Rise in Internship Hiring and Surge in Stipends at India's Top B-Schools

The internship hiring process at India's prestigious business schools is gaining momentum once again. According to a report by The Economic Times, recruiters are now focusing more on summer internships for the recruitment of students from the 2026-28 batch. The most notable change in this trend is an increase in the stipends offered to students, reflecting the growing demand in industries and the competition to attract talented students.

These improvements are clearly visible in the country's top management institutions. Specifically, institutions such as IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow have reported an increase in the number of recruiters participating in their hiring process. Along with this, a significant increase has been noted in the median stipend amount at these institutions, proving to be more financially beneficial for the students.

Positive results have also been observed in the case of IIM Kozhikode. The institution noted an improvement in the conversion rate, which is the process of turning an internship into a permanent job. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the number of Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs), indicating that companies are satisfied with the performance of students during internships and wish to retain them as full-time employees.

Diversity is also being observed in the recruitment process. According to the report, many new recruiters have joined the hiring process this year. The arrival of new sectors and new companies has expanded the scope of opportunities for students, allowing them to prove their skills across various industries. The joining of these new recruiters has not only provided students with more options but also experience in working with various types of roles and responsibilities.

Overall, the internship environment at top B-schools is currently very encouraging. The offering of high stipends by recruiters and the participation of a larger number of companies are signs of a returning boom in the management sector. This process, especially for the 2026-28 batch, reflects the changing needs of industries and the search for innovative talent.

IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) are India's premier public institutions providing management education. These institutions are known for their rigorous entrance examinations and high-quality curricula, preparing skilled leaders and managers for industries every year.