If you’re considering enrolling in an MBA program at ISB but don’t have much work experience, there’s excellent news for you! ISB has launched a new MBA program tailored for fresh graduates or those with limited professional experience. After graduation, you can opt for the Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders (PGP YL), provided you have a valid GMAT score.

The ISB PGP YL programme, launched in July 2025, aims to enroll high achievers—candidates who have distinguished themselves academically and in other pursuits. The goal is to create a diverse group of individuals who adopt a comprehensive approach to career development, appreciating those with unique or non-traditional experiences that enrich various viewpoints.  

What are the unique course offerings?

The Indian School of Business (ISB): Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders (PGP YL)

PGP YL is an intensive residential programme for ambitious individuals with up to two years of experience who want to fast-track their management careers. It is suitable for fresh graduates and those in the early stages of their careers (0-24 months of experience). 

• Duration: 20 Months 
• Location: Hyderabad

The Indian School of Business (ISB) stands out for providing high-quality education at costs comparable to leading Indian institutions. It has a dedicated team of over 70 resident faculty and around 200 visiting faculty members. Additionally, ISB has a vast global alum network comprising more than 800 professionals in CXO roles and over 1,000 accomplished entrepreneurs from 60 countries.

Understanding the ISB YLP Selection Criteria

The Indian School of Business (ISB) Young Leaders Programme (YLP) seeks to identify and nurture exceptional talent from various colleges across India. It’s not just about excellent academic performance; ISB looks for candidates who can stand out in a crowd. Whether you’re a brilliant debater, dancer, or athlete, contributing to class diversity can bolster your application.

ISB has established a comprehensive framework for evaluating candidates based on the criteria below. Here’s an overview of what ISB PGP YL considers for applicants.

Key Criteria for Evaluation

• Academic Brilliance: ISB prioritises academic excellence. The institution will review your academic history to ensure you have the intellectual capacity to thrive in a rigorous MBA environment. ISB looks for candidates who have consistently performed well academically, including in class 10 and 12 boards and your college. Although exceptional grades are not mandatory, it is advisable to maintain high grades and avoid sudden dips, as that might indicate inconsistency.

• Exceptional Test Scores: Besides your academic performance, standardised test scores such as the GMAT, SAT, or ACT play a crucial role. While a high score won’t guarantee admission, it certainly strengthens your application.

• Leadership Potential: ISB values future leaders. Candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their leadership experiences through school projects, team initiatives, or community service.

• Clarity of Goals: Applicants must articulate clear career goals. ISB wants to understand how their program aligns with your aspirations and how you plan to leverage it for future success.

• Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial. The application essays and interviews provide an opportunity to showcase your ability to express thoughts and ideas clearly.

• Diverse Perspectives: The school values diversity in its student body, welcoming individuals from various regions, cultures, and backgrounds to enrich the learning experience.

• Adaptability: The dynamic nature of the business world requires adaptability. ISB seeks candidates who can think independently and thrive in a changing environment.

• Resilience: Life can be unpredictable. ISB looks for applicants’ ability to recover from setbacks and maintain focus on their goals.

• Personal Growth: Candidates should reflect on their growth journey, highlighting any challenges they have overcome or passions they have pursued. This aspect enhances the overall appeal of their application.

• Contribution to the ISB Community: ISB seeks individuals ready to actively engage and contribute to the campus environment, whether through clubs, events, or initiatives that enhance the student experience.

There is no universal formula for a successful ISB YLP candidate. The candidate must present unique qualities, experiences, and ambitions. As you prepare your application, prioritise authenticity and allow your true self to shine. Demonstrate to ISB why you are a future leader worth investing in.

Course Curriculum

The PGP YL curriculum is designed to train future corporate leaders. It has three stages, which are listed below.

1. Maximise Cross-Functional Learning

This term aims to build a strong career foundation for the students by providing them with cross-functional expertise, consumer insights, and practical solutions to cater to market needs with relevant products and services. The course includes the following objectives.

