IIM Bangalore Sustainability Award Silver Category Recognition at ELCITA 2025

IIM Bangalore earns silver category recognition at ELCITA Sustainability Awards 2025 for biodiversity, carbon neutrality, and social welfare leadership.

In a significant leap toward institutional sustainability, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) secured the Silver Award in the “Educational, Hospitality & Research Organizations” category at the ELCITA Sustainability Awards 2024–25. The institute was also honored for its excellence in biodiversity management and community service, cementing its leadership in India’s academic sustainability landscape.

These prestigious recognitions, presented at a grand ceremony on July 17, 2025, at The Oterra Hotel, Bengaluru, underline IIMB’s commitment to integrating eco-conscious values across academic, residential, and administrative domains.

Celebrating a Multi-Dimensional Approach to Sustainability

Instituted by the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA), the ELCITA Sustainability Awards spotlight organizations championing impactful environmental action. Recognized pillars include:

• Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption
• Waste segregation and solid/organic waste management
• Green infrastructure and air quality enhancement
• Carbon neutrality and sustainability reporting
• Biodiversity preservation and social welfare

IIMB emerged as a leading model in these categories, securing accolades not only for institutional operations but also for its broader influence on local communities and ecosystems.

Purchase Today

IIMB’s Recognized Environmental Champions

At the ceremony, Col. S.D. Aravendan (Chief Administrative Officer), Mr. Shivakumar K (Manager, Estates), and Ms. Komala Devi (Administrative Officer, Hostel) accepted the awards on behalf of the institute. Their presence reinforced IIMB’s dedication to on-ground implementation of sustainability strategies.

The recognitions are a direct result of the proactive and collaborative efforts of IIMB’s staff and faculty, alongside the campus community, in advancing sustainable infrastructure and eco-friendly behavioral practices.

Institutionalizing Green Practices at IIMB

While sustainability often remains a buzzword, IIMB has systematically institutionalized it through actionable plans. From energy audits to solar installations, the campus reflects a strong alignment between policy and practice.

Key achievements include:

• Installation of solar panels for clean energy
• Extensive rainwater harvesting systems across blocks
• Development of biodiversity zones promoting native flora
• Community-led organic waste composting
• Digitization of services to reduce paper consumption

Such practices align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes environmental responsibility among higher educational institutions.

For more insights into academic materials aligned with NEP 2020, visit our resources on NCERT Courses, NCERT Mind Maps, and Syllabus-based learning.

Leading With Vision: Sustainability as a Culture

Prof. Haritha Saranga, Chairperson of IIMB’s Sustainability Taskforce, remarked,

“As you can see, while we are doing a lot, we still have much ground to cover.”

Her statement echoes the forward-looking culture at IIMB, where sustainability is seen not as a checkbox but as a long-term institutional value. Faculty-led taskforces regularly engage in environmental planning, with student involvement in initiatives like energy audits, green clubs, and community outreach.

This inclusive model fosters both innovation and accountability—key to transforming a traditional academic institution into a climate-conscious campus.

Impact Beyond the Campus: Social Welfare and Biodiversity

Winning the Award for Excellence in Social Welfare and Community Services was a milestone that demonstrated IIMB’s extension of sustainability values beyond its gates. Initiatives like:

• Local community engagement for health and sanitation
• Collaboration with NGOs on education for underprivileged children
• Workshops for sustainable livelihoods in rural sectors

have amplified IIMB’s societal impact.

Meanwhile, the Award for Excellence in Biodiversity Management acknowledges the creation and preservation of green corridors within the campus. These efforts not only serve ecological functions but also double as learning laboratories for sustainability-focused coursework.

Explore more about biodiversity through interactive learning content available in our Videos Section and Notes Hub.

Expert Voices: Why Academic Sustainability Matters

According to Dr. Radhika Khosla, an Oxford University researcher on climate and energy transitions,

“Institutes like IIMB play a pivotal role in creating scalable models for carbon neutrality in the education sector.”

She adds that academic institutions can demonstrate living laboratories of innovation and resilience, crucial for national and global climate goals.

Sustainability Reporting and the Road Ahead

One of IIMB’s next steps includes enhancing sustainability reporting standards in line with international benchmarks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Plans are underway to publish an annual sustainability report showcasing measurable metrics like:

• Water footprint reduction
• Carbon offset ratios
• Waste diversion percentages
• Biodiversity impact indexes

This data-driven transparency will not only validate IIMB’s efforts but also inspire other Indian institutes to adopt evidence-based sustainability strategies.

For academic support on sustainability curriculum, explore Current Affairs and MCQs on Environment.

Building Digital-First, Eco-Friendly Institutions

In a post-pandemic world, the definition of sustainability now encompasses digital transformation, energy-conscious architecture, and inclusive policymaking. IIMB’s recognition paves the way for other institutions to reimagine their campus operations.

If you’re an educational institution looking to go green and digital, connect with Mart India Infotech for custom tech solutions.

Conclusion: A Model for Climate-Conscious Academia

IIM Bangalore’s sustainability award silver category recognition serves as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and environmental leadership. The institute has not only integrated sustainability into its infrastructure but also made it a core value in academic governance and community outreach.

As climate challenges intensify, the higher education sector must respond with measurable action, community collaboration, and transparent reporting—principles IIMB has already embraced.

📘 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the IIM Bangalore sustainability award silver category recognition?
It is an award conferred by ELCITA to IIMB for leadership in environmental initiatives in the “Educational, Hospitality & Research Organizations” category.

Q2. What is ELCITA and why is it important?
ELCITA stands for Electronics City Industrial Township Authority, an organization that promotes eco-conscious industrial and institutional operations in Bengaluru.

Q3. What sustainability initiatives helped IIMB win the award?
Initiatives include solar energy adoption, water harvesting, biodiversity zones, and zero-waste practices.

Q4. How is biodiversity management implemented at IIMB?
The campus includes protected green corridors, native plantations, and a biodiversity inventory system.

Q5. What is IIMB’s contribution to community welfare?
Programs on sanitation, rural education, and sustainable livelihood development in partnership with NGOs.

Q6. Who are the key people behind IIMB’s sustainability success?
Col. S.D. Aravendan, Mr. Shivakumar K, Ms. Komala Devi, and Prof. Haritha Saranga lead key taskforces and administrative roles.

Q7. Is IIMB planning to release sustainability reports?
Yes, it aims to align with global standards like GRI to publish detailed environmental impact reports.

Q8. How can other institutions replicate IIMB’s model?
By creating sustainability taskforces, implementing green infrastructure, and measuring environmental metrics.

Q9. What role do students play in IIMB’s green initiatives?
Students lead green clubs, assist in energy audits, and participate in eco-social outreach programs.

Q10. Where can one access academic resources on sustainability?
Explore NCERT PDF downloads, MCQs, and Current Affairs to deepen knowledge.