Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University

What Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University does

The Indian Institute of Sustainability (IIS) is an academic Center of Eminence operating within Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India, structured around four functional pillars: Practice, Research, Training, and Institutional Collaboration. The institute offers a focused portfolio of graduate and post-graduate academic programs spanning MBA, M.Sc., PG Diploma, and Ph.D. levels in sustainability-related fields, including Agripreneurship and Value Chain Management, Rural Management and Sustainability, Sustainable International Business and Foreign Trade, and Natural Farming. IIS notably launched India's first-ever Ph.D. program in Natural Farming in September 2022 and a first-of-its-kind PG Diploma in Rural Management with eight specializations (seaweed farming, dairy management, cooperative management, climate change and renewable energy, and others). The institute also runs a ClimateTech Accelerator targeting climate-focused startups and operates four student development clubs (EKYAM, PRARAMBH, VIDYUT, VIHAAN).

IIS serves four distinct customer segments: graduate and post-graduate students pursuing sustainability education (primary); government departments and policy bodies including GLPC, NITI Aayog, the Climate Change Department of Gujarat, GEDA, NAFED, and DRDO seeking trained professionals and policy support; startups and entrepreneurs via the ClimateTech Accelerator; and farmers and rural communities accessing natural farming training programs. Revenue is generated through tuition and fees from academic programs, professional services revenue from government training contracts (BDSP training, natural farming workshops, climate change seminars), CSR-funded initiatives with corporate partners such as Pidilite Industries, and student internship/placement services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

The institute leverages Gujarat University's institutional infrastructure — including a university-wide Learning Management System hosting 62 subjects and over 21,000 e-content modules — and an extensive partnership network of more than 30 national and international institutions including UNITAR, Penn State University, the University of Glasgow, SOAS University of London, the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), and multiple Indian agricultural universities. Distribution channels include Gujarat University's established academic system, student and faculty exchange programs, and the ClimateTech Accelerator channel for startup engagement. Core staff headcount is approximately 10, with the broader Gujarat University ecosystem providing operational scale. The institute is led by Director Sudhanshu Jangir and operates under the governance of Gujarat University's Vice Chancellor.

Name

Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University

Legal name

Indian Institute of Sustainability

Website

https://iisg.ac.in

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Indian Institute of Sustainability is a Center of Eminence within Gujarat University in Ahmedabad offering graduate, post-graduate, and Ph.D. programs in sustainability, agripreneurship, natural farming, and rural management, alongside a ClimateTech Accelerator, serving students, government bodies, startups, and farming communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education in Sustainability

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAEAL

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Technical & Polytechnic Universities

SECONDARYEUAMANAJ

Standards, Certification & Compliance (RECs/GOs, sustainability reporting)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro & Geothermal)/Policy & Regulatory Consulting for Renewables

SECONDARYIMAMAJAK

Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Paper & Forest Products/Forest Management, Reforestation & Carbon Forestry Services

SECONDARYEUABABAD

Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Carbon Project Development & Origination (Nature-based & Tech-based)

SECONDARYBPADANAI

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Standards, Policy & Regulatory Cooperation

SECONDARYEUAHAAAH

Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Permitting

Keywords

• Sustainability education programs
• Agripreneurship degree programs
• Natural farming research
• Rural management studies
• Higher education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Ahmedabad

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Academic Programs and Courses: Tuition and fees from MBA, M.Sc., PG Diploma programs in Agripreneurship, Rural Management, Sustainable Business, Natural Farming, and related specializations. Programs include certificate courses and post-graduate diplomas.
2. Training and Professional Services: Revenue from conducting training programs such as Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) training, natural farming workshops, and climate change seminars for government departments and organizations.
3. Student Internship and Placement Services: Collaboration with government bodies like GLPC for student internships and placements, creating value through industry-academia partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Indian Institute of Sustainability (IIS) operates as a Center of Eminence within Gujarat University, offering specialized degree programs (MBA, M.Sc., PG Diploma, Certificate courses, and Ph.D.) in sustainability-related fields including Agripreneurship and Value Chain Management, Rural Management and Sustainability, Sustainable International Business and Foreign Trade, and Natural Farming. The institute also conducts professional training programs, BDSP training, and runs a ClimateTech Accelerator for climate startups, supported by research, international partnerships, and student exchange programs.

