Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, one of the premier B-Schools of the country, hosted its 64^th Annual Convocation Ceremony where 310 graduating students of batch 2023–2025 received their PGDM diplomas on 3 May 2025, Saturday.

310 students across four programmes, including 118 students in Human Resource Management, 75 students in Rural Management, 58 students in Financial Management, and 59 students in Marketing Management graduated during the ceremony. 24 students from across four programmes were declared top rank holders and amongst them 11 gold, 08 silver, and 05 bronze medals were distributed. Meanwhile, 04 students received cash prizes worth Rs 1,72,000/-. 24 students were also awarded with Institutional Scholarships worth Rs 7.6 lakhs.

Ms Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Co-operative, GoJ graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Congratulating the graduating students she expressed her pride in being invited as a Chief Guest in XISS, and herself being a product of a Jesuit Institution, and that it made her extremely happy that all new graduates are not only going out of this institute with degrees, but it will speak a lot about your values that have been instilled by this institution. She later addressed the gather saying that when this institution was conceptualized 70 years ago, Jharkhand had 100% rural population and today it stands at 70% of rural population which is heavily dependent on agriculture and allied activities for its livelihood and that there couldn’t be a better place or better state to conceptualize an institute like this as all the wise men have put their blood and sweat to make this institution of what it is today. The Jesuit Principles learnt here would help all students to navigate not just the corporate world but also the society. We are the country with the highest youth power and XISS is doing its best effort with all its programmes to shape values in students. The Xavier University, Ranchi (XUR) in the prospects will be a huge boost to the education scenario of the state and will create indelible impact, she concluded.

Earlier, opening the 64th convocation ceremony, Fr Ajit Kumar Xess SJ, Chairman, XISS-Governing Body addressed the students and said that this day we celebrate dedication, hardwork, and patience of batch 2023-25 and may you all achieve success and continue to grow and cherish the fruit of your hardwork and embark on the journey of who you are and shine on in future. Make all efforts to bring in positive changes in society and in the lives of people around you.

Guest of Honor, Mr Guilherme Vaz, an Independent International Development Consultant, addressed the graduating students and extended his congratulations to all graduates on the valuable foundation they have received which will make them different in their lives. He added that all graduates are the upcoming change leaders who have inculcated values of ethical leadership, social values, responsibility and common good, from the institute and now can positively contribute to the society fulfilling the mission of XISS to make each of you a leader with compassion, competence and confidence.

Director, XISS, Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ presented the Annual Report of 2024-25, during the ceremony, highlighting the activities of the Institute in the past year. He stated, graduation day is a defining moment in the lives of all students, and as we are here to celebrate not just your academic accomplishments but a holistic journey of growth, learning, and transformation. The graduating students have weathered all challenges, grown in character, and arrived at a milestone that sets the stage for a new chapter of purpose, service, and leadership.

Dr Kujur in his message also shared the achievement of all four programmes of XISS receiving the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) and beginning of the Fellow Programme in Management and PGCM-Geospatial Technology Applications in Rural Development. He also shared placements highlights of the batch where 210 students have been placed so far. The highest package this year is of Rs 21.33 lakh and the average package is of Rs 8.56 lakh, while 12 students received Pre-placement Offers.

Dr Kujur urged students to carry the core of what XISS has instilled in them, that is 3Cs: Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion. He concluded his report with these words: be bold in vision, humble in victory, and resilient in challenge.

Further in the ceremony, Fr Michael Van den Bogaert SJ Memorial "Distinguished Alumni Award" was awarded to Mr Ashok Kumar Singh, an alumnus of the Rural Development Department from the batch of 1979-81. He is a distinguished development sector leader and Founder Director of Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra (SSK), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The ceremony continued with the releases of AXIS 2025 – Annual of XISS and Combined Volume of Jharkhand Journal of Development and Management Studies (JJDMS) 2024-25.  Special recognition announcement was done for Mohammad Ashraf on completion of his 15 years of service. The Director’s Excellence and Appreciation Awards were also announced for faculty and staff including Dr Amar E. Tigga, Dr Ramakant Agarwal, Dr Anant Kumar, Dr Pooja, Dr Sharda Singh, Mr Akash Bhuiyan, Ms Aayurshi, Mr Pankaj Tirkey, Mohammad Ashraf, Mr Jahangi Khan, Ms Koyel Mukherjee, Ms Sabina Bara, Mr Hitnarayan Jha, and Mr Cyril Tigga.

