Bangalore, India – 25.03.2026 : GIBS hosted the Student of the Year 2026 event. This is the school’s biggest event of the year, and is meant to showcase student’s leadership, talent, and accomplishments. This event showed that the school is dedicated to preparing it’s students for the professional world with a combination of educational and experiential learning.
Having Special Star Guest Mr. Arbaaz Khan (Actor, Producer, and Businessman) made the event so much more entertaining. The event also featured a performance by Dance India Dance fame Kamlesh Patel which made the event even more culturally diverse.
An Event Filled with Tradition and Class
To begin, all of the guests were offered options of refreshing welcome drinks and a high tea as a form of greeting. The event started with the lamp lighting ceremony which is a tradition that represents knowledge, new beginnings, and all of the positivity in the world. The ceremonial start was followed by an insightful welcome address by Dean & Professor Dr. Pallavi Vyas. She spoke on the necessity for acknowledging not only academic excellence but also the attributes of leadership, creativity and tenacity. She remarked how GIBS Business School continually builds initiatives that champion holistic accomplishments and the readiness to excel in the corporate world.
Celebrating Talent and Ingenuity
The GIBS Business School students’ amazing artistic skills were highlighted in the cultural part of the event. The stage was filled with energy and excitement as enthusiastic performances featuring dynamic dance routines by students were executed.
The event obtained new heights with a mesmerizing performance by Danceonhand Kamlesh Patel. His presence and choreography wowed the audience and encouraged the students to strive for excellence in whatever they wish to pursue.
With a touch of elegance and confidence, students partook in a fashion walk, exuding creativity and style. The ramp walk segment was one of the most interactive and exciting moments, showcasing the personality and confidence of GIBS students beyond academics.
Audience Inspired by the Star Presence
The greatest moment of the event came with the grand entry of Mr. Arbaaz Khan. His presence elevated the excitement and the respect of the event. The impact of his interaction with the students is immeasurable.
While addressing the crowd, Mr. Arbaaz Khan spoke about his experiences in the entertainment and business industry. The audience heard about the importance of being resilient, adaptable, and not lose touch with their humility when they achieve success. His audience was inspired to fight for what they want, and to take the necessary steps and not to lose confidence.
Awards and Achievements: Recognizing Excellence
The event’s award ceremony was the most important feature, as the most distinguished students were recognized for their extraordinary achievements in academics, leadership, and the overall event.
Student of the Year 2026 – J. P. Goyal Memorial Award
The most distinguished recognition of the evening, J. P. Goyal Memorial Award is given to students who excel in academics and also show leadership, initiative, and overall development.
- Retheka S (PGDM Batch 2024–26) – Outstanding contribution and performance. Awarded ₹51,000 and a trophy.
- Vedanth H (BBA Batch 2023–26) – Awarded ₹21,000 and a trophy for achievements and leadership.
These award winners embody the GIBS philosophy of holistic education and demonstrate the ability to be groomed into leaders of the future.
Shakuntala Devi Award – Academic Excellence
This award is given to students who have shown outstanding achievement and maintained consistency in their academics.
- M. Mridhula (PGDM Batch 2024–26) – Received ₹21,000 and a trophy.
- Yuvaraj Singh (BBA Batch 2023–26) – Received ₹11,000 and a trophy.
Their commitment to learning is in line with what GIBS expects from its students.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Award – Academic 2nd Topper
This award category recognises students who have achieved notable academic success and maintained consistency in their performance.
- Amandeep Kaur (PGDM Batch 2024–26) – Received ₹11,000 and a trophy.
- Pooja Singh (BBA Batch 2023–26) – Received ₹7,000 and a trophy.
These individuals have shown the peers that it is possible to be successful in academics, be goal oriented, and successfully balance multiple priorities.
A Platform for Holistic Development
The Student of the Year ceremony is not just an award function; it is a celebration of the GIBS Business School ecosystem that empowers students to maximize their true potential. GIBS Business School fosters a culture of academic rigor, complemented by strong extracurricular engagement, leadership opportunities, and extensive industry exposure—ensuring that students are well-equipped to thrive in the ever-evolving professional world.
The event concluded with an inspiring closing address by Mr. Ritesh Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director of GIBS Business School & The GIBS Group, who shared his vision of nurturing future leaders through a holistic and value-driven education system. He emphasized the importance of consistency, discipline, and a growth mindset, encouraging students to dream big and take ownership of their journey. His motivating words left the audience energized and reinforced GIBS’s commitment to shaping confident, competent, and socially responsible professionals.
GIBS Business School is proud to be a part of the Top 10 PGDM colleges in Bangalore and continue to build on excellence in management education by incorporating Imagination, Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship. The emphasis on developing skills for the greater part of the learning experience illustrates alignment to industry and experiential learning frameworks.
Identically, the institute’s BBA course from Bangalore promotes and develops creativity, leadership, and business skills to build and empower students in their undergraduate studies.
An Evening To Remember
The awards were followed by a stunning DJ night, which saw the gathering of students, faculty, and partners come together to celebrate the success and unity of the participants. The event closed with a lavish dinner, which created a good space for networking, and a good time to reflect on the successes of the year.
The event showcased the unrivaled dedication and teamwork exhibited by the students at GIBS Business School.
Leadership Perspective
In their comments, the GIBS Business School management team was clearly proud of the students and what they have accomplished. He noted that this type of event was important for confidence, and emphasized the importance of this event in recognition of success and motivation to the participants.
They emphasized GIBS’s vision to develop future leaders who are strong in the classroom as well as the boardroom, and in the community, and are versatile, and passionate.
The Student of the Year 2026 celebration at GIBS Business School, Bangalore was an event of many components. It showcased the school’s commitment to excellence and the passion and celebration of the school’s community. It had wonderful speeches, exciting moments and awards and captured the spirit of GIBS Business School.
It is in the spirit of these celebration events that GIBS Business School inspires and encourages students to break new barriers and to continue to strive to make GIBS Business School one of the premier business schools in the world.
