MBA Admissions in India: Colleges, Courses and Entrance Exams
MBA Admissions in India: Colleges, Courses and Entrance Exams
What is Master of Business Administration (MBA)? MBA or Master of Business Administration is an internationally accredited post-graduate degree that hones and develops business and management skills in individuals striving to become future business leaders and entrepreneurs. A typical MBA degree covers a wide range of business fields such as accounting, marketing and management. However, pursuing an MBA degree does not limit an individual to a career in management. Those interested in establishing a profession in the private, government or public sectors can also benefit from an MBA degree.
A majority of MBA courses in India include a core curriculum of subjects, such as accounting, economics, marketing, and operations, as well as elective courses that give individuals an opportunity to pursue their personal or professional interests. Certain business schools require that MBA candidates complete an internship in a company or organization, which can further their prospects of landing concrete job opportunities after the completion of their studies.
An MBA offers recognition and leadership that cannot be earned in the workplace alone. It prepares an individual to work and function in a diverse range of business organizations, thus expanding one’s potential and expertise. An MBA opens up a world of career opportunities for such degree holders.
Synopsis of MBA Training in India
| Course Level | Post Graduation |
| Duration | Two year Program with 4 semesters |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Graduation with Min 50% marks for general category |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exams; Popular are CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, CMAT and more |
| Course Fee | INR 1,00,000 to 21 Lacs (All Semesters) |
| Starting Salary | INR 4 to 112 lacs per annum |
| Top Recruiters | ITC, Citibank, HSBC, Larson & Tubro, Philips, Nestle, Amazon, Infosys and more |
Top colleges and universities teaching MBA in India
There are more than 2000 colleges and universities teaching MBA in India. These colleges are located in the Government and Private Sector. The most popular of them are the Indian Institutes of Management located in India.
Top B-Schools in India (According to NIRF Rankings)
Type of Programs
While two-year MBA programs are still more common in India, one-year MBA programs have become increasingly popular. Part-time and online programs are also widely available for professionals who are not willing to, or who are unable to pursue full-time programs due to personal or professional constraints. Executive MBA programs in India target individuals with more years of managerial experience as compared to traditional MBA candidates.
Subjects taught in MBA
Subjects will vary according to the specialization opted for. However a few of these subjects are the same in all specializations.
Some main subjects involved in the pursuit of an MBA are
| Principles of Management |
| Managerial Economics |
| Accounting for Managers |
| Business Legislation |
| Business Communication & Information Systems |
| Research Methodology & Quantitative Techniques |
| Human Resource Management & Organizational Behaviour |
| Financial Management |
| Marketing Management |
| Operations Management |
| Cost Accounting |
| Economic Environment of Business |
| Strategic Management |
| Summer Internship Project Assessment |
| Project Management OR Environment Management |
| Business Ethics & Corporate Governance |
| Entrepreneurship Development |
| International Business Management OR Agri-Business Management |
Eligibility and Admission criteria
Admission to an MBA program is strictly on the basis of management entrance tests conducted at national, state and institute levels. These exams are held across the country or within a campus, if the exam is unique to that particular university.
Eligibility criteria
The minimum eligibility criteria for admission to a Master of Business Administration program is at least a 3-year bachelor's degree with at least 50 percent marks or equivalent CGPA from a UGC recognized board, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. For individuals belonging to an SC/ST or PWD category, a minimum of 45 percent marks or equivalent CGPA is required. The bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate entails a minimum of three years of education after the completion of higher secondary schooling. In the case of candidates being awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the equivalence would be based on the equivalence certified by the university/institution from where the bachelor’s degree has been obtained.
National level entrance exams are listed here
State governments also conduct tests for admission to government as well as private MBA colleges in their respective states.
Popular State level entrance exams are listed here
| Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GCET) |
| University of Hyderabad’s CET (UOHYD) |
| Kerela Management Aptitude Test (KMAT) |
| Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) |
There are various management schools in India that also conduct individual management entrance tests for admission to their respective colleges.
A few of the individual entrance exams are listed here
Process of admission after the marks are declared in central or state exams
After the MBA entrance test score is declared, candidates can check various B-school admission cut-offs as specified by the respective schools. If eligible, a candidate can apply to the business school, following which, he or she will have to undergo further testing in the form of Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews.
