Business schools in India have gained worldwide recognition over the years for their excellent academic framework, elite corporate placements, and unmatched peer-to-peer learning. However, there is a need for a gender-balanced batch. It has been observed that the ratio of male to female candidates in IIMs is way lower. While male candidates continue to dominate, female candidates’ representation is lower. To overcome this imbalance, IIMs have introduced measures to make the admission process inclusive and representative of India’s diverse talent pool. These initiatives seek to encourage greater participation from female candidates while maintaining the merit-based nature of admissions.
Among these IIMs is the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) by IIM Indore and IIM Rohtak. These are 5-year dual-degree management programs. Through the IPM, IIMs have tried to improve the gender diversity within the classrooms, and this is why they have introduced policies such as bonus points for female candidates, supernumerary seats, and diversity weightage during the final selection process.
Let us dive deep to understand about the chances of selection of female students in IIM IPM admission to promote gender diversity in classrooms.
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About IIM IPM Admission
The IPM program is offered by IIM Indore (since 2011) and IIM Rohtak (since 2019). Through the IPM test, one can pursue a 5-year dual-degree management program (BBA + MBA). The IPM is designed to nurture business management skills right after completing the schooling. This structure offers a good career to several candidates, especially girls. IIMs evaluate candidates based on multiple factors to admit them. Some of them are listed below:
- IPMAT/JIPMAT scores
- Class 10 marks
- Class 12 marks
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Written Ability Test (if applicable)
- Diversity factors
What Is Gender Diversity in IIM Admissions?
Gender diversity refers to efforts made by the IIMs so that there is a balance of male and female candidates within a batch. A gender-balanced batch helps to have different perspectives, better collaboration and a rich learning experience. Hence, to achieve this, IIMs have incorporated gender diversity in the admission process.
The aim is to ensure that every talent gets an opportunity to make a mark in the business world. Due to this approach, female students receive additional consideration in the selection process at certain stages of admission.
Gender diversity initiatives influence IPM admissions in the following ways:
- Additional weightage during final merit calculation.
- Better representation of female candidates in interview shortlists.
- Efforts to create balanced classroom demographics.
- Encouragement for more female students to pursue management education at an early stage.
Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores
Not all colleges accept IPMAT to offer integrated programs. Only the following given colleges accept and take admission to integrated MBA programs.
| IPMAT College | Exams Accepted |
| IIM Indore | IPMAT Indore |
| IIM Rohtak | IPMAT Rohtak |
| IIFT Kakinada | IPMAT Indore |
| IIM Ranchi | IPMAT Indore |
| IIM Jammu | JIPMAT |
| IIM Bodhgaya | JIPMAT |
| NIRMA University | IPMAT Indore |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak, JIPMAT |
| TAPMI Manipal | IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak, JIPMAT |
| NICMAR University | IPMAT Indore |
How IIM IPM Admission Policies Are Promoting Gender Diversity?
Several IIMs and IPM admission policies are aimed to create a diverse and inclusive classroom. The initiatives that have been undertaken to promote gender diversity are as follows:
Gender Diversity Weightage in Final Selection
Some of the IIMs award additional points to female candidates as a part of their composite score calculator process. .
For example, IIM Rohtak’s admission policy allocates a dedicated component for gender diversity, ensuring better representation of women in its IPM batches. Check the table below for more details:
| IIM | Gender Diversity Benefit | Details |
| IIM Rohtak | 20% of composite score | Includes academic and gender diversity components. |
| IIM Indore | Approximately 6% of composite score | Applied during final merit list preparation. |
| IIM Ranchi | 5% bonus in composite score | Additional points awarded to female candidates. |
| IIM Jammu | 10% of composite score | Gender diversity included in final admission formula. |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | Supernumerary seats | Additional seats for girls beyond the regular intake. |
Holistic Evaluation Beyond Entrance Scores
Another key shift in IPM admissions is the adoption of a holistic assessment process. The admission is based not only on the IPMAT scores, but also past record performances in academics. The selection process includes the following:
- IPMAT (Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test) scores
- Personal Interview (PI): Evaluates communication skills, confidence, general awareness, and analytical thinking.
- Performance in academics in Classes 10th and 12th
Recent Trends in Gender Diversity in IIM IPM Admissions
Due to fair policies and increased awareness, the gender gap in IIMs has improved to a considerable extent. With the inclusion of gender diversity in IIM IPM, the percentage of female candidates has increased.
- In 2023-28 batch, IIM Rohtak witnessed one of the highest female representations of 95%
- IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Jammu have shown 40% female participation in IPM.
- IIM IPM Bodh Gaya batch of 2024–29 follows a policy where 70% of seats are gender-neutral, thereby promoting balanced competition and diversity.
- IIM Indore has a lower female representation that ranges between 28% and 33% in recent batches.
The growing presence of female students across IPM programs reflects IIMs’ broader focus on gender diversity and inclusive management education. The table below gives a better presentation at understanding the gender gap.
| IIM & Batch | Total Intake/Seats | Female Students | Male Students | Female Representation |
| IIM Indore (2025 IPM Batch) | 87 | 25 | 62 | 28.7% |
| IIM Bodh Gaya (2024–29 IPM Batch) | ~120 | Not Specified | Not Specified | 70% seats are Gender-Neutral |
| IIM Indore (2022–27 IPM Batch) | 156 | ~51 | ~105 | 33% |
| IIM Rohtak (2023–28 IPM Batch) | 453 | 434 | 19 | 95.8% |
| IIM Bodh Gaya (2023 IPM Cohort) | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available | Above 40% |
| IIM Jammu (2023 IPM Cohort) | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available | Above 40% |
Why Are More Women Getting Admitted to IIMs through IPM?
Many IIMs have introduced measures so that there is equality among the students. Historically speaking, management education in India has often seen lower participation from the women’s side. However, to overcome this imbalance, many of the institutions have introduced measures that will encourage more participation. Some of the measures adopted by IIM IPM is given below:
- Gender diversity points in final selection.
- Supernumerary seats for female candidates.
- Gender-neutral and diversity-focused admission policies.
- Outreach initiatives to encourage more women to pursue management education.
Conclusion
Over the years, the representation of female candidates through IIM IPM has shown a positive result. Though there is inclusion of diversity to create a more balanced and inclusive classroom, the admission of candidates is done solely on merit basis. A good IPMAT score with academic performance still remains important for securing a seat.
The gender diversity policies have shown positive results at institutions such as IIM Rohtak, IIM Bodh Gaya, and IIM Jammu. These institutions have shown a significant increase in female participation for IIM IPM programs.
