Management Capability Development Index (MCDI) India 2024 Report

KPMG in India, in collaboration with the All India Management Association (AIMA), has released the ‘Management Capability Development Index (MCDI) India 2024 report’ at AIMA’s 10^th National Leadership Conclave. The report offers a deep dive into how leaders and managers across sectors perceive their management capabilities, benchmark practices, and prioritise future growth areas. Against a backdrop of geopolitical shifts, environmental concerns, and rapid technological disruption, it highlights the urgent need for resilient, empathetic, and future-ready leadership in India.

Now in its seventh edition, the MCDI survey draws insights from 200 senior leaders, including CEOs, CXOs, and other top executives across industries. It assesses organisational maturity across ten dimensions such as visionary leadership, performance leadership, people leadership and self-development, integrity and corporate governance, and focus on results. Participants rated the urgency and impact of each capability, providing a rich dataset segmented by demographics. The findings offer a valuable benchmark for organisations looking to build competitive leadership capabilities in a fast-evolving environment.

Key findings of the report

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MCDI score slipped by ~8.3% since 2011, from around 76 to 69.7 in 2024, reflecting stagnant growth in management capabilities.

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Integrity and corporate governance maintained the highest ranking across a decade, showing no major decline and reflecting stable ethical leadership focus.

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Focus on getting results pulls off a stunning turnaround — from the worst-rated in 2014 to leading the charts in 2024, thanks to a growing results-driven mindset across Indian enterprises.

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Innovation and adaptability became the lowest performing dimension in 2024, a worrying fall of approximately 10% since 2011.

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External relationships, financial leadership, and integrity and corporate governance scores declined year-on-year from 2022, signaling emerging concerns around adaptability and forward-planning.

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Core capabilities like organisation capability and application of technology and knowledge show only modest improvements over the years, hinting at deeper systemic gaps.

Way forward recommendations

Lead digital innovation and transformation

Champion the adoption of AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies while embedding ethics, transparency, and sustainability at the core of digital strategies to stay competitive and responsible.
Strengthen people-first leadership

Foster inclusive, empathetic leadership that prioritises emotional intelligence, continuous learning, and employee well-being to create high-performing, future-ready teams.
Reimagine talent value proposition

Adapt to shifting work models by offering a compelling employee experience, balancing flexibility with meaningful in-office engagement to attract and retain top talent.
Align financial strategy with sustainable growth

Integrate financial planning with broader organisational impact goals, while strengthening risk management frameworks to navigate economic uncertainties effectively.
Embed agility and a culture of experimentation

Promote cross-functional collaboration, encourage experimentation, and empower employees to drive continuous innovation and adapt swiftly to changing market needs.
Elevate governance, compliance, and trust

Mitigate risks by conducting regular audits, investing in employee compliance training, enhancing data governance practices, and using technology for proactive monitoring.

This comprehensive report by AIMA and KPMG in India serves as a valuable resource for organisations seeking to build a more inclusive and gender-balanced leadership pipeline.