This research aims to investigate the level of awareness, perception, and readiness of management students regarding leadership development and succession planning. As organizations operate in an increasingly competitive environment, developing future leaders and ensuring leadership continuity have become strategic priorities. Sowers (2025) emphasized that educational institutions play a critical role in preparing management students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for future leadership responsibilities. This preparation enhances graduates' employability by equipping them with capabilities that align with organizational expectations

In addition to leadership competencies, employability increasingly depends on graduates' ability to work effectively in diverse and inclusive environments. Mohanty and Acharya (2014) highlighted that organizations promoting gender diversity through equitable policies, inclusive workplace practices, and equal career advancement opportunities are more successful in retaining a committed and diverse workforce. Their findings suggest that diversity management is an integral component of sustainable leadership development. Consequently, management graduates who possess inclusive leadership skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to manage diverse teams are better positioned to meet contemporary workplace demands. These competencies not only strengthen their employability but also prepare them for leadership roles and effective participation in organizational succession planning.

Primary data was obtained through a structured questionnaire administered to management students and young working professionals. The survey assessed respondents' understanding of leadership development, participation in leadership-building activities, awareness of succession planning, and perceived leadership readiness. These dimensions are consistent with competency-based learning approaches that emphasize continuous learning, self-directed development, and technology-enabled capability building in preparing future leaders (Noe et al., 2014; Yadav et al., 2024).

Descriptive analysis shows that respondents are aware of the necessity of having leadership skills and are engaged in various activities aimed at developing these skills. At the same time, respondents demonstrate average awareness of the topic of succession planning and the weak impact of practical experience on the results. According to correlation analysis, there is a positive connection between leadership development, succession planning awareness, and leadership readiness.(Dutra et al., 2021)

The findings highlight a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, emphasising the need for more experiential learning opportunities. The study concludes that improving leadership development initiatives and increasing awareness of succession planning can enhance leadership readiness. It also provides insights for educational institutions and organisations to strengthen their approaches toward developing future leaders.