Kozhikode/Delhi, June 18, 2026: Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, three-time Director of the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Face of India 2026’ recognition by IndiaSpark, a leading Industry–Academia platform dedicated to connecting students, educational institutions, industry leaders, innovators and changemakers across India.

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The recognition forms part of IndiaSpark’s flagship initiative, ‘Academic Visionaries of India 2026’, which celebrates distinguished academic leaders whose contributions have significantly shaped education, leadership development, innovation and nation-building. The ‘Face of India 2026’ distinction is reserved for leaders whose impact transcends institutional boundaries and inspires future generations of learners and professionals across the country.

IndiaSpark acknowledged Prof. Chatterjee’s exemplary contributions to management education, institution-building, academic innovation and leadership development. His transformative leadership has been instrumental in elevating IIM Kozhikode into one of India’s most respected and globally recognised business schools.

Under Prof. Chatterjee’s stewardship, IIM Kozhikode has consolidated its position among the country’s leading management institutions, securing a place among the Top-3 management schools in the Government of India’s NIRF Rankings for three consecutive years (2023, 2024 and 2025). As the southernmost IIM and now in its landmark 30th year, the Institute has strengthened its national and global standing through sustained academic excellence, innovation and inclusive growth.

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During this period, IIM Kozhikode has further enhanced its international reputation through prestigious global accreditations including AMBA and EQUIS, while earning recognition among the world’s leading business schools in prominent global rankings, including the QS World University Rankings and the Financial Times Rankings. The Institute has also emerged as a pioneer among the IIMs in promoting gender diversity and inclusive leadership, setting new benchmarks for management education in India.

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Receiving the recognition, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee said, “I accept this honour with gratitude on behalf of the entire IIM Kozhikode community. This recognition reflects our collective commitment to excellence, innovation, inclusion and nation-building through transformative education.”

The recognition by IndiaSpark celebrates not only Prof. Chatterjee’s distinguished achievements as an academic leader, author and leadership thinker, but also the enduring values of excellence, innovation and societal impact that continue to define IIM Kozhikode’s journey.

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About Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode : The fifth IIM to be established by Govt. of India in 1996, IIMK started its academic journey in 1997 with its flagship Postgraduate Program (PGP). The Institute is on a high growth trajectory today, offering widest range of academic programs in the field of management education. These include Doctoral Programme in Management (PhD), Executive PG Programmes, Management Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programs. IIMK set up a Satellite campus at Infopark, Kochi, in 2013 dedicated to Executive Education. IIMK has also the unique distinction of launching a PhD (Practice Track) programme for working professionals besides bringing in new dynamic courses like one-year Post Graduate programme in Business Leadership (2019) MBA in Finance and MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (2020). IIM Kozhikode also launched a one-of-its kind 4-year full-time undergraduate programme – Bachelor of Management studies in 2025. The institute is also home to IIMK LIVE a first-of-its-kind startup incubation programme, the Indian Business Museum and seven other Centres of Excellences encompassing diverse areas. IIMK is ranked 3rd as per NIRF India Rankings 2025: Management. The institute programmes consistently feature among the Top-100 Management programmes in the world in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Financial Times (FT) Rankings. Currently IIMK’s top-ranked global Programmes include Ranks #53 for QS Online MBA 2025 and Rank #65 for Global MBA 2026. The Institute is globally accredited by EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA (UK). Submitted by Mr. Vikas Panicker.