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What were you doing during your final or pre-final year of graduation? We wouldn’t be surprised if applying to ISB’s esteemed Young Leaders Program hadn’t crossed your mind—it’s practically the busiest year of college!

Since you can only apply to ISB’s YLP while in college and to the PGP after gaining two years of work experience, there was a need for a third program. Finally, ISB has launched its Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders (PGP YL), which fresh graduates with 0-2 years of experience can apply to for a high-impact management career. In this blog, we’ll tell you all about it. Let’s go!

In this blog:

  1. What is the PGP YL Program?
  2. Should you consider ISB’s PGP YL?
  3. Who Should Apply?
  4. ISB PGP YL Vs ISB PGP
  5. ISB PGP YL Eligibility and Admissions Process
  6. ISB PGP YL Application Deadlines and Academic Calendar
  7. ISB PGP YL Scholarships and Financial Support
  8. ISB PGP YL Fee Structure
  9. Career Advancement

What is the PGP YL Program?

The PGP YL is a 20-month, full-time, residential management programme based at ISB’s Hyderabad campus. It’s equivalent to an MBA and caters to high-potential fresh graduates and professionals with up to two years of experience. This programme blends analytical foundations, leadership development, and a deep understanding of data-driven decision-making to equip students for the complex business environments of the future.

Should you consider ISB’s PGP YL?

If you are looking for early entry into your management career, it makes sense to consider ISB’s PGP YL program. Just like ISB’s coveted PGP, PGP YL will also be considered equivalent to an MBA degree. For context, ISB’s previous Young Leaders Program or YLP offered an average package of INR 34.21 LPA.

It also stands out by integrating business management with technology, data, and analytics. And here are some program features that we are genuinely excited about:

  • iDEAS (Innovation through Design Exploration and Actionable Solutions): A lab-based module that fosters problem-solving through customer-centric approaches.
  • PiVOT (Platform for Innovation and Venture-Oriented Thinking): A transformative experience where students develop entrepreneurial skills and create business plans for real-world implementation​(PGP-YL Brochure 2024-25).

To sum up, the PGP YL program offers early access to promising opportunities for experiential learning, internships, a robust curriculum, and career support from a tier-1 institution.

Insider Scoop on ISB's Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders (PGPYL) - Infog

Who Should Apply?

The PGP YL is designed for fresh graduates and early-career professionals with 0-24 months of work experience. As per the program, ISB seeks candidates who demonstrate:

  • Strong academic and extracurricular achievements.
  • Creative problem-solving and the ability to bring fresh perspectives.
  • Early signs of leadership potential and the ability to inspire and influence others.
  • A growth mindset with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship​

Need more insight into ISB’s PGP YL program? Talk to us!

ISB’s PGP YL Vs PGP

Now that ISB has replaced its Harvard 2+2 MBA equivalent with PGP YL, we only need a comparison between ISB PGPYL and ISB PGP. And to make your life a little easier, we have done that for you!

Criteria ISB PGPYL ISB PGP
Eligibility 0 to 2 years of work experience 2+ years of professional experience
Program Duration 20 months 12 months
Focus Areas Foundational business knowledge, experiential learning, mandatory internship Advanced management concepts, leadership development
Experiential Learning Industry projects, Innovation Lab, Business Design Lab, summer internship Action Learning Projects (ALP), international exchange opportunities
Cost ₹29 lakh (approx.) ₹40 lakh (approx.)
Campus Location Hyderabad Hyderabad and Mohali

ISB PGP YL: Eligibility and Admissions Process

ISB PGP YL Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
  • Test Scores: Valid GMAT, GRE (test centre-based), or CAT scores.
  • Work Experience: 0-24 months of work experience by June 15 of the year you intend to join.
  • Language Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS is required if your medium of instruction was not English.

ISB PGP YL Selection Process:

  1. Application Review: ISB assesses candidates based on academic performance, achievements, essays, and test scores.
  2. Interview Stage: Shortlisted candidates will undergo interviews with ISB faculty, alumni, and senior industry professionals(PGP-YL Brochure 2024-25).

ISB PGP YL: Application Deadlines and Academic Calendar

Key Dates to Remember:

  • Applications Open: October 2, 2024
  • Application Deadline: December 21, 2024

The academic calendar is structured to provide a balance of learning, hands-on experience, and career development:

  • Year 1: Begins with orientation and coursework. In the summer, students participate in a mandatory internship to gain real-world experience.
  • Year 2: Builds on the foundation laid in the first year, with a focus on electives, practical application, and final placements.

This structured timeline ensures that students gain theoretical knowledge and apply it in real business environments, positioning them for success after graduation.

ISB PGP YL: Scholarships and Financial Support

To ensure access for all deserving candidates, ISB offers several scholarship opportunities:

  • Merit-Based Scholarships: Up to 100% tuition waivers for top performers in the admissions process.
  • Need-Cum-Merit Scholarships: For students demonstrating both financial need and academic excellence.
  • ISB Develop India Scholarship: This scholarship is for candidates committed to contributing to India’s development​.

About 40-50% of the class is expected to receive some form of scholarship, and ISB also partners with major banks to offer collateral-free education loans , and so is Jamboree!

ISB PGP YL: Fee Structure

The total fee for the PGP YL programme (2025-27) is structured as follows:

  • Programme Fee: ₹21,65,000 + 18% GST
  • Accommodation Fee: ₹3,95,000
  • Other Components:
    • Refundable Security Deposit: ₹20,000
    • Optional Alumni Association Membership: ₹25,000 + 18% GST

The fee covers tuition, course materials, on-campus accommodation, and access to ISB’s alumni network. ISB also offers collateral-free loans in partnership with public and private sector banks.

ISB PGP YL: Career Advancement

The Career and Professional Development track is designed to empower students with the skills necessary to navigate complex career landscapes. Through mandatory summer internships at the end of Year 1, students gain practical, hands-on experience. This is followed by intensive final placements in Year 2, supported by ISB’s dedicated Career Advancement Services (CAS) team.

Key Aspects:

  • Exploration and Foundation: Build a foundation through understanding diverse industries and roles.
  • Excelling at Workplace: Post-internship coaching and workshops help students sharpen their workplace skills.
  • Career Mastery: Deep industry knowledge prepares students for accelerated career paths.

Need more insight into ISB’s PGP YL program? Talk to us!

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