Types of MBA programs and their duration
Full-time MBA
A Full-time MBA comprises of 4 semesters and is a two-year program. It includes dissertation and project work, industrial training and summer internship. Candidates may choose their respective major and minor specialization subjects.
Executive MBA
An Executive MBA is specially designed for working executives so that they can pursue their career and degree together. It is also known as EMBA. This program enables working professionals to enhance their growth prospects and further their careers. It is an upgradation of the managerial skills of professionals. The course curriculum comprises of personal development, inter-relationships between various business operations, adopting a scientific approach while dealing with different business aspects, and handling responsibilities of senior management reliably. The course duration can vary from 1-2 years.
Part-time MBA
A Part-time MBA is mostly pursued by those individuals who are unable to devote their time to a full-time MBA. The reasons may be personal or professional. Various business schools offer this program. The course duration is usually 3 years. Some classes need to be attended! At times classes are held over the weekends or in the evening.
Distance Learning MBA
Distance Learning MBA or MBA by correspondence implies that candidates do not need to attend classes, or may only attend a limited number of classes during the course duration. Study material is home delivered by mail, email, or online videos. Centres for examinations are designated. Many business schools have a Department of Distance Education that offers this program. The course duration may vary from 2-5 years.
Online MBA
An Online MBA as the name suggests, is offered online via the internet. Along with online lessons and other forms of virtual study, conventional study material may also be provided. The course duration may vary from 1-2 years.
MBA Specializations
Some common specializations of MBA are briefly explained below-
- An MBA in Accounting is one of the most popular MBA courses in India. The program offers an individual with varied prospects as it emphasises developing skills that are essential for the operation and control of accounting information systems of companies and organisations. The program can be pursued as a full-time or a part-time degree. Individuals having an undergraduate degree in accounting or in commerce as well as those not from a commerce background can apply to the full-time courses. However, the part-time courses are Executive MBA programs that are suitable for professionals with a few years of work experience.
- An MBA in Human Resources possesses immense potential. It deals in several aspects of the functioning of an organisation. Along with honing the skills of an individual, it provides mastery in the fields of corporate headhunting, compensation management and business coaching. The HR program in MBA teaches subjects like organizational development, business analysis and employee recruitment. An MBA in HR is a boon to those candidates seeking success at the corporate level.
- An MBA in Finance perfects one’s accounting skills by inculcating teachings that sharpens one’s existing skills set. Finance is an integral part of any organisation, and is often handled by math and account experts. Recruiters also value the refined and specialised knowledge possessed by an individual who has an MBA degree in Finance. This program prepares individuals for leadership roles in financial corporations, healthcare industries and government sectors. Candidates extensively learn the finer aspects of corporate finances such as conducting analysis, managing portfolios, and developing business strategies.
- An MBA in Marketing offers specialized courses in consumer behaviour, brand and product management, promotions and marketing strategies, apart from the regular courses including advanced business strategies, human resources and finance. A degree in marketing prepares an individual for a fast-paced business of developing, marketing, and selling products to various consumer markets. This MBA program trains a candidate to develop a variety of business skills which can then be applied and transferred to other business arenas.
- An MBA in Economics is a versatile management program that teaches an individual the basics of economic decision-making, and focuses on various practical aspects of business and commerce. The goal of this program is to develop a clear mindset in individuals to maximize any business's potential. An economic graduate will be able to set up a business considering the local market, and anticipate its growth and development keeping in mind both the local as well as international market standards. Many of the jobs that attract graduates with an Economics MBA degree involve a lot of decision making and supervisory roles. This degree imparts theoretical knowledge which can then be put to practical use in almost all aspects of business.
