The ISB PGP YL is a 20-month, full-time residential programme designed for fresh graduates and young professionals with up to 24 months of work experience. Develop strong business fundamentals, analytical decision-making, leadership capabilities, and a global perspective through immersive learning at ISB Hyderabad.
Duration
20 Months
Format
Full-Time, Residential
Work Experience
0–24 Months
Location
Hyderabad
Test Options
GMAT / GRE / CAT
The Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders is ISB's full-time management programme for ambitious young professionals and fresh graduates who want to build their careers with a strong foundation in business, technology, analytics, and leadership.
The programme combines rigorous management education with experiential learning, global exposure, career development, and opportunities to apply classroom concepts to real business situations. Rather than waiting years to build leadership capabilities, PGP YL is designed to help young professionals develop the skills to lead with impact from the beginning of their careers.
PGP YL can be a strong fit if you are looking to:
Launch Your Career
Build a strong foundation across business functions, analytical thinking, technology, and decision-making.
Accelerate Your Career
Develop the capabilities required to take on meaningful responsibilities early in your professional journey.
Explore Different Career Paths
Gain exposure to industries, functions, and roles before committing to a long-term career direction.
Build Leadership Capabilities
Develop the ability to influence, collaborate, solve complex problems, and lead without relying solely on formal authority.
Turn Ideas Into Action
Use experiential learning, projects, internships, and business applications to translate classroom knowledge into practical skills.
Develop a Global Perspective
Learn alongside a diverse peer group and gain opportunities for international exchange with partner institutions.
Not sure if you meet the ISB PGP YL criteria? Get a free 1-on-1 profile assessment with an alumnus
Evaluate My ProfileMore Than a Management Programme. A Foundation for Leadership.
Future-Ready Business Education
Build a strong foundation in business fundamentals while learning how technology, data, and analytics are transforming modern organisations.
Early Leadership Development
Develop leadership capabilities designed to help you create impact early in your professional journey.
Experiential Learning
Move beyond classroom theory through simulations, projects, Business in Action, internships, and practical applications.
Global Exposure
PGP YL provides international exchange opportunities through a network of 15+ partner institutions.
World-Class Faculty
Learn from ISB's academic community of resident and visiting faculty with expertise across business disciplines.
Powerful Alumni Network
Become part of the wider ISB PGP-Suite network of 21,800+ alumni, including entrepreneurs and CXO-level leaders.
Beyond Grades. Beyond Test Scores. ISB evaluates PGP YL applicants holistically, looking at academic credentials, leadership potential, achievements, essays, recommendations, and personal attributes.
Your academic record, test score, achievements, essays, recommendations and interview are considered together to understand your potential to learn, lead and contribute at ISB.
Your Profile Is Evaluated Across
Achievement Orientation
Evidence of excellence through academics, extracurricular activities, community initiatives, internships, or professional experiences.
Lateral Thinking
Curiosity, creativity, openness to different perspectives, and the ability to approach problems from new angles.
Leadership Potential
Early evidence of taking initiative, influencing others, leading projects, entrepreneurial activity, or creating meaningful change.
Intellectual Curiosity
A willingness to learn, question assumptions, explore ideas, and engage deeply with complex problems.
Diverse Perspectives
Experiences and viewpoints that can enrich classroom discussions and contribute to a vibrant peer-learning environment.
Impact Orientation
A demonstrated desire to create meaningful outcomes within organisations, communities, or society.
To apply for the ISB PGP YL, applicants must meet the following basic eligibility requirements.
Academic
Work Experience
Tests
English Proficiency
Everything you need to know about ISB's test requirements and score expectations.
| Test Requirement | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Accepted Tests | GMAT, GRE or CAT |
| Minimum Score | No official minimum |
| Test Format | Test-centre-based scores required |
| Score Validity | Up to 5 years from the application deadline, subject to the application cycle |
Class of 2027 - Test Score Reference
| Metric | GRE | GMAT Classic | GMAT Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score Range | 309-337 | 640-780 | 575-795 |
| Average | 325 | 720 | 672 |
| Median | 325 | 723 | 675 |
Important: These are class score ranges and reference points, not admission cutoffs.
Have a lower score or non-traditional background?
Discover how to offset test scores with strategic profile positioning.
A quick overview of the key components that shape your ISB PGP YL application.
Application Components
| Component | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Academic Profile | Undergraduate education, institutions, transcripts & academic journey |
| Test Score | GMAT, GRE or CAT |
| Achievements | Academic, extracurricular, entrepreneurial, community & professional accomplishments |
| Essays | Leadership, diversity of thought & future impact |
| Recommendations | Perspectives from people who know your capabilities |
| Supporting Documents | Academic, identity and other required documentation |
| Interview | Leadership potential, thinking, personality and aspirations |
Your essays are an opportunity to reflect, connect the dots, and show who you are beyond grades and achievements.
These three mandatory essays help the Admissions Committee understand your leadership potential, unique perspective, and purpose through your authentic voice.
