8 Best Long-term Executive Leadership Programs for Indian Women

By: Priyanka Vyas, Content Writer

5. IIM Calcutta - Executive Leadership Programme for Women (ELPW)

Through IIM Calcutta’s Executive Leadership Programme for Women (ELPW), seasoned female professionals and entrepreneurs prepare themselves with skills required to ascend to senior-level management roles. The curriculum consists of a blend of business management and leadership, which include strategy, digitalization, marketing, finance, executive presence, and emotional resilience. Workshops, simulations, and capstone project help develop leadership skills necessary for team leadership and organization growth. Successful participants also get recognition of IIM Calcutta Executive Education Alumni status.

Best Suited for: Mid-career women managers, executives, and entrepreneurs

Course Duration: 12 months

Learning Format: Live online classes with on-campus immersions

Course Fee: ₹3,90,000 plus GST

6. ISB Senior Management Programme

Senior Management Programme by ISB is an executive program meant for senior managers who want to grow their businesses and transform them. The curriculum encompasses strategic thinking, AI-based decision making, digital transformation, governance, and agile leadership. Offering immersive learning, practical business scenarios, mentoring and guidance from experts, and collaboration amongst peers, the program helps one develop abilities to lead successful organizations with practical expert guidance.

Best Suited for: Senior executives, business leaders, and functional heads

Course Duration: 52 weeks

Learning Format: Blended format with live online sessions and on-campus immersions

Course Fee: ₹9,00,000 plus GST

7. IIM Kozhikode Women’s Leadership Programme (WLP)

The IIM Kozhikode Women’s Leadership Programme is meant for women executives are looking to hone their leadership skills and expedite their journey towards senior roles. This program will provide them with live and interactive learning sessions from the experienced faculty of IIM Kozhikode, industrial workshops, coaching in groups, action learning and case based learning. Capabilities in strategic decision making, negotiation, effective teamwork, organizational dynamics, executive presence and influencing people remain as the core skills learnt by the participants. The program calls for two immersions for participants on the campus of IIM Kozhikode, which includes four mandatory and one optional day on campus.

Best Suited for: Women professionals from mid-to-senior level advancing leadership career

Course Duration: 10 months

Learning Format: Live online sessions, action learning projects and on-campus immersion

Course Fee: ₹3,52,000 plus GST

8. SPJIMR - Management Programme for Women (MPW)

Management Programme for Women (MPW) is a full-time executive program conducted by S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR). The program is crafted to empower women who aim to make a comeback to the corporate landscape after taking a break from their careers. The curriculum integrates general management, personal leadership development, and experiential learning, complemented by mentorship, executive coaching, career support, and a corporate internship to strengthen workplace readiness.

Best Suited for: Women returning to work after a career break (minimum 4 years' prior experience)

Course Duration: 11 months

Learning Format: Online on-boarding, campus-based learning, and corporate internship

Course Fee: Not confirmed

The Way Forward

As organizations navigate ever-evolving technological and economic developments, the need for visionary and forward-thinking leaders has increased remarkably. With women entering the world of business successfully climbing the corporate landscape, executive education becomes much more than just an avenue for professional development. It acts as a catalyst for increasing influence, building leadership skills, and boardroom readiness. The above mentioned courses will help aspiring women leaders to develop the necessary qualities to propel their career in the right direction and serve the economy meaningfully.