BITS School of Management (BITSoM) held its 4th convocation in Mumbai, awarding degrees to 157 students, with 51% women. Smriti Irani urged self-discipline, while Kumar Mangalam Birla highlighted courage, adaptability, and empathy as key to future success.

Mumbai, April 16, 2026: BITS School of Management (BITSoM) held its fourth annual convocation ceremony on April 16, 2026, awarding degrees to 157 students from the Class of 2026. The event brought together faculty, industry leaders, and families, with Smriti Irani attending as the chief guest. 

Women made up 51% of the graduating cohort this year

Addressing the students, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, spoke about the importance of courage, adaptability, and empathy in navigating a rapidly changing world. 

He stated that "Class of 2026, we’re moving into an age of abundance, an overwhelming abundance of information, tools, and capability. In a world where everyone has access to intelligence, the advantage will come from something else entirely: who has momentum. It takes three qualities: courage, versatility, and empathy. Courage creates momentum; it gets you moving even before the path is clear. Versatility ensures you are not anchored to what was but adaptable to what is and what is going to be. Empathy will determine whether others choose to move and work with you. The future most definitely will not be shaped by those who know the most. The future belongs to those who have the courage to choose, the versatility to adapt, and the empathy to connect.”