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IIM Nagpur Plans Global Expansion, Pune Campus as Director Targets World Top 100 Ranking
NAGPUR, India — July 6, 2026 — Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur is preparing for a major phase of domestic and international expansion, with a new 70-acre Pune campus serving as the first step in an ambitious five-year strategy aimed at transforming the young business school into one of the world’s top institutions.
The plans were outlined by Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, who was recently reappointed as Director of IIM Nagpur for a second five-year term. Speaking about the institute’s newly unveiled Strategic Roadmap 2026–31, Metri said the vision is to evolve IIM Nagpur “from India to the world.”
“Our journey for the next five years will be guided by the vision of ‘From India to the World,'” Metri said. “A grand, full-fledged IIM Nagpur campus will come up in Pune.”
Maharashtra Approves 70-Acre Pune Campus
A key milestone in the expansion comes after the Maharashtra government allotted 70 acres of land in Moshi, Pune, on a nominal lease of ₹1. According to the institute, the land has an estimated market value exceeding ₹180 crore (approximately $21 million).
Once completed, the Pune campus is expected to become one of the largest secondary campuses operated by any Indian Institute of Management.
“Several IIMs have smaller satellite or extension centres, but our vision for Pune is fundamentally different,” Metri said.
The new campus will emphasize technology-driven management education, with programs focused on manufacturing, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and IT management.
Among the academic offerings under consideration are an integrated BBA–MBA program and a five-year BTech–MBA degree developed in collaboration with leading Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Metri said Pune’s position as one of India’s leading technology and manufacturing hubs presents an opportunity to rethink how future business leaders are educated.
“Pune gives us a unique opportunity to develop leaders who understand technology, management and industry as an integrated whole,” he said.
Ambitions Reach Beyond India
While Pune represents the institute’s most significant domestic expansion, IIM Nagpur is also planning to broaden its international presence.
The institute currently maintains an academic partnership with the University of Lille in France that includes student exchange opportunities. Over the next five years, leadership intends to establish partnerships with 20 leading universities worldwide, expanding student mobility, dual-degree programs, and collaborative research.
“We want our students to experience the world, study on international campuses and earn globally relevant qualifications,” Metri said. “Our aim is to build meaningful partnerships across continents.”
The institute also identified Goa as a potential location for future expansion within India.
Targeting the World’s Top Business Schools
One of the boldest objectives outlined in the roadmap is elevating IIM Nagpur into the Top 100 business schools globally while also becoming one of Asia’s Top 10 management institutions.
The institute additionally hopes to rank among India’s top three providers of executive education, reflecting growing demand for leadership and professional development programs.
The strategy emphasizes integrating artificial intelligence into management education, expanding research with an India-focused perspective, strengthening entrepreneurship programs, and increasing collaboration with industry.
Regional Development at the Core
Beyond academic rankings, IIM Nagpur intends to play a larger role in Maharashtra’s economic development.
Through initiatives including IVDP 2.0 and its District Development Strategy (DDS), the institute plans to support entrepreneurship, rural development, public policy, and investment-led growth across Maharashtra and the Vidarbha region.
“Our responsibility cannot end at the classroom door,” Metri said. “IIM Nagpur must contribute to job creation, regional transformation, clean energy, public policy, entrepreneurship and India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Focus on Energy and Climate Leadership
Climate and energy management will also feature prominently in IIM Nagpur’s next phase.
The institute plans to expand its Executive MBA in Energy Management, developed in partnership with the National Power Training Institute (NPTI), while continuing collaborations with ONGC Green Limited.
Plans also include establishing a Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling with the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).
On campus, IIM Nagpur intends to advance its Net-Zero sustainability goals, continue the second phase of campus development, and expand its solar energy initiatives.
Building a Multi-Campus Future
Founded in 2015 as part of India’s expansion of the Indian Institutes of Management system, IIM Nagpur has rapidly grown its academic offerings and industry partnerships.
With construction of its Pune campus now moving forward and international partnerships set to expand, institute leaders believe the next five years could redefine IIM Nagpur’s place in management education.
If the roadmap succeeds, the business school hopes to emerge not only as a leading institution in India, but as a globally recognized destination for management education, research, innovation, and technology-driven leadership.