Leadership
Mandatory · 400 words
Describe a specific personal situation in which you assumed a leadership role without formal authority. How did you motivate and influence others during this experience? What challenges did you encounter, and what insights did you gain about your leadership abilities as a result of this experience?
Diversity in Thought
Mandatory · 400 words
What unique experiences and perspectives do you bring to your class? How do you intend to contribute to the diversity of thought and ideas within the programme? Please provide specific examples to illustrate your points.
Post-Programme Plan & Impact
Mandatory · 250 words
What impact do you aim to create after completing the PGP YL programme? Please share your medium- to long-term career plans, including any specific challenges you anticipate facing along the way.
Unsure how to frame your career goals or leadership story?
Work 1-on-1 with an ISB alumni mentor.
The ISB admissions journey goes beyond submitting an application. Your profile is reviewed holistically - from your academic and professional journey to your essays, achievements, recommendations, and interview performance.
Application Submission
Complete the online application and submit the required supporting documents.
Application Verification
ISB verifies the completeness and accuracy of your application and supporting documentation.
Profile Evaluation
Verified applications are evaluated across academics, test scores, achievements, essays and recommendations.
Interview Shortlist
Candidates meeting the evaluation requirements are shortlisted for an interview.
Interview
Participate in an approximately 30-minute interview with faculty, alumni and senior staff, including two on-the-spot essays.
Committee Review
The application and interview feedback undergo comprehensive review by the Admissions Committee.
Decision
Receive your final admission decision according to the published application timeline.
Scholarship Decision
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for merit or merit-cum-need scholarship interviews.
From structuring your initial application to acing the alumni mock panel,
get personalized strategy at every stage
ISB PGP YL Interview: What Should You Prepare For?
The ISB interview isn't just about answering questions correctly. It's about whether you can think clearly, communicate authentically and explain your decisions.
Be ready to discuss:
Leadership
Your Experiences
Your Thinking
Your Career
Your Contribution
Plan your ISB PGP YL investment with a clear view of programme fees, financial support and funding options.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Fee | ₹25,60,000 + GST |
| Accommodation | Shared accommodation |
| Payment | Single instalment |
| Security Deposit | ₹20,000 refundable |
ISB offers a range of scholarships and financial-support options to help make PGP YL accessible to deserving candidates. Up to 40% of the class receives scholarship support.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded based on the overall strength of the selection process, including academic background, test scores, essays, recommendations, accomplishments and interview performance. Awards can provide up to 100% of tuition fees.
Need-Cum-Merit Scholarships
Financial support is available for candidates who demonstrate both academic merit and genuine financial need. Eligible applicants can receive a 100% tuition waiver for family income up to ₹8 lakh, or a 75% tuition waiver for family income above ₹8 lakh and up to ₹20 lakh, subject to the required criteria and documentation.
ISB Develop India Scholarship
Supports graduating students who are committed to contributing to India's growth and creating meaningful impact through their careers.
Donor-Supported Scholarships
ISB also offers scholarships supported by organisations and donors, including the Bharti Airtel Foundation, DSP, MPS Limited, Regal Rexnord, Taparia Family, J.C. Flowers ARC and Adani Group. Eligibility, award amounts and the number of recipients vary by scholarship.
Education Loans
Students can explore education-loan options through ISB's participating financial institutions. Current options include collateral-free or unsecured financing, depending on the lender and eligibility. Loan amounts, interest rates, repayment periods and other terms are subject to the respective bank's policies.
Plan your PGP YL application with a clear view of deadlines, interview timelines and decision dates.
PGP YL Class of 2027–29
| Round | Application Deadline | Tentative Interview Dates | Final Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 |
December 20, 2026
|
Week 1 Feb – Week 2 Mar 2027 | Mid-March 2027 |
| Round 2 |
February 15, 2027
Plan Your ISB Application
|
Week 1 – Week 4 Apr 2027 | End-April 2027 |
Get direct 1-on-1 guidance from ISB alumni mentors. From profile evaluation and essay strategy to mock interviews, we help you build a winning application.
Get direct 1-on-1 guidance from ISB alumni mentors. From profile evaluation and essay strategy to mock interviews, we help you build a winning application.
ISB describes PGP YL as equivalent in content and rigour to an MBA, but Indian regulations do not allow independent institutions such as ISB to grant a master's degree. Participants receive a certificate of completion.
Yes. Candidates with no work experience can apply.
A maximum of 24 months of work experience as of June 15 of the joining year.
GMAT, GRE or CAT.
No official minimum score is required to apply.
Yes. It is a full-time residential programme at the Hyderabad campus.
20 months.
Yes. ISB currently lists exchange opportunities with 15+ partner institutions.
Yes. ISB currently offers merit-based, need-cum-merit and Develop India scholarships, along with donor-supported scholarships.
Yes. Career Advancement Services supports mandatory summer internship placements in Year 1 and final placements in Year 2.