The Indian Institute of Management Jammu had the distinct privilege of hosting an insightful and inspiring Guest Lecture by Sanjay Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), at the Mandapam Auditorium, IIM Jammu on 29th April 2026. The distinguished session brought together students, faculty members, officers, and eminent guests for a transformative interaction with one of India’s foremost public sector leaders.
Sanjay Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), was accorded a warm welcome by Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, in the esteemed presence of Rakesh Wazir, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu Region, and President, Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra;Group General Manager North Zone Naveen Dixit, Shri Arup Bhattacharya, Chief Program Officer, IIM Jammu; along with the faculty, officers, and students of the Institute.
Prior to the lecture, Sanjay Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), was taken on a comprehensive tour of the IIM Jammu campus, including the Program Office, the state-of-the-art Nalanda Library, technologically advanced smart classrooms, and the iconic Mandapam Auditorium. Deeply impressed by the world-class infrastructure and vibrant academic ecosystem, he lauded the Institute’s remarkable commitment to excellence and innovation.
In his highly engaging address,Sanjay Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), inspired students to emerge as visionary, responsible, and transformative leaders who will play a pivotal role in realizing India’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He eloquently chronicled IRCTC’s extraordinary 25-year journey as a trailblazer in digital transformation, demonstrating how the organization has redefined customer experiences while managing operations at an unprecedented scale.
Highlighting IRCTC’s evolution, he spoke extensively about its rapid digitalisation, seamless ticketing ecosystem, integration of artificial intelligence, innovative payment solutions with two-way communication, and its exceptional market performance since its landmark IPO in 2019. He underscored how IRCTC has emerged as one of India’s most admired and best-performing public sector enterprises, setting new benchmarks in service excellence, innovation, and value creation.
Further strengthening the bond between academia and industry, he extended an invitation to IIM Jammu for collaborative initiatives and encouraged students to visit IRCTC to gain first hand exposure to its real-time operations, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative management practices. His address brilliantly highlighted the indispensable role of leadership, innovation, and technology in driving nation-building and economic transformation.
Speaking on the momentous occasion, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, eloquently chronicled the remarkable journey of the Institute since its inception in 2016. He highlighted IIM Jammu’s meteoric ascent as one of the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic management institutions, offering a diverse portfolio of academic programmes while nurturing a vibrant community of over 1,300 students. He further underscored the Institute’s strategic collaborations with premier institutions such as IIT Jammu, AIIMS Jammu, and leading international Institutions, alongside its prestigious global accreditations, which have significantly enriched its academic, research, and innovation ecosystem. Emphasizing IIM Jammu’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, industry integration, and nation-building, he reaffirmed the Institute’s steadfast dedication to contributing meaningfully to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Drawing compelling parallels with IRCTC’s extraordinary transformation, he described it as a shining exemplar of visionary leadership, technological innovation, sustainable growth, and exceptional public value creation.
Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty & Research, IIM Jammu, lauded IRCTC for revolutionizing India’s travel, tourism, and hospitality ecosystem through its relentless pursuit of innovation, customer-centricity, and operational excellence. He encouraged students to draw inspiration from IRCTC’s extraordinary journey, emphasizing that its transformation offers invaluable lessons in visionary leadership, strategic execution, digital innovation, and nation-building. He urged the future managers to imbibe these principles as they prepare to lead organizations and contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story.
Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, reflected on India’s extraordinary economic transformation and the rapid evolution of its business landscape, drawing compelling parallels with IRCTC’s remarkable journey as a beacon of resilience, innovation, and national progress. He highlighted how IRCTC exemplifies the power of visionary leadership, technological advancement, and customer-centric excellence in creating enduring value, inspiring students to embrace change, drive innovation, and contribute actively to India’s journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.The session brought together students, faculty members, officers, and distinguished guests for an enriching interaction with one of India’s most accomplished public sector leaders.
The session culminated in an engaging and intellectually stimulating question-and-answer session, where students enthusiastically interacted with Shri Sanjay Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) along with Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu on leadership, public sector management, digital innovation, and emerging opportunities in transportation and tourism. His practical wisdom, strategic foresight, and inspiring leadership journey left an indelible impression on everyone present.
The formal vote of thanks was proposed by Shri Arup Bhattacharya, Chief Program Officer, IIM Jammu, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to Shri Sanjay Jain for sharing his invaluable insights, inspiring leadership journey, and visionary perspectives with the IIM Jammu fraternity. This landmark session stands as yet another testament to IIM Jammu’s unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful industry-academia collaboration and providing its students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with distinguished leaders who are shaping the future of India and inspiring the next generation of transformative nation-builders.
