PGP YL

Admissions Criteria

The PGP YL is designed for individuals who have demonstrated excellence in academics and beyond, showing a clear intent to become changemakers of the future. We strive to curate a dynamic cohort that brings together varied backgrounds and unique outlooks, enriching peer learning and classroom dialogue. Amidst this diversity, we look for a shared set of qualities:

Achievement-orientation

We seek individuals with a relentless drive to excel, demonstrated in their academic performance or notable achievements in extra-curriculars, community initiatives or professional work.

Lateral Thinking

We value curious and creative minds who approach problems from new angles, embrace diverse perspectives, and demonstrate a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

Leadership Mindset

We look for early signs of leadership potential through critical thinking, effective communication, engagement with the world around you, and the ability to inspire others.

Innovative and Entrepreneurial Spirit

We appreciate individuals who embrace uncertainty, act with initiative, and apply a growth mindset to turn ideas into impact and challenges into opportunities.

 

Admissions Process

The PGP YL admissions process evaluates applications through a comprehensive assessment that weighs academic credentials, leadership potential, and personal attributes on a pre-defined scale. The structured evaluation examines each candidate's unique strengths and alignment with the programme values to identify individuals with admirable qualifications and the authentic character necessary to thrive during and after the programme.

Application Components

Your PGP YL online application comprises six essential sections designed to capture your distinctive journey systematically:

• Academic Requirements: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline. Details on academic accomplishments from Class XII through graduation, post-graduation (if applicable), and relevant certifications.
• Test Score Requirements: Valid GMAT or GRE scores (only test-centre scores accepted) or CAT scores. GMAT/GRE scores must be less than five years old from the application deadline. Only CAT 2025 scores are accepted for PGP-YL Co 2026-28. Please refer to the CAT website for registration details. A valid TOEFL/IELTS score is mandatory if undergraduate instruction was not in English.
• Work Experience: A maximum of 24 months of work experience as of June 15 of the joining year. Candidates with more experience should explore other PGP programmes.
• Awards and Activities: Significant milestones, achievements, and community/societal contributions that have meaningfully shaped who you are today.
• Essays: Three mandatory essays on your leadership abilities, diversity of thoughts and unique ideas or perspectives, and career aspirations.
• Recommendation: Select a recommender who can provide meaningful insights about your educational or professional path, prioritising quality of perspective over seniority.

Evaluation Criteria

Our assessment focuses on three key parameters:

1. Academic Credentials: We evaluate your complete academic journey to gauge programme readiness. This extends beyond grades and test scores to consider the breadth and depth of your educational experiences and intellectual capabilities.
2. Leadership Potential: We seek emerging talent who have demonstrated leadership potential through exceptional academic initiatives, cross-functional project leadership, entrepreneurial ventures, or community transformation efforts—individuals whose accomplishments transcend traditional metrics and reveal an ability to mobilise resources, influence stakeholders, and drive measurable outcomes even in the early stages of their professional journey.
3. Personal Attributes: We value candidates who blend creativity with entrepreneurial execution, contribute diverse perspectives, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, and engage actively in communities beyond work and academics. This diversity of background, thought, and experience ensures a vibrant and enriching learning environment.

Application Stages

PGP YL admissions are structured across clearly defined stages, ensuring a transparent experience for prospective candidates:

Stage	Description
Stage 1: Application Submission	Fill out the complete online application with all required supporting documentation and submit it for the next stage of evaluation. After application submission, students who have family income, below INR 18 lacs ($21,000) per annum can apply for ‘need-based scholarships’ and submit the documents needed to assess eligibility.
Stage 2: Application Verification	Your application undergoes a completeness check within 20 days of submission. Any identified insufficiencies must be addressed within 3 days of notification. Once the verification is complete, the application will be marked as ‘Verified’ in the application portal. Only verified applications proceed for further evaluation.
Stage 3: Shortlisting for Interview	All ‘Verified’ applications undergo evaluation based on academics, relevant test scores, awards and achievements, essays and recommendations. Applications that meet the requirements of these evaluation parameters are shortlisted for interview.
Stage 4: Interview Process	Shortlisted applicants receive interview notifications 3-7 days prior to their scheduled interviews. Interviews are conducted by a panel comprising professors, ISB alumni, or senior staff members, usually at the applicant’s preferred location.
Stage 5:Admissions Committee Review	Following interview feedback, applications undergo a comprehensive evaluation before presentation to the Admissions Committee, comprising faculty and alumni, who make the decision on the final offers.
Stage 6: Decision Notification	Candidates are informed of the final decisions via email according to the published timeline for their respective application rounds.
Stage 7: Scholarship Decision	Shortlisted applicants may be invited for merit, and merit-cum-need based scholarship interviews. This information will be available in the offer letter. The selection process will include an essay and interview, both administered online. The Scholarship Committee conducts a final review and communicates decisions directly to the applicants.