IIM Ahmedabad has opened admissions for the 25th cohort of its flagship General Management Programme (GMP), marking a significant milestone for one of India’s most established executive education offerings. The nine-month programme, approved by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), is designed for mid- and senior-level professionals who need to move beyond functional expertise and develop the broader managerial capabilities demanded by today’s complex business environment.
The programme has already trained 24 cohorts of senior professionals drawn from diverse industries and geographies. With the 25th intake now open, IIM Ahmedabad is extending the offering to working executives across the Middle East, the GCC, Europe, India and South Asia. Participants complete 100 sessions in total 60 live online sessions and 40 face-to-face sessions delivered through 10 days of immersion at the institute’s Dubai and Ahmedabad campuses.
Speaking on the launch of admissions, Prof. Sunil Sharma, Dean of the IIMA Dubai Campus, underlined the shifting expectations placed on senior leaders. “Senior leadership increasingly calls for more than functional expertise. Executives must connect strategy, technology, people and performance while making sound decisions in conditions of uncertainty. The General Management Programme enables experienced professionals to widen their managerial perspective, challenge established assumptions and approach complex organisational questions with clarity, judgement and confidence.”
The curriculum is structured to build exactly these capabilities. Participants strengthen their ability to make strategic decisions, lead teams, improve organisational effectiveness and identify opportunities for innovation and operational improvement. The blend of online and on-campus learning is intended to accommodate the schedules of working professionals while still providing the depth and peer interaction that face-to-face immersion offers.
The timing of the 25th cohort coincides with rising global investment in leadership development. Future Market Insights projects that the worldwide leadership development programme market will grow from USD 98.7 billion in 2026 to USD 263.1 billion by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 10.3 per cent. In the GCC region, a PwC study of 200 senior executives found that 90 per cent expect India to retain its position as a global leadership hub for Global Capability Centres through 2030. The same study highlighted skills development as a strategic priority as artificial intelligence continues to reshape work and capability requirements. Gallup research further reinforces the importance of leadership quality, noting that managers account for 70 per cent of the variance in team engagement and that effective leadership remains the single greatest influence on organisational performance.
Against this backdrop, programmes such as the IIM Ahmedabad GMP aim to equip experienced professionals with the frameworks and judgement needed to navigate technological change, evolving business models and new organisational demands. The nine-month duration allows participants to apply classroom insights directly to their workplaces while benefiting from continuous peer learning and faculty guidance.
Admission to the programme is open to mid- and senior-level executives who wish to broaden their managerial range. Interested candidates can obtain further details and apply through the official IIM Ahmedabad executive education channels. With the 25th cohort now accepting applications, the institute continues a long-standing commitment to developing leaders who can operate effectively across functions, markets and organisational priorities.
The programme’s dual-campus format combining Dubai and Ahmedabad immersions also reflects the growing importance of cross-regional networks. Participants gain exposure not only to IIMA’s academic rigor but also to peers working in different economic and cultural contexts, an advantage that is particularly relevant for executives operating in the GCC and wider Middle East.
Also Read: IIM Ahmedabad Expands Globally with New Campus in Dubai
As organisations worldwide increase their investment in leadership capability, the demand for structured, high-quality executive education is expected to remain strong. The IIM Ahmedabad General Management Programme positions itself as a response to that demand, offering a proven pathway for professionals ready to expand their strategic and organisational impact.
Applications for the 25th cohort are now open. Prospective participants are encouraged to review the programme structure, faculty profile and admission requirements on the institute’s website and to submit their applications in good time.