The following are some other specializations of MBA:
| Business Management |
| E-Business/E-Commerce |
| Global Management |
| Information Systems |
| Strategic/Risk Management |
| Technology Management |
| Leadership Programs |
| Media |
| Non-profit and Government |
| Operations and Logistics |
| Organizational |
| Sports management |
| Systems |
| Aviation Management |
| Family Business and Entrepreneurship |
| Hospital and Health Care |
| Hospitality Management |
| Media and Entertainment Management |
| Automobile Dealership Management |
| Defence Technology Management |
| Fashion Management |
| Investment Management |
| Power Management |
| Supply Chain |
| Pharma |
| Oil and Gas |
| NGO Management |
| Digital Marketing |
| Finance |
| Marketing |
| International Business |
Examination Schedule
The medium of instruction and examination is English. As per the Academic Calendar, examinations are conducted at the end of each semester. Each subject course will carry a total of 100 marks out of which 50 marks are reserved for internal assessments, and 50 marks are for the written examinations at the semester end. The duration of each written examination is 3 hours. The internal assessment marks are based on factors such as participation in discussions/case studies, seminars, group activities, class tests, mid-term tests, written assignments, and viva-voce.
The weightage given to each factor will be announced at the beginning of the semester, and the marks shall be shown to candidates in their respective mark sheets.
Pass Percentage
The minimum aggregate pass percentage marks at the end of each semester is 45%. And the minimum pass percentage marks in each subject at the end of each semester is 40%. If either of the two conditions are not fulfilled, then the candidate may reappear in the corresponding subject paper to secure the minimum marks required to pass that semester. A candidate will only be given four chances to reappear in a subject paper and obtain the necessary passing marks.
Promotion Criteria
A candidate must successfully clear 12 papers out of 16 papers offered during the first year of the MBA program to be promoted to the second year of the MBA program. The candidate will have to successfully clear any remaining papers in the second year. Also, the eligibility of a candidate being promoted to the second year depends upon the completion of summer training.
Reasons for popularity of MBA
- Higher Salary Potential: In comparison to other employees within any establishment, an MBA graduate is usually better and more heavily compensated.
- Be One’s Own Boss: With a Master of Business Administration, many graduates become young entrepreneurs. One can acquire the necessary knowledge and practices needed to develop and operate one’s own business.
- Brighter Career Opportunities: An MBA program provides a more diverse and larger work area for graduates to explore and expand their skill sets in.
- Ideal for Networking: Business schools provide a great base for MBA graduates to meet people. While pursuing an MBA program a candidate can easily encounter recruiters, key note speakers, old-school businessmen, new entrepreneurs, and fellow business aspirants. This consolidated network of people can prove to be beneficial in the future.
- Flexibility to work and study: An MBA program offers the flexibility to work and study together. Most MBAs are offered as a part-time course as well as a full-time course.
- Offers credibility: An MBA offers a candidate credibility. Those conducting business with an MBA graduate will be more relaxed and inclined to do so, in comparison to someone without an MBA. It attaches a label of competence and dedication to an individual.
- Augments Knowledge: Many MBA graduates have been thoroughly enlightened on certain aspects of life, especially those concerning operations within the business world. With an MBA, graduates acquire an in-depth view of the business world.
- Improves Communication Skills: An integral part of an MBA program is to teach candidates how to speak clearly and distinctively. They are taught the art of language, how to be more articulate, and how to effectively interact with others.
Placements and Job Opportunities
Good B-Schools give the best chance for placements with good companies. Usually the placements take place as campus recruitments held anytime in the final year of studies. The placement dates vary from one college to the other; the process usually takes three days. Many international and national companies participate in the recruitment drive and almost all students are recruited in IIMs and other top B-Schools. Consulting, Finance, Sales and Marketing are the most popular positions in demand across the institutes. In 2017, the highest salary within the domestic companies was 53 Lacs per annum, while the highest international offer was 82 lacs per annum. The lowest can be 3.5 lacs per annum and the range is very wide. The average works out to be 12 to 36 lacs per annum depending on the ranking of the B_School.
Accenture Strategy was the top hirer in IIM, Ahmedabad closely followed by Amazon and The Boston Consulting Group. A. T. Kearney, Bain & Co., Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey & Company, Monitor Deloitte, Oliver Wyman were the other regular recruiters who participated in the campus recruitment. Other companies include Tata, Nestle, Reliance, and many more.
Indian Institutes of Management
The IIMs or Indian Institutes of Management are a group of 20 institutes of management education and research in India. These are autonomous and public bodies They offer postgraduate, doctoral and executive education programmes. They are considered the best in India and are very popular amongst students. Top companies zoom into IIMs for placements.
