Professor J Philip

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the untimely passing of former Director, Prof. J Philip, who passed away on 21 February 2026.

Prof. Philip was a pioneering management educationist whose vision and leadership helped shape IIM Bangalore in its formative years. He served as Director from 1985 to 1991 and brought to the Institute a remarkable mix of academic excellence, institution-building experience and leadership across industry and education.

He held senior leadership positions at XLRI, the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), and the Oberoi Group, before going on to found the Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME). Over the course of a distinguished career, Prof. Philip remained deeply committed to advancing management education in India and sought to reimagine the contours of the modern business school.

IIMB extends its heartfelt condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. Professor J Philip will be remembered with respect and affection for his scholarship, his energy, and his many contributions to IIM Bangalore.