The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) on Aug 3 welcomed the second cohort of its pioneering four-year Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) (Honours with Research) programme. The inaugural ceremony of the new batch was held at the Institute’s Urban Learning Centre at Lulu Twin Towers, Kalamassery, Kochi, with renowned marketer, bestselling author and former Brand Custodian at Tata Sons, Mr. Harish Bhat, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was presided over by Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode.
Continuing the Institute’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, the second BMS cohort has registered 120 students, including 71 women (59%) and 49 men (41%), making it another gender-diverse batch of the youngest entrants to IIM Kozhikode. The cohort represents 18 States and Union Territories, reflecting the programme’s growing national appeal. Maharashtra accounts for the largest representation with 19 students, followed by Telangana (18), Kerala (12), Tamil Nadu (11) and Madhya Pradesh (11).
The academic profile of the incoming class is equally diverse, with 56% of students coming from Commerce, 39% from Science, and the remaining from Arts and other streams, underscoring the programme’s multidisciplinary character.
Addressing the students, Mr. Harish Bhat, Former Brand Custodian at Tata Sons and bestselling author, encouraged the young cohort to embrace lifelong learning and purposeful leadership. “India is emerging as one of the world’s most important engines of growth, and the coming decades will belong to those who remain curious, resilient and willing to learn continuously. Enjoy the journey of learning, do not fear failure, because every setback carries a lesson that success alone cannot teach. Pursue excellence rather than immediate success, and you will discover opportunities to create meaningful impact—not only for yourselves, but for society and the nation.”
Welcoming the incoming cohort, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, said, ” The BMS programme is a game-changer—not only for IIM Kozhikode but for Indian higher education—because it introduces management thinking to young minds at the right stage of their intellectual journey, empowering them with interdisciplinary perspectives and preparing leaders who are globally competent while remaining deeply rooted in societal values.”
Designed in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), the four-year, eight-semester programme offers a Major in Management along with stackable Minors in areas including Economics and Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Finance and Big Data, Liberal Studies and other emerging disciplines. Students will also benefit from international exchange opportunities, research projects, industry internships and career support through IIM Kozhikode’s Corporate Access Readiness and Engagement (CARE) initiative.
