Bodh Gaya: The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya (IIM Bodh Gaya) has commenced its 10-day Orientation Programme 2026, welcoming a total of 591 students and scholars across its flagship management programmes. The first two days of the programme featured prominent government officials, corporate leaders, and academicians who encouraged the incoming batch to embrace innovation, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning.
The new cohort includes 351 MBA students, 96 students in MBA (Digital Business & Artificial Intelligence), 86 students in MBA (Hospital & Healthcare Management), 18 PhD scholars, and 40 Executive MBA participants. Students have joined the institute from 23 States and Union Territories, representing diverse academic disciplines and professional backgrounds that will contribute to a multidisciplinary learning environment.
According to the institute, the flagship MBA 2026–28 batch consists of 69 women and 224 men, including three international students. Nearly 65% of the students come from non-engineering backgrounds, while 114 students possess prior industry experience, averaging more than 24 months. The Digital Business & Artificial Intelligence programme includes 96 students from 19 States and Union Territories, while the Hospital & Healthcare Management programme has enrolled 86 students from 20 States and Union Territories, reflecting the growing demand for specialised management education.
Addressing the inaugural session, Prof. Vinita S. Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, urged students to remain adaptable and purpose-driven in an evolving technological landscape.
“As you begin your journey at IIM Bodh Gaya, I encourage you to embrace change with an open mind, remain rooted in our core values, and commit yourself to continuous learning. The future belongs to those who can adapt to technological advancements while leading with integrity, empathy, mindfulness and a strong sense of purpose,” she said.
The orientation programme also featured addresses by senior government officials, including Shri Pratyaya Amrit (IAS), Chief Secretary of Bihar, Shri Vikas Vaibhav (IPS), Inspector General of Police, Magadh Range, and Shri Devendra Kumar (IRPS), Director, DBT Mission, Government of India. They were joined by business leaders from organisations including KPMG, Birlasoft, Suzuki Research & Development Center India, Newgen Software Technologies, Nippon Life India Asset Management, and CAMS Insurance Repository, who shared insights on leadership, innovation, talent management, and the future of business.
On the second day, Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO of Fortis Healthcare, highlighted the increasing need for professionally trained healthcare managers.
“Several fine doctors struggle to manage administration they were not trained for. The healthcare industry needs leaders who understand the language of medicine and management,” he said.
Industry experts from EPAM Systems, Jupiter Hospital, Fortis Healthcare, and Agilisium also interacted with students, discussing digital transformation, innovation, talent development, and the evolving expectations of employers from management graduates.
The orientation programme will continue over the next several days with faculty interactions, alumni sessions, mentoring activities, team-building exercises, case-based workshops, and experiential learning opportunities aimed at preparing students for the academic rigour and leadership responsibilities ahead.
About IIM Bodh Gaya
Established as part of the prestigious IIM network, IIM Bodh Gaya is currently in its 10th year and focuses on developing socially responsible managers and emotionally intelligent leaders through industry engagement, research-driven pedagogy, and experiential learning. The institute has steadily improved its national standing while producing graduates who contribute across diverse sectors.
Image Caption: Students attend the Orientation Programme 2026 at IIM Bodh Gaya, where government officials, industry leaders and academicians addressed the incoming batch of 591 students.