• Analytical Foundation

Establish a strong understanding of business and economic principles, enhance your analytical thinking, and gain comprehensive data science knowledge.

• Specialised Knowledge 

Delve into management functions through comprehensive courses that blend technology, data, and analytical insights.

• Team Leadership  

Cultivate your abilities in communication, team leadership, and influence to guide teams and manage workplace dynamics effectively.

• Customised  Learning Paths  

Explore various electives designed to meet industry needs. These allow for an in-depth exploration of different fields and career opportunities.

2. Business in Action

The PGP YL learning journey offers students various opportunities for practical experience in different work environments. At its core, this module provides experiential learning divided into three parts.

Innovation through Design Exploration and Actionable Solutions (iDEAS)

This experiential business design lab immerses students in real-world challenges, fostering a deep understanding of business complexities and practical skills. Students develop solutions that meet end-user needs using a user-centric approach. iDEAS equips graduates to be agile, innovative problem solvers who can navigate ambiguity and drive change. The program also enhances leadership skills, empowering students to inspire others. Overall, iDEAS provides a competitive advantage, positioning students as future leaders in the dynamic business landscape.

Mandatory Summer Internship

The required summer internship after Year 1 is essential to preparing for a successful career. It offers students a chance to obtain hands-on experience in a professional environment. This immersive experience allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge to tackle real-world problems while honing vital management and teamwork skills. This internship will enable students to investigate various career options, boost their resumes, and better understand businesses’ operations.

Platform for Innovation and Venture-Oriented Thinking (PiVOT)

At PiVOT, students are taught to integrate design thinking, cutting-edge business strategies, and innovative technologies into a unified entrepreneurial framework. They will develop an extensive business plan with a validated business model, a clear value proposition, a scalable pricing strategy, a profit formula focused on growth, and a launch plan to achieve long-term success. PiVOT provides a transformative educational experience that prepares students to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving business environment.

3. Global Perspective

The program offers students essential insights into international business practices, broadening their knowledge of various markets and enhancing their ability to navigate different cultures. Participants will benefit from instruction by esteemed faculty from leading global business schools, who will share their experiences and viewpoints from around the world in the classroom.

Career Advancement

A structured career and professional development program customised to enhance the curriculum will enable students to manage intricate career paths effectively. This program will give them the skills and knowledge to make thoughtful and independent career choices. Additionally, the Career Advancement Services team at ISB will support students in securing mandatory summer internships during their first year and help with final job placements in their subsequent year.

ISB Class 2024 Placement Highlights

Since the PGP YL program was recently launched, let us look at the overall placement report for 2024. The placement report for the ISB Class of 2024 highlights significant achievements in career opportunities. Notably, there has been an increase in leadership roles, such as Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Chief of Staff. Below are the overall placement achievements.

• Industry and Function Shifts: 70% of students transitioned into new industries, with 74% changing functional roles. 
• Offers and Compensation: The cohort of 405 students generated over 1,200 job offers, with 80% receiving packages exceeding ₹35 LPA.
• Female Representation: Female students comprised 40% of the cohort and benefited from mentorship initiatives by the Women in Business Club and Career Services.
• Client Engagement: Over 70 new client connections were formed, and more than 20 companies offered multiple positions.
• International Placements: Strong international opportunities included 27 offers across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Top Sectors: Consulting and Technology led hiring, making up over 50% of offers, while 

FMCG/E-commerce and Conglomerates accounted for 10%, with roles in Business Strategy and Marketing. Emerging sectors like Electric Mobility also showed intense hiring activity.

These results reflect ISB’s effectiveness in preparing graduates for a competitive job market. ISB’s PGPYL program is distinctive due to its hybrid design, which blends rigorous academics with practical learning experiences and a mandatory internship. While it shares similarities with MiM programs at institutions such as INSEAD and IE Business School, it sets itself apart with its 20-month duration and emphasis on data analytics and technology.