With only a
few admission rounds left before the January 2027 cohort fills, senior
professionals are encouraged to apply early
Admissions
for the 12th cohort of the IIT Bombay - Washington University in St. Louis
Executive MBA are entering their final stretch. Only a few rounds remain before
admissions close for this cohort, with the last round ending in November. Seats
are limited, so applying in an earlier round gives candidates a better chance
of securing a place in the January 2027 class.
The
admissions push comes at a milestone moment. With ten batches now graduated and
an eleventh cohort in progress, the program has built on a carefully planned
partnership between two leading institutions to become one of the most
distinctive executive education offerings in Asia.
A
decade of cohorts, one unique degree
The program
is a joint venture between IIT Bombay's Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management
and Washington University's Olin Business School. From the start, its central
promise has been rare: it is the only Executive MBA program in the world that
confers a joint degree from both an Indian and an American university. Its
design follows a proven model, mirroring the content and structure of
Washington University's internationally recognized sister programs in the
United States and China.
The program
marked its tenth year in January 2025. Batch 10, launched on January 15, 2025,
included senior managers, CEOs, entrepreneurs and directors from organisations
such as Oracle India, Aditya Birla Group, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank,
Godrej Industries, Apple India, Adani and TCS, with an average of 17 years of
work experience across more than 15 industries. A year later, the 11th cohort
was launched at the IIT Bombay campus on January 14, 2026. Its members come
from technology, manufacturing, finance, consulting, healthcare, energy and
consumer businesses, and they also average 17 years of professional experience.
Rising
in the global rankings
The program
has climbed steadily in international rankings. In the QS Executive MBA
Rankings for joint programmes, it rose from 24th in 2022 to 22nd in 2023, 18th
in 2024 and 16th globally in 2025. Leadership has set a higher target. At the
Batch 11 launch, Prof. Dinesh Sharma said the program's next leap is to enter
the global top five.
Alumni
who lead
A decade of
graduates has built a strong alumni community. Graduates now hold senior roles
across industries and geographies, from the C-suite of multinational
corporations to leadership positions in entrepreneurial ventures. The program's
own leadership is part of that story: Gopal Shukla, an alumnus of the IIT
Bombay-WashU EMBA, serves as CEO of the IIT Bombay-WashU Joint Venture.
Graduates
also join a network that spans both universities. The program offers alumni
status and privileges of both universities, and its career services team
provides one-on-one career coaching as a lifetime benefit for alumni.
Built
for working leaders
The
18-month program fits around demanding careers. Classes take place at the IIT
Bombay campus in Mumbai in four-day residential sessions each month, from
Thursday to Sunday. The international component includes residencies in
Washington, D.C. and St. Louis, with sessions at the Brookings Institution. The
curriculum covers leadership, strategy, finance, marketing and operations, and
participants also receive one-on-one leadership coaching.
“Our aim is
to give every participant a strong learning experience during these 18 months,”
said Gopal Shukla, CEO
of the IIT Bombay - WashU Joint Venture. “I believe this program will help
them grow personally and professionally, build confidence and become better
prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Apply
before seats fill
The program
is designed for CEOs, directors, business heads, entrepreneurs and senior
managers who want to grow as leaders while continuing to work. With only a few
rounds left and limited seats in Cohort 12, candidates are encouraged to apply
in Round 4 rather than wait for the final round.
Apply by
October 18, 2026
If you are
ready to build the strategic and leadership depth for your next role or
venture, Cohort 12 is still open. Admissions follow the program's selection
process.
To learn more or apply, visit https://iitb-wustl.org/executive-mba/ or write to admissions@iitb-wustl.org.