This year two new scholarships have been constituted, the first for Fellow Programme in Management worth Rs 25,000/- and is awarded to Ms Aayurshi, while the second Scholarship Award for PGCM-Geospatial Technology Applications in Rural Development worth Rs 15,000/- & Rs 10,000/- have been awarded to Mr Utkarsh Ujjwal and Ms Nikita Topno respectively.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Pradeep Kerketta SJ, Assistant Director, XISS. The event was attended by Dr Shyamal Gomes, Head PGDM (Human Resource Management); Dr Anant Kumar, Head PGDM (Rural Management); Dr Bhaskar Bhowani, Head, PGDM (Finance), and Dr Bhabani Prasad Mahapatra, Head, PGDM (Marketing). Other faculty and staff members, esteemed alumni, and parents of graduating students of batch of 2023-25 were also present during the annual ceremony. The ceremony was successfully coordinated by Dr Pinaki Ghosh and Dr Sharda Singh. The ceremony closed with the national anthem as the student’s bid adieu to the Institute. 

List of medal winners

Other constituted Medals and Cash Awards

1. (HRM) NTPC Gold Medal, New Delhi – Mr Anirban Nandi
2. (HRM) NTPC Gold Medal, New Delhi for ST/SC – Ms Rupali Megha Minz
3. (HRM) NIPM Kolkata, Silver Medal – Mr Faisal Ahmad & Ms Fatima Zafar
4. (HRM) Best Social Worker (Silver Medal) – Ms Khushi Poddar
5. (HRM) Best Communication Cash Award of Rs. 10,000/- – Mr Tushar Dwivedi
6. (HRM) Shruti Choudhary Memorial Gold Medal & Cash Award of Rs. 10,000/- (Female – Ms Pooja Kumari
7. (HRM) Pramod Kumar IR Excellence of Rs 1,00,000/- – Ms Pooja Kumari
8. (RM) NTPC Gold Medal, New Delhi for ST/SC – Ms Poonam Toppo
9. (RM) SODA Silver Medal, Best Social Worker – Ms Harshita Singh
10. (RM) Saibal Baroi Memorial Award (Rs 25,000/-) – Ms Manoj Kumar Mahali
11. (MM) Gold Medal (SC/ST Student) – Ms Manisha Kachhap
12. (MM) Kamalratna Gold Medal & Cash Award of Rs 27,000/- – Mr Rishi Kumar Verma
13. (FM) Gold Medal (SC/ST Student) – Ms Mimansa Kerketta

To read the list of students who received the XISS Scholarship (2023-25 – 2nd Year), click on the link:

List of Students for XISS Scholarship

Topper’s Speak: Gold Medalists

Human Resource Management:

Mr Anirban Nandi – Placed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

“As a HRM student in XISS, Ranchi was an enriching and fruitful experience. Besides academics, I have received innumerable opportunities in exploring extra-curricular activities both intra and inter-college, co-curricular activities (Research paper publication, conferences, workshops, seminars), and student club activities. I look forward to utilizing my explored skills, gained knowledge and competencies in these two years in my upcoming corporate career in TCS as an HRBP.”

Rural Management:

Mr Shashwat Kumar – pursuing higher education

“My two years at XISS in Rural Management have been nothing short of a beautiful transformation, both within and beyond the classroom. My experiences have been built around Rural Camps, Exposure Visits to Industries, Block Placements, and International Summer Internship which have helped me see development through a wider lens. I feel incredibly grateful to God, my parents, and all my faculty members whose guidance made this journey meaningful. These two years have been a journey of walking together with communities—step by step, heart to heart—reminding me why I chose this path and why I’ll continue on it with purpose and passion.”

Financial Management:

Ms Smriti Singh - Placed at Uno Minda

“It is a very special and memorable moment for me. My journey at XISS has been full of learning, growth, and self-discovery. It taught me not just finance, but also how to handle challenges, work in a team, and stay grounded. From classroom lessons to club activities and strong friendships, every part of XISS has shaped me into who I am today. I’m deeply thankful to my teachers, friends, and family for their constant support.”

Marketing Management:

Rishi Kumar Verma – Placed at Maruti Suzuki India Limited

“I am very happy on receiving gold medal for my PGDM in Marketing Management Programme. XISS & the Programme have been a catalyst in shaping my personality and potential. This course has provided me with the right blend of academic rigor and practical exposure, empowering me to grow as a confident professional. XISS gave me the platform to explore, evolve, and embrace every opportunity with purpose.”