Indian Institutes of Management in India with Fees and Seats
PGP Program at IIMs
The Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) is of two years’ duration and offers the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). It is the main programme across all IIMs and these are considered the equivalent of regular MBA programmes. However, since the passage of IIM Act, most IIMs have started offering Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
Programmes Offered by the IIMs in India
The IIMs are registered under Indian Societies Registration Act and are autonomous in their operations and working. The HRD Ministry plays a minimal role in the functioning of the IIMs. The programmes offered by IIMs are listed below:
- Full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) or Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP)
- Executive Management Programme
- PhD (Fellow Program in Management)
- Certificate courses, announced from time to time.
- Some tailor made programmes for specific purposes by individual IIMs
PGDM/PGP courses of two years duration, are considered equivalent to MBA.
Admissions in IITs and IIM CAT:
All the admissions to IIMs is through the exam CAT and subsequent interview process.
Details of CAT (Common Admission Test)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a management aptitude test conducted by the IIMs for admission to their two-year PGP programmes at all IIMs. It is usually announced in the month of July each year and the exam is held in November. It is the most competitive exams in the world, with a success rate of around two in four hundred students appearing for the exam. Even with the recent addition of new colleges, the acceptance rate at IIMs is around 1.714%, one of the lowest in the world.
The test is conducted across the country and a few centres overseas; it is an online test and conducted over a span of few weeks starting in November. The test is difficult and one has to prepare well for this test. There is lot of teaching material published in books as well as coaching centres available for preparing for CAT. Advice from alumni is very valuable if available!
The admissions for the two-year full-time programme is done by shortlisting based on CAT scores in conjunction with candidate profile suitability. This is followed by evaluation of essays and a panel-interview round. The quality of prior work experience and future leadership potential is a critical factor in the selections! The process is difficult and needs lot of practice.
Courses offered for selection by CAT
- PGPEM (Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management)
- PGP-ABM (Post Graduate Programme in Agri-Business Management)
- PGP-Mumbai (Post Graduate Programme at Mumbai)
- PGPSM (Post Graduate Programme in Securities Markets)
- PGPBM (Post Graduate Programme in Business Management)
- EPGPM (Executive Post Graduate Programme)
- PGP (Post Graduate Programme)
- PGPEX (Post Graduate Programme for Executives)
- PGPWE (Post Graduate Programme for Working Executive)
- PGPPM (Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management)
- PGDHRM (Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management)
- PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management)
- PGP-UAE (Post Graduate Programme at UAE)
Eligibility Criteria for IIM CAT
Please note that Eligibility criteria for admission through CAT may be different and specific to the institute. Usually for IIMs, the eligibility criteria are:
- A CAT aspirant must be a Graduate with minimum 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent from a recognised university
- Aspirant must have completed education up to graduation in 10+2+3 mode
- Candidates studying in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply.
Exam Pattern of IIM CAT Exam:
- As per the revised exam pattern, the exam paper consisted of 3 sections carrying a total of 100 questions. Quantitative Aptitude (QA) had 34 questions, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) had 32 questions and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) had 34 sections.
CAT Selection Process or Common Admission Process (CAP)
CAT Selection Process is same for all the IIMs and follow the following steps:
- Screening of candidates on the basis of CAT score
- Written Ability Test/Group Discussion/Personal Interview (WAT/GD/PI)
- Computation of Composite Score and Final Selection
IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Rohtak, IIM Tiruchirappalli, IIM Udaipur, IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur and IIM Jammu - have one selection process called the Common Admission Process (CAP). In this process, WAT-PI round is common for all these campuses. The candidates will not have to appear in WAT-PI round of each of these campuses separately.
CAT Exam Day General Instructions
Candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test have to follow certain instruction, which are mentioned on the admit cards issued online. This will prevent last minute glitches and the the candidate can focus on just taking the exam in peace of mind!
A few instructions are mentioned below, but these are liable to be appended each year and the candidate should read instructions on the admit card.
A few important points are mentioned below:
Documents required:
- Admit card: Admit card is mandatory and must be carried to the exam centre. Entry will not be given to candidates who fail to carry the same. Usually admit cards are available for download from October onwards.
