PGP PRO
Eligibility and Requirements
Who Are We Looking For
The PGP PRO programme seeks accomplished mid-career professionals poised for strategic leadership roles. We build diverse cohorts of experienced individuals united by these essential qualities:
Strategic Thinking: We seek professionals who demonstrate analytical rigour and solve complex business challenges with holistic, data-driven approaches.
Functional Expertise: We value candidates with proven domain competence and 5+ years' experience who drive substantial impact in their organisations.
Leadership Potential: We look for individuals who inspire teams, communicate effectively, and navigate change—professionals ready to lead transformative initiatives.
Collaborative Growth Mindset : We seek curious, open-minded individuals eager to contribute diverse perspectives whilst embracing new ideas that challenge established thinking.
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification at the time of application submission.
- 5+ years of full-time work experience after a bachelor’s degree with strong functional competence and industry expertise.
Round 1 Application Deadline:
November 09, 2025
Admissions Process
The PGP PRO admissions process identifies accomplished mid-career professionals poised for strategic leadership through comprehensive evaluation of your analytical capabilities, professional achievements, and transformative potential. You will join dynamic professionals with 5+ years of experience who will both contribute to and flourish within our diverse cohort, driving organisational impact whilst advancing their careers.
Below, you will discover our structured evaluation stages. As you progress, you will receive email notifications and can track your application progress on the portal. We eagerly anticipate learning about your professional journey and perspectives that will enrich our dynamic learning community.
| Stage 1: Application Submission | Assemble the key application components and submit your complete application along with all required supporting documentation online on the admissions portal before the application deadlines. The section on “Key Application Components” provides details on what you need to prepare to submit as part of your application. |
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Stage 2: |
As a next step, we will verify the completeness and accuracy of your application within 20 days of submission. We will check whether all necessary supporting documents, such as proof of identity, academic certificates and transcripts, professional documents, amongst others, have been submitted. We will also verify the contents of your application vis-à-vis the supporting documents. In case of any missing document or mismatch of information, we will communicate the same to you, and you will have 3 days to address any insufficiency. Once the verification is complete, your application will be marked as ‘Verified’ in the application portal. Only verified applications proceed to further evaluation. |
| Stage 3: Interview Shortlist |
All ‘Verified’ applications undergo a structured review of academics, relevant test scores, professional experience, extracurricular activities, essays, awards and recognitions, and recommendations. We follow a holistic evaluation approach, wherein all aspects of your profile are given due weightage to arrive at a final profile score. This enables the candidates to play to their strengths and balance their profiles across various parameters. The holistic selection process ensures the selection of a diverse cohort with a wide range of test scores. |
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Stage 4: |
After your application has been verified, you may be invited to an interview. Interviews last around 30 minutes and are conducted by a panel comprising ISB faculty and alumni. On the interview date, before meeting the panel, applicants will undergo 'On-Spot essays' - a written assessment which may comprise one or two essays. As part of your application, you can indicate your preferred interview location from a list typically including Tier-1 cities. You may choose between virtual (Zoom) or in-person interview. If shortlisted, you will receive an email notification 3-7 days prior to your scheduled interview. The Admissions Office decides your interview location, considering your preference and availability. |
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Stage 5: |
Following interview feedback, applications undergo a comprehensive evaluation before presentation to the Admissions Committee, comprising faculty and alumni, who decide on the final offers. |
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Stage 6: |
Candidates are informed of the final decisions via email according to the published timeline for their respective application rounds. |
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Stage 7: |
Shortlisted applicants may be invited for scholarship interviews based on multiple criteria. Following these interviews, the Scholarship Committee conducts a thorough review, and the decision is communicated to the applicants. |
Applicants to the PGP PRO must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. Three-year undergraduate programmes are common in the Indian education system and are acceptable. We require transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions you have attended (full- or part-time). You may initially submit unofficial transcripts; however, we will request official documentation for verification purposes should you receive an offer of admission to ISB.
When evaluating your academic record, our Admissions Committee considers your institution, field of study, and performance trajectory, while accounting for diverse grading systems across diverse universities. While there is no minimum percentage or CGPA requirement, successful candidates typically demonstrate strong academic capacity. Your undergraduate performance, however, represents just one dimension of our holistic evaluation process.
Share your comprehensive work experience by listing all roles and employers. For multiple positions within the same company, you can group them together or separate them by teams and projects. For each role, provide your designation, employment type and sub-type, compensation, duration, industry, and function. Mark your current employment status if you are still working and include any secondary projects or part-time roles alongside your primary positions. Whether you've worked across different industries or advanced within one organisation, this section captures the breadth and depth of your professional journey. Use your essays and interviews to provide additional context about specific experiences that shaped your career journey.
Note:
The PGP PRO programme is designed to best serve professionals who have already built a foundation in their careers. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years full-time work experience. Participants have an average of 10 years of work experience.
Share awards or recognitions from any stage of your life, explaining their context and significance. Choose awards with personal or professional meaning—don't just list them but share why they matter and what they reveal about your values and journey.
Include professional awards, academic recognitions, extracurricular achievements, patents, national awards, and publications in prominent journals. We seek key milestones, transformative achievements, and community contributions that shaped your evolution.
Thoughtful reflection helps us understand what drives you beyond your resume. It's not about quantity—it's about meaningful reflection offering a clearer picture of who you are.
Your essays reveal the deeper dimensions of your journey beyond metrics and milestones. They showcase what motivates you, the experiences that shaped your leadership approach, and your unique perspectives that will enrich ISB's learning community.
Essay 1 (Mandatory, 400 words): What motivates you to do an EMBA at this stage of your career, and how will PGP PRO and ISB enable you to achieve your professional and personal goals?
Essay 2 (Mandatory, 400 words): Contemplate situations that have shaped your personal journey. Present what these situations have taught you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how they have shaped your personal and professional journey.
Essay 3 (Optional, 300 words): Use this space to highlight anything you wish to bring to the notice of the admissions committee, including work and non-work-related awards & achievements, which could not be highlighted in any other part of the application.
Write with clarity and authenticity. Reflect intentionally, speak from experience, and ensure your essays couldn't describe anyone else.
Your application requires two professional recommendations submitted online by your chosen round's deadline. These provide a 360-degree view of your leadership through the lens of someone who's worked closely with you.
Ideally, you must choose recommenders who understand your leadership style firsthand, have worked with you on high-stakes initiatives, and can speak to your influence and effectiveness. Former supervisors, senior colleagues, or external collaborators are excellent choices; academic references aren't necessary unless contextually relevant.
The strongest recommendations are specific and example-driven, providing evidence-based accounts of your impact focused on strategic and team outcomes. They showcase how you solve problems, lead teams, and elevate results through concrete examples. You can enter your recommender's details in the portal. ISB will email them a secure link to complete and submit the form directly.
Round 1 Application Deadline:
November 09, 2025
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
Academic Accolades: A strong academic foundation, evidenced by outstanding undergraduate performance, the ability to articulate insights with clarity in the interview, and a deep motivation to engage, contribute, and thrive in a competitive learning environment.
Leadership Goals: Ideal candidates demonstrate leadership potential, managerial competence, and the vision to inspire and lead in a dynamic business landscape.
Practical Learning Orientation: Successful applicants have an insatiable appetite for knowledge and skill mastery that can translate into impactful action.
Professional Expertise and Leadership: Functional competence and industry expertise within your role, demonstrated leadership traits and proven managerial competence.