Introduction
The concept of gender diversity is no longer a trendy term but a need-to-have. To the student of management, diversity will inevitably result in improved teamwork, a more extensive view of the world, and in the end, a better leader. The future of gender inclusivity in business betterment in India is undergoing a form of change through programmes like the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) that most IIMs provide.
IIM IPM Admission Structure Overview
The IPM is a dual-degree program that takes five years to complete and includes an undergraduate and a postgraduate business education and results in an MBA. It was first launched in IIM Indore in 2011, and along with it is IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Jammu and IIM Bodh Gaya.
It is a course aimed directly at the first year students after Class 12- and it is a golden opportunity to come in contact with the global and excellent management course.
History of Gender Imbalance
In the past, the dominance of male students in the IIM classes and IPM cohorts as a whole was the norm. In the case of the 2013 IPM batch in IIM Indore, there were only approximately 14 per cent female students. Many girls could not even imagine having such a possibility due to some societal stereotypes, ignorance and the idea of outreach being urban-centric.
Recent Trends in Gender Diversity
But the wind of change is blowing. Due to focused policies and increased awareness, the situation is gradually moving towards better gender ratios.
Latest Gender Data Across IIM IPMs
| IIM | Batch | Total Students | Female Students | % Female |
| IIM Indore | 2025 | 87 | 25 | 28.7% |
| IIM Indore | 2022–27 | 156 | ~52 | 33% |
| IIM Rohtak | 2023–28 | 453 | 434 | 95.8% |
| IIM Jammu | 2023 | ~60 | ~24 | ~40% |
Diversity-Driven Admission Policies
Bonus Points and Weightage
To make classrooms more balanced, many IIMs are giving additional points to female and non-binary candidates.
Detailed Table of Gender Weightage
| IIM | Gender Diversity Weightage | Notes |
| IIM Rohtak | 20% (incl. academic + gender diversity) | Major contributor to female majority |
| IIM Indore | ~6% | Applied in final selection round |
| IIM Ranchi | 5% bonus | Explicit bonus for girls |
| IIM Jammu | 10% | Clearly outlined in policy |
The Process of Holistic Assessment
It is not merely about scores in admissions. The IIMs are keen on 360-degree appraisal:
IPMAT: Quant + Verbal ability + Logical reasoning
Personal Interview: Communication and Spoken Thought On a personal note, Letters and thought purity
Academic History: Class 10 and 12 results
Such a strategy is useful to female students with different academic and geographic backgrounds.
Expansion and Inclusion Activities
The IIMs such as Indore and Rohtak are investing in awareness as well:
- School student free webinars
- Mock tests and open-house sessions
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 outreach Outreach (Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities)
It is through those initiatives that many girls, especially those of the small towns are encouraged to shoot high.
Case Study: IIM Rohtak’s Gender Ratio Surge
And the elephant in the room is the 95.8 percent female batch at IIM Rohtak. It is something impressive, yet, has triggered controversies. Such imbalance has its own problems, although the intention might have been noble, but it also comes with some issues like fear of reverse imbalance. However, it has ensured that gender diversity is within the national focus level- and that is already a win.
Comparison with MBA Gender Diversity
The trend isn’t isolated to IPM. Traditional MBA programs are catching up too:
| IIM | Program | % Female |
| IIM Kozhikode | MBA (2024–26) | 59.1% |
| IIM Bangalore | MBA | 40% |
| IIM Kashipur | MBA | 42% |
IPM, however, leads the way with some of the most proactive gender inclusion efforts.
Public Feedback and Challenges
While most responses are positive, some critics raise valid points:
- Merit vs Diversity: Are scores being compromised?
- Transparency: How are bonus points exactly calculated?
- Sustainability: Will this trend continue without lowering standards?
These are fields in which IIMs can work on making communications and the clarity of policy better.
The future of Gender Diversity in IPM
The traveling has already started, and the important thing is to be consistent. In the future, it will be proposed to work on:
- Gender representation fairness
- Sustenance of administration consciousness in the countryside
- Review of diversity policies on frequency basis
A careful implementation of practices can make the gender balance an enduring ease of the prime management courses of India.
Conclusion
An increase in the proportion of females in the admission of IIM IPM is an event that has changed the character of Indian higher education. Gender gap is being bridged through structured policies of admission, all-inclusive assessment techniques/approaches as well as outreach at grassroots. The IPM journey demonstrates that a radical change can take place when institutions operate with purpose. It is not only the issue of numbers of girls in the classroom setting, it is the making of a more open future of leadership.
FAQs
- What is special about gender diversity in IIM IPM admission?
Due to providing a balanced, inclusive learning process, which enlarges discussions and makes students ready to work in various working environments.
- Which is the IIM that has the largest number of females in IPM?
The IIM Rohtak has the maximum percentage, in 2023, with 95.8 percent female students.
- What are gender bonus points in IPM admission?
Various IIMs give bonus marks in final selection in order to attract diversity of 5, 20 percent etc.
- Do these policies endanger merit?
No. The policies are designed in such a way that they encourage diversity but they do not compromise academic quality.
- Are these changes to be permanent?
Why, yes but only if the IIMs stick to the outreach programs, policy-making, and sensitization, then gender diversity can be the new norm.