- Identity Proof: Along with the admit card, candidates need to carry a photo identity provided by the Government of India. Candidates can carry any of the mentioned documents: College ID (must be supported with a valid debit/credit card), Employer ID, Driving License, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar card or UID.
- Name change degree document (only if applicable): In case a candidate’s name has been changed due to any event, he/she will be required to carry name change degree document that supports the name change.
Items not to carry to the Exam Centre:
- Calculator, watch, phone, ipad or any other electronic item
- Bags and purses
- Books
- Eatables
- Jewellery and accessories that contain metal
- Jackets and clothes with pockets
- Closed footwear
IMPORTANT: Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body are required to carry an appropriate Medical Certificate
Common Admission Procedure (CAP)
Once the CAT results are announced, the process of shortlisting starts. Just clearing the test does not ensure admission in IIM.
Common Admission Process (CAP) is the procedure followed by the IIMs to allocate seats to the CAT shortlisted candidates. The CAP could vary from one institute to the other. The latest established IIMs have a common CAP to follow. The older IIMs have their own Admission Process based on many other factors including CAT score.
The sequence is as follows:
- CAT Results are announced
- Individual IIMs will prepare a shortlist based on their shortlisting criteria. These shortlists will be combined for further processing by the coordinating IIM. Each year this IIM will be different. The shortlisting criteria for all the participating IIMs in the CAP process are the same. The processes might change each year!
- From the combined list, Candidates will be called for a Common Personal Interview & Written Analysis Test (PI & WAT).
- The WAT, PI is conducted by the IIMs combined and on a common mode. (The GD is not applicable for the new IIM’s).
- Admission status is made available on the Common Admission website in 3rd week of January.
- Request for change of centre for PI & WAT have to reach the admission cell/e-mail ID of conducting IIM on or before the first week of February. These requests are accommodated solely at the discretion of Conducting IIM and communicated to candidates.
- Each IIM takes the PI & WAT score; of the candidates shortlisted by them and combine it with other scores-CAT Score, Profile score and any other score to make their own individual merit list to make final offers to the candidates.
- Only PI & WAT are conducted commonly for the IIMs participating in CAP
- The final merit list of candidates is arrived by each IIM according to its own selection criteria.
- These criteria are available on the websites of the respective institutes.
- Attending the CAP WAT&PI process is compulsory for all the shortlisted candidates.
- Scores from the older IIMs are not considered.
Note: CAP dates are usually fixed after a gap of 2 weeks from the CAT results announcements so that candidates gets time to prepare. The shortlisted candidates receive the dates on their emails. The interview centres for CAP were Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai.
CAP: Important Dates
- Declaration of Shortlist: 3rd Week January
- Announcement of CAP dates: 3rd Week, January
- Call for CAP to Shortlisted candidates: 3rd Week January
- Last date to apply for change of CAP center: 1st Week, February
- CAP start date: Mid February
- CAP end date: 2nd week of March
Note: Please note there is no Group Discussion (GD) round in IIMs-Common Admission Process (CAP). Since each IIM prepares its own merit list, it is also expected that a candidate may get multiple admission offers from the different participating IIMs.
Components of New IIMs CAP
Common Admission Process (CAP) for 9 or 11 new IIMs consisted of two components as final selection round called final admission stage. The shortlisted candidates for CAP appeared for:
1. Common Written Analysis Test (WAT), and 2. Personal Interview (PI)
All the 9 or 11 CAP participating new IIMs announced their shortlisting criteria independent of others and despite going for Common Admission Process (CAP), final merit list was generated by each of them separately.
Coordination process between New and old IIMs
Students shortlisted for some older IIMs might not have to appear for the CAP, as some of the older IIMs share their PA scores with conducting IIM. Those candidates who have been called by more than 1 older IIM will have their scores averaged across the IIMs where they have been interviewed. Finally, the scores of PA Process will be shared with the other IIMs participating in CAP, who will then make their own merit lists according to the normalized scores.
Synopsis of IIM CAT in India
| Name of exam | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Frequency | Once a Year |
| Conducted by | IIMs by rotation |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Exam Dates | Spread over a few weeks; usually in November |
| Exam Announcement | Usually in July |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Help-line | Liable to change; 1800 266 3549 (Toll Free) |
