The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya is scaling new heights in community engagement through its flagship Rural Immersion for Social Engagement (RISE) programme. In its latest edition, 145 students from the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) partnered with 20 leading development organisations to drive social impact across 13 Indian states.

What began as a grassroots initiative in Bihar has evolved into a nationwide effort. From tribal settlements in the Nallamala forest of Telangana to aspirational districts in Uttar Pradesh, students tackled real-world challenges spanning education, water, sanitation, clean energy, and livelihoods.

Partnering with renowned organisations such as Tata Trusts (CInI), Bharti Airtel Foundation, Piramal Foundation, BAIF, Tata Steel Foundation, and Ramky Foundation, students were embedded in on-ground projects—auditing rural schools, conducting health surveys, supporting digitisation of SHG-run businesses, and advancing renewable energy adoption in remote households.

In Bihar, IIM Bodh Gaya continued its deep-rooted engagement in its five adopted villages—Mahudar, Bapunagar, Turi Khurd, Turi Buzurg, and Rampur. Activities included baseline surveys, menstrual health drives, school evaluations, and expansion of institute-led initiatives like Sparsh and Happy Period, in collaboration with Glad Bharat Foundation and Jeevika.

RISE has grown into more than just a field-based learning programme. It’s a platform where management education meets purpose, where students not only learn from the grassroots but contribute to them. With each passing year, RISE continues to shape empathetic, action-driven leaders ready to create meaningful change.