this, the ISB admitted only working professionals – and was a school for career advancement, instead of career creation. We talked to Prof Deepa Mani, deputy dean, Academic Programmes and Digital Learning, ISB, on why it started PGP YL.

Why did the ISB previously admit only working professionals?

The ISB evolved from the need for a world-class business school in Asia that responded to the needs of emerging economies for impactful leadership. In 1995, the founders of the ISB – some of the best minds from industry and academia – pioneered the one-year Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP), a radical innovation in business education in India.This PGP enabled career advancement, and pivots through accelerated leadership development and specialisation. The enhanced learning experience includes strong analytical foundations, global perspectives, immersive pedagogies, and rich experiences that prepare working professionals to build, manage, grow, and lead businesses that create significant impact in the modern economy.

And why did you launch the PGP YL now, and not anytime earlier?

The launch of the PGP YL is aligned with the ISB’s vision to groom leaders for India and the world. This 20-month programme responds to growing industry needs for the next generation of innovative, versatile, technology-savvy leaders. Its focus on analytical problem-solving, business foundations, and experiential field-learning will empower young professionals with little to no work experience with the knowledge and competencies required to make a positive impact in today’s dynamic, tech-intensive, global business environment.

What will be the batch size?

The first cohort would have 120-130 students.

Will the course content of the PGP YL be different from that of the one-year PGP?

The curricula of both programmes respond to the unique needs of their respective learners. Students in the PGP YL are young professionals with 0-2 years of work experience. Their curriculum includes:(a) Robust foundational knowledge: The core curriculum blends knowledge of analytical foundations of business, key business areas, the latest in technology, data and analytics, critical thinking, and the skills required to effectively lead teams and navigate workplace dynamics.

Core learning is complemented by robust electives that enable in-depth study of various fields and career paths.(b) Real-world application: The programme provides opportunities for learners to bridge theory and practice in various work settings. These include user-centric problem-solving in a business design lab, field projects, hands-on exposure to the startup ecosystem, and a mandatory 8-week summer internship with top corporates. Networking opportunities also help students build a robust professional network.(c) Global perspectives: Students in the PGP YL learn from accomplished faculty at the ISB and leading global B-schools, gaining an unmatched opportunity to broaden their horizons, learn international best practices, and work across cultures, positioning them for success as future business leaders.

Why is the PGP YL only taught at the Hyderabad campus, and not Mohali?

At present, we will be inducting students only at Hyderabad campus.

Is this the first time that the ISB has started accepting CAT scores for admissions (for PGP YL)?

Yes, this is the first time we are accepting CAT scores for admission (only for the PGP YL). But test scores are not limited to CAT – we also encourage applicants to submit their GMAT or GRE scores.

Is the placement package of the PGP YL students expected to be lower than the placement package of your flagship PGP students?

We are in the process of receiving applications for the very first batch of the PGP YL cohort. Queries on placement opportunities can be addressed closer to the placement season, i.e., 2026-27.

How many students have graduated from the ISB since 2001?

We have over 18,000 alumni across 65 countries, with more than 800 in CXO and top leadership positions.The first cohort of 128 students began their journey at the ISB Hyderabad in July 2001.

Why is the ISB’s flagship programme called the PGP and not the MBA?

The PGP refers to the ISB’s full-time one-year residential management programme. It is comparable in content, rigour and impact to a regular full-time MBA programme offered by global B-schools. The curriculum taught by globally-accomplished faculty is aligned with the school’s vision to groom future leaders for India and the world, and is manifest in the exceptional career outcomes and leadership potential of its distinguished alumni.