IIM Sirmaur’s Tenth Annual Convocation
The 10th Convocation of the Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur was held on April 19, 2026, at its permanent campus in Dhaula Kuan, marking a significant milestone in the Institute’s decade-long journey of academic excellence, global engagement and nation-building.
Shri Siddharth Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tata Trusts, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the Convocation Address. Shri Ajay S. Shriram, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Sirmaur, presided over the ceremony. The ceremony commenced with the academic procession, followed by the formal declaration of the convocation open by the Chairperson of the Board of Governors.
Dr. Prafulla Y. Agnihotri, Director, IIM Sirmaur, presented the Institute’s annual report for the academic year 2025–26, highlighting key achievements across academic programmes, research, global collaborations, placements and institutional development. He noted that the Institute currently offers a comprehensive portfolio of programmes, including the flagship MBA, MBA in Tourism Management, MBA in Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Management (TTHM), PhD in Management, Bachelor of Management Studies, and specialized executive programmes such as the Executive MBA and Executive MBA in Digital Transformation and Analytics.
A key highlight of the year was the continued progress of the Post Graduate Programme for Executives in Leadership in Smart Manufacturing (PGPEX-LSM), offered in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University, Germany. The graduation of its first batch this year reflects the Institute’s commitment to aligning management education with national priorities such as “Make in India” and the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Strengthening its global footprint, IIM Sirmaur deepened its international engagement through strategic collaborations with six globally reputed institutions: RWTH Aachen University (Germany), emlyon Business School (France), Saint Marie De Chavagnes (France), University of Mauritius, University of Technology (Mauritius), and the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Republic of Mauritius. These partnerships go beyond symbolic associations, enabling student mobility, joint programmes, global immersion, and collaborative research, thereby embedding international exposure within the Institute’s academic ecosystem.
The Director emphasized the Institute’s strong placement performance despite a challenging economic climate. Over 400 firms engaged with the Institute during the year, translating into a record breadth of opportunities. Approximately 220 companies participated in final placements, extending over 250 offers, with an average CTC of ₹15.9 LPA and a highest CTC of ₹30 LPA. Prominent recruiters included MG Motors, Dabur, EY, Tech Mahindra, Taj Hotels, and Amul.
Faculty achievements during the year reflected a strengthening and maturing research culture at the Institute with multiple papers in A-category journals and a publication in a prestigious A* journal. Beyond publications, faculty secured competitive research grants, authored books with reputed international publishers, contributed to public discourse through leading newspapers, and filed patents in emerging interdisciplinary domains. Collectively, these achievements signal IIM Sirmaur’s growing stature as a research-driven and globally oriented management institution.
The Institute also made significant investments in academic infrastructure, including over ₹3.5 crores in the Learning Resource Centre, strengthening access to global knowledge resources. The year marked exceptional growth in executive education and consultancy. Management Development Programmes (MDPs) recorded a 154% increase in revenue, alongside strong growth in outreach, participants, and programme delivery. The Institute also undertook multiple consultancy projects with ministries and public institutions, reinforcing its role as a strategic partner to government and industry.
Students of IIM Sirmaur continued to excel across academic, corporate, and extracurricular domains, securing top ranks in national competitions, presenting research at international forums, and achieving notable success in sports and co-curricular activities. The Institute also marked a decade of its alumni network through “Sangrah,” a milestone initiative connecting alumni across major cities and reflecting the expanding strength of its community.
Addressing the graduating students, Dr. Agnihotri emphasized the importance of social responsibility, resilience, and lifelong learning. He encouraged them to remain grounded, value the sacrifices of their families, and contribute meaningfully to society while pursuing excellence in their professional journeys.
Following the Director’s address, Shri Ajay S. Shriram addressed the gathering, highlighting the central role of nurturing talent in advancing nation-building. Reflecting on the evolving business environment, he underscored the importance of resilience, adaptability, and values-driven leadership. He outlined key principles for building successful organizations and meaningful careers—remaining a lifelong learner, building and sustaining relationships based on trust and transparency, recognizing that people are at the heart of every organization, and upholding a strong value system that must be consistently practiced and lived. His address reinforced the idea that enduring success is anchored not just in competence, but in character.
This convocation holds special significance as it marks the graduation of the inaugural batches of several programmes, including the PhD, Executive MBA, Executive MBA (DTA), MBA (TTHM), and the first batch of PGPEX-LSM participants. Shri Ajay S. Shriram conferred degrees upon the graduating students in the presence of proud family members and faculty.
A total of 215 MBA, 49 MBA (Tourism Management), 17 MBA (Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Management), 31 Executive MBA, 18 Executive MBA (Digital Transformation and Analytics), 8 PGPEX-LSM participants and 2 PhD scholars graduated this year. Academic excellence was recognized through prestigious awards, with Mr. Keshav Jaswal receiving the Chairman’s Gold Medal for securing first rank in the MBA programme, and Mr. Yash Munot being awarded the Director’s Gold Medal for second rank. Mr. Yash Munot was also honoured with the Gold Medal for Best All-Round Performance. In area-wise distinctions, Mr. Govind Garg received the Gold Medal for Academic Proficiency in Finance, while Mr. Pratham Kedia was awarded the Gold Medal for Academic Proficiency in Marketing. Among executive programmes, Mr. Kunal Gupta received the Chairman’s Gold Medal in the Executive MBA, and Ms. Gunjan Kapoor was awarded the Director’s Gold Medal in the Executive MBA (DTA) programme. In MBA (Tourism Management), Mr. Aekkus Bir Singh Ahuja was recognized for best academic performance.
Following the conferment of degrees, Shri Siddharth Sharma delivered the Convocation Address. Congratulating the graduating students, he described the occasion as a defining transition from academic life to leadership in the real world and urged them to approach this journey with purpose and humility. He emphasized the importance of doing one’s best in every task, regardless of scale, and cautioned against both overconfidence and under-confidence, encouraging students to remain grounded while believing firmly in their abilities. Highlighting the broader role of business in society, he noted that enterprise is deeply rooted in philanthropy and ethics, and emphasized the importance of social responsibility and meaningful contribution. Drawing from the work and legacy of Tata Trusts, he shared insights on sustainable development and long-term impact, including efforts across sectors such as aviation, hospitality, and climate action, with a vision towards achieving net-zero emissions in the coming decades. He further underscored that leadership must be anchored in integrity and ethical decision-making, urging students to never waver from their moral compass irrespective of circumstances. Encouraging them to embrace uncertainty, he advised them not to shy away from unfamiliar situations, but to view them as opportunities for growth. He concluded by inspiring the graduates to dream big and define success not merely by professional achievements, but by the positive impact they create in the lives of others.
The event concluded with a sense of pride and celebration, marking ten years of IIM Sirmaur’s journey in shaping responsible leaders. As the Institute steps into its next decade, it remains steadfast in its commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and nation-building.
