Indian School of Business (ISB)

The Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, is widely recognized as India’s most prestigious and globally respected private business school. It was founded in 2001 in response to the country’s need for a world-class, research-driven institution that would offer a rigorous, globally benchmarked management education entirely in India. The ISB Hyderabad campus, designed in distinctive sandstone and modern architecture, sprawls over 260 lush, landscapedacres in the high-growth area of Gachibowli, Hyderabad.

Academic Leadership & Global Alliances:
ISB Hyderabad’s vision and governance model have always been unique: the school operateswith an international board including professors from The Wharton School, Kellogg, andLondon Business School and maintains formal global academic partnerships. It was the first Indian business school to achieve the “triple crown” of accreditations (AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB), putting it in the world’s top 1% of B-schools.

Flagship Program – The 1-Year PGP:
The flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP)—India’s original and foremost 1-year MBA-equivalent—is ISB Hyderabad’s chief claim to fame. Admitted students (avg. GMAT: 710–720, work experience: 4–6 years) join a fast-paced 12-month program that compresses a full two-year MBA curriculum into one year, with electives and projects allowing deep specialization. The PGP curriculum is reviewed and co-designed with input from thetop B-schools globally and augmented with unique leadership and entrepreneurial modules.

Faculty & Research:
ISB’s faculty body ranks among the best in Asia, frequently publishing in A-ranked journalsand leading government/corporate consulting assignments. Regular visiting professors includeWharton and Kellogg faculty, top public policy experts, Nobel laureates, and award-winningresearchers. ISB’s research centres span critical areas: analytics, economics, infrastructure, healthcare, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and family business.

Experiential Learning & Industry Immersion:
All ISB programs feature a heavy focus on live consulting, interdisciplinary projects, andhands-on learning. Students participate in the Experiential Learning Programme (ELP: ISB's live consulting with top companies), Leadership Development Labs, industry treks, and the iDiya social venture challenge. Specialized labs exist for analytics, healthcare, public policy, digital strategy, and more, always in close partnership with industry.

Global Exposure:
ISB Hyderabad boasts partner agreements for student exchanges, dual degrees, and executivemodules with Wharton, LBS, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, NUS Singapore, and many more. The school regularly sees 100+ students on international industry immersions or full-semester exchanges, and every cohort has a substantial international/NRIs share.

Campus & Student Life:
Hyderabad’s 260-acre campus is modern, eco-conscious (30-acre green belt, rainwaterharvesting, sustainable practices), and replete with technology-enabled classrooms, advancedlibraries, entrepreneurship and innovation centres, residential hostels, gyms, courts, amphitheatres, and vibrant cafés. There are 50+ student-run interest clubs, societies (from finance and analytics to sports, arts, and social impact), and signature events like Solstice, Equinox, the ISB Leadership Summit, and industry conclaves happening year-round.

Alumni Network & Employer Reputation:
With a network of 18,000+ alumni in 65+ countries—including hundreds of CXOs, unicornfounders, and public leaders—ISB has the most powerful, high-impact business school alumni cohort in India. The Career Advancement Services office has earned global repute for placement innovation and employer support.

Value Proposition:
ISB Hyderabad is decisive for career transitions and leadership acceleration. The average ISB job-switch post-MBA represents a 2.2X–2.4X salary jump; 80% of the batch moves to entirely new sectors or functions. ISB ranks #2 worldwide in salary increase (FT, 2025) and #4 for alumninetwork quality. Most students recover their tuition investment within a year after graduation.

Other programs (PGPpro, PGPMAX, MFAB) may have rolling or separate deadlines.

ISB Hyderabad’s programs are engineered for breadth, depth, and real-world relevance.

Core Offerings:

• PGP (Post Graduate Programme in Management, 1-year MBA equiv.):

  • Core terms: Finance, Strategy, Operations, Economics, Marketing, OB, Leadership, Analytics, Ethics

  • 100+ electives: AI for Business, PE/VC, Supply Chain, Digital Transformation, Healthcare, Social Impact, Sustainability

  • Signature LEAD (Leadership Development), global exchange, industry projects

• PGPpro: 18–22 month weekend/alternate weekend MBA for working professionals in NCR/Bangalore/Mumbai/Hyderabad.

• PGPMAX: 15-month modular Executive MBA for professionals with 10+ years of experience; 7 international immersions; suited for senior managers and future CXOs.

• PGP MFAB: For family business leaders—global modules with Wharton, networking, and enterprise innovation.

• PGP YLP: Deferred admit for final-year undergraduates; 2 years’ work experience required before joining.

• FPM/EFPM: 4–5 year doctoral programs in Finance, Strategy, Marketing, IT, Public Policy, and more.

• AMPs/Certificates: Short/long courses in Business Analytics, Healthcare, Operations, Infrastructure, Digital Marketing, and Public Policy for specialist upskilling.

All programs are deeply integrated with industry mentors, experiential learning projects, and exclusive leadership modules.

1. Preliminary Eligibility:

   • Bachelor’s degree (any stream, recognized university)

   • At least 2 years of full-time work experience (PGP)

   • Competitive GMAT/GRE score (typically 710+ for GMAT, 320+ for GRE)

2. Application Submission:

   • Online form completion, payment of application fee

   • Upload transcripts, exam score, resume/CV, essays, two professional recommendations

   • Indicate preferences for campus, electives, global programs (optional)

3. Shortlisting:

   • Holistic profile review: work history, leadership potential, achievements, diversity, entrepreneurial/impact experience

   • No strict cut-offs, but median batch scores high (GMAT 710–720, GRE 320–322)

   • Candidates below the averages can strengthen profile with unique experience or impact

4. Personal Interview:

   • Invitation-based; panel assesses communication, leadership, analytical skills, fit for ISB culture, future plans.

   • May include situational and behavioral questions.

5. Final Merit List:

   • Composite of academics, test score, work history, essays, interview.

6. Offer and Acceptance:

   • Formal offer of admission (may include scholarship)

   • Tuition deposit/payment and onboarding registration

7. Pre-Program Prep:

   • Online orientation, career resource registration, cohort integration activities

All major loan providers (SBI, Axis, HDFC Credila, Avanse) have direct tie-ups with ISB for full or part-fee loans; on-campus office assistance provided.

ISB Hyderabad delivers industry-best employment outcomes and career transitions, consistently returning a >200% average salary hike and high CXO conversions.

• 2025 Batch Highlights:

  • Highest domestic CTC: ₹70–72 LPA; International: ₹72 LPA+

  • Average CTC: ₹33.25–35 LPA; Median: ₹30–31 LPA

  • No. companies: 350+

  • No. offers: 1,100+

  • % batch placed in top 3 domains: 75%

  • PPO/PPI: 250+

• Sector-wise Placements:

  • Management Consulting: McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, Deloitte, PwC, Grant Thornton

  • Technology/IT: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Flipkart, Infosys, TCS, Adobe

  • Finance: Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse

  • Product Management, Strategy & Leadership roles: Tata, Mahindra, Jio, Aditya Birla, Reliance, Asian Paints

  • Startups: BYJU’s, OYO, Delhivery, Zomato, Freshworks

• Career Services Support:

  • On-campus and remote interview prep, CV workshops, 1:1 alumni mentoring, job fairs, global mobility and relocation support.

• Alumni Impact:

  • 18,000+ alumni, 65+ countries, including unicorn founders, CxOs, policymakers, and leaders changing society

  • Lifetime ISB Career Advancement Services for alumni job switch, international mobility, entrepreneurship