IIT Kharagpur's VGSoM MBA Batch Sees 60% Women, Highest Ever
The Vinod Gupta School of Management (VGSoM) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has reported that women constitute 60% of the students in its 2026-28 MBA programme. This marks the highest proportion of female students in the school's history.
Abhijeet Chandra, chairperson of MBA Admissions at VGSoM, noted that the usual proportion of women in the programme ranges from 40% to 50%. 'This year, the number of female students has exceeded male students, and women comprise 60% of the batch, reflecting the school's commitment to diversity,' he said.
The current batch has over 140 students hailing from 28 states across India, with an average of 2.5 years of diverse work experience, Chandra added.
VGSoM, established in 1993 through the philanthropic vision of IIT Kharagpur alumnus Vinod Gupta, was the first management school within the IIT system. It continues to be recognised for integrating technological excellence with managerial education.
An inauguration programme for the new batch was held on July 14, 2026, at IIT Kharagpur. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, encouraged the incoming students to uphold the values of courage, conviction, and generosity that define the institute and its alumni.
Rudra Prakash Pradhan, Dean of VGSoM, announced the school's expanding academic programmes, including new interdisciplinary electives in artificial intelligence, technology management, and analytics.
The chief guest, Rahul Suresh Ghali, Associate Director at Accenture, urged students to view artificial intelligence as a powerful enabler rather than a replacement for human intellect. 'Artificial intelligence can be a tutor and a guide, but it cannot be a substitute for one's own mind,' Ghali cautioned.