Product overview

Indian Institute of Sustainability operates as an academic and research institution within Gujarat University, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and facilities. The core offerings include specialized degree programs (MBA, M.Sc., PG Diploma, Certificate courses, and Ph.D.) in sustainability-related fields such as Agripreneurship, Value Chain Management, Rural Management, Natural Farming, and Sustainable International Business. The institution also runs a ClimateTech Accelerator program for startup support. Additional infrastructure includes an internal Learning Management System, research facilities, and student development clubs. The portfolio functions as an integrated academic ecosystem designed to promote sustainable development through education, research, and institutional collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Agripreneurship and Value Chain Management: MBA, M.Sc. and PG Diploma program in agripreneurship and value chain management
• Natural Farming
• ClimateTech Accelerator
• Rural Management and Sustainability

Products and services

• MBA/M.Sc./PG Diploma in Agripreneurship and Value Chain Management A first-of-its-kind action, exposure, and experience-oriented Master's level degree program focused on agriculture ecosystem understanding through PPP (People, Policy, and Professional) approach, designed to nurture entrepreneurs in agriculture marketing and supply chain. Targeted at graduate students seeking careers in agripreneurship.
• MBA in Sustainable International Business & Foreign Trade A specialized MBA program launched in October 2022 focusing on sustainable international business practices and foreign trade, inaugurated by Honourable Central Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology. Designed for graduate students pursuing careers in sustainable international business.
• PG Diploma in Rural Management & Sustainability First PG Diploma course in India on Rural Management & Sustainability offered in eight specializations: Seaweed Farming, Natural Farming, Entrepreneurship, Climate Change & Renewable Energy, Cooperative Management, Agribusiness Management, Community Management, and Dairy Management. Designed for graduates seeking rural management careers.
• Certificate Course in Rural Management & Sustainability A six-month certificate course on Rural Management & Sustainability that candidates can pursue alongside their current degrees, providing foundational training for graduates and professionals.
• Ph.D. in Natural Farming Country's first-ever Ph.D. Program in Natural Farming launched by IIS under the leadership of Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat and Vice-Chancellor Shri Himanshu Pandya. Targeted at doctoral researchers in sustainable agriculture.
• ClimateTech Accelerator An accelerator program for climate startups building in Green Building, Energy optimization, Biofuel, Renewable energies, Electric Vehicles, AI/Blockchain, Waste-water treatment, and Waste management, providing resources, mentorship, and ecosystem support. Targeted at climate entrepreneurs and startups.

