BENGALURU — Addressing the 51st convocation of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) on March 27, 2026, HDFC Life Managing Director and CEO Vibha Padalkar urged the graduating class of 785 students to prioritize sustainable value creation over immediate professional acceleration. Speaking at the campus ceremony, Padalkar emphasized that leadership in an evolving business landscape requires the “wisdom to play the long game” rather than focusing on short-term metrics.
The address centered on the distinction between “sprinting” in one’s career and maintaining the endurance required for a “marathon.” Padalkar argued that lasting institutions are built through consistent, deliberate choices rather than sporadic bursts of energy. She identified precision, persuasion, and the ability to “slow down to accelerate” as the technical and psychological pillars of a sustainable career.
Reflecting on her own tenure in the financial sector, Padalkar cited three personal turning points: the choice of finance as a core discipline, the decision to build her career in Mumbai, and the selection of a supportive life partner. These decisions, she noted, provided the stability necessary to navigate a volatile global market.
This year’s convocation arrives as IIMB undergoes a significant structural expansion. Professor U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, detailed the institute’s pivot toward undergraduate education with the introduction of BSc Honors programs in Economics and Data Science. This move signals a strategic shift for the traditionally postgraduate-focused institution to capture high-performing students earlier in their academic careers.
The institute also reported progress on its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. The campus recently transitioned to an electric vehicle (EV) fleet and introduced a mandatory core course on “Responsible Business and Sustainability.” These developments follow IIMB’s receipt of the 2025 ELCITA Sustainability Awards for biodiversity and social welfare.
A total of nine students received gold medals for academic and all-round excellence. Manasi Anju Mertia and Dhvit Jayen Mehta secured the top ranks in the flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). In the specialized Executive PGP, Aysha Shaba PP was named the first-rank holder, while Rajasilpi SP received the award for best all-round performance.
Research productivity remained a focal point, with PhD scholar Divya Dwivedi receiving the 2026 Institute Research Award for her work in Information Systems. “The emphasis on high-impact research is critical as Indian management schools seek to climb global rankings,” said an industry analyst familiar with the institute’s trajectory. “IIMB’s focus on digital public goods and private equity through its new centers suggests an attempt to bridge the gap between theoretical research and market application.”
The ceremony concluded with remarks from Malavika R. Harita of the IIMB Board of Governors, who highlighted the launch of the IIMB Development Foundation. The new arm is designed to spearhead fundraising and global collaborations, ensuring the institute remains competitive against international peers in the coming decade.