Quantifiable outcome

• First university in Gujarat to introduce Natural Farming as compulsory subject for M.Sc. and M.B.A.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2021MoU signed between IIS, Gujarat University and UNITAR to provide students better experiences of United Nations through various joint academic programmes, training visits and projects. Mr. Nikhil Seth, Honourable Assistant General UN launched the web portal of IIS.
• Penn State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration for agricultural sciences and sustainability research
• Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for skill development, BDSP training programs, student placements. 23 out of 31 students from batch hired by GLPC. MoU for encouraging and promoting cooperation in skill development, knowledge sharing and policy development.
• University of LadakhcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for joint degree courses, joint research programs with transfer of credits. Student exchange program hosting 60 students. Establishment of Ladakh Cultural Room and Gujarat Bhavan at University of Ladakh.
• University of KashmircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for joint degree courses and joint research programs with transfer of credits. Technical collaboration to strengthen knowledge sharing.
• NITI AayogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatement of Intent signed for cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors, knowledge sharing and policy development in India for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
• NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for Capacity Building, FPO formation, Market Linkages, and Natural Farming promotion in presence of Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat.
• Pidilite Industries LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo MoUs signed - one with Manar Centre for Agri-Hort Development and another with Women's SHG initiative. Pidilite agreed to use Manar Centre as satellite and extension centre for IIS for Agriculture Entrepreneurship, Value Chain, Seaweed Farming, and Rural Development. CSR initiatives for internships and research.
• University of GlasgowmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed on Gujarat Day for sustainable development collaboration. Dr. Cecilia Tortajada from University of Glasgow participated in white paper discussion on Water Conservation.
• DRDOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for Joint Projects & FPO formation to promote Natural Farming in presence of Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat.
• Gujarat Organic Agriculture UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for holistic approach towards Value Chain Management, Natural Farming training, research, student/faculty exchange, joint projects & joint programmes.
• Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and ForestrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for acquiring holistic approach towards Value Chain Management, Horticulture, Natural Farming and Agribusiness Development.
• Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for Student/Faculty exchange, Joint projects & Joint Programmes in presence of Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat.
• Indian Institute of Foreign TrademajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed with aim of connecting Natural Farming with Foreign Trade in presence of Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat.
• University of Cape Coast, GhanamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed to strengthen links for cooperation in Science, technology, and sustainability. Both Vice Chancellors were present for signing. Will boost relations between India and Ghana.
• SOAS University of London, UKmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration for sustainability research and academic programs
• Tashkent State University, UzbekistanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic collaboration
• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for cooperative development and agricultural initiatives
• Climate Change Department, Government of GujaratcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for climate change initiatives, seminars on World Ozone Day, and ClimateTech Accelerator program
• GEDA (Gujarat Energy Development Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for World Ozone Day seminar and climate change events

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• XIM University: Bhubaneswar-based university with sustainability, rural management, and agribusiness programs and a Climate Action focus area. Comparable curriculum overlap with IIS, but with an older, larger private-university operating model and a broader pan-India student base.

Direct peers

• TERI School of Advanced Studies: India's dedicated sustainability-focused higher education institution offering M.Sc., M.Tech, and Ph.D. programs in sustainability, energy, and climate. Most directly comparable to IIS given its mission of sustainability scholarship, government-funded research, and specialized graduate programs.
• Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA): Premier Indian institute offering PGDM and degree programs in rural management, agripreneurship, and development sector leadership. Closely comparable to IIS's PG Diploma in Rural Management & Sustainability and MBA in Agripreneurship, with overlapping student/placement partnerships in the development sector.
• National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR): Central government institute offering training, research, and consulting in rural development, livelihoods, and natural farming. Comparable to IIS in government-driven training programs, sustainability curricula, and rural management capacity-building for civil servants and BDSPs.

Broad incumbents

• Ashoka University - Centre for Climate and Sustainability: Private multidisciplinary university with a dedicated centre for climate and sustainability research and policy. Comparable as a higher-education sustainability platform, but with a broader liberal-arts portfolio and a substantially larger fee-paying student base than IIS.
• IIM Ahmedabad - Centre for Sustainability and CSR: Premier Indian business school offering sustainability, agribusiness, and rural development electives within its flagship MBA and executive programs. Comparable as a top-tier sustainability education brand with strong placement outcomes and corporate/government partnerships.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) - Centre for Sustainable Technologies: Premier Indian research institution with a dedicated Centre for Sustainable Technologies offering M.Tech and Ph.D. programs. Comparable for the research-led sustainability higher-education model, though focused on engineering/technology rather than rural management.
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) - School of Habitat Studies: Premier social-science university with programs in climate change, sustainability, and rural livelihoods. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary sustainability higher education platform, though anchored in social-work tradition rather than agriculture/natural farming.
• CTARA, IIT Bombay: Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas at IIT Bombay focusing on rural development, sustainability education, and M.Tech/Ph.D. programs. Comparable in subject-matter focus (rural sustainability, agricultural development, technology-enabled development practice), though anchored in a much larger IIT ecosystem.

Emerging players

• School of Rural Development & Technology, IIT Guwahati: Department focused on rural development and technology, offering rural-focused M.Tech and Ph.D. programs. Comparable for the rural-sustainability research agenda and use of technology in development practice, though within a larger IIT system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indian-institute-of-sustainability-gujarat-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University