Updated on Apr 3, 2024 05:33 IST

Executive MBA is one of the most sought-after professional courses among career professionals who have a substantial amount of work experience and wish to progress further in their careers. The knowledge imparted to the candidates during the course allows them to be better professionals and become C-suite leaders one day. The course curriculum is designed in a way that there are interactive sessions, case studies, and practical exposure to boost your mental capability, hone your skills, and take you one step ahead in your professional career.
Different methods are used to train the individual on industry-related aspects. Sometimes there are interactive discussions, workshops, games, field trips, and group activities. The course further covers activities and aspects that shape you as a better individual when it comes to your soft skills by entailing you with necessary soft skills like good decision-making, problem-solving abilities, and professionalism to handle work pressure with maturity.

One can pursue this course easily in an online, or offline mode. Some of the prominent B-schools like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Indore also offer Executive MBAs in an offline mode. On the other hand, institutes like the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) and SP Jain Global University provide value in Executive MBA through part-time and online modes respectively. Though, the decision to pursue it in online, or offline mode wholly depends on one’s professional pursuits, and what one wants to gain from the course.

Executive MBA Course Highlights

Before we directly dive into the EMBA syllabus, the semester-wise division, and the top colleges offering it let’s first understand the basics of EMBA. In this table, we will understand the basics i.e. the course duration, the eligibility, and the average fees of EMBA.

EMBA Course Highlights

Information

Course Duration

Lesser than the Regular MBA programs. Can be pursued online, as well as in offline mode. The duration usually varies from 15-18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a work experience of 3- 5 years depending on the college. Should have 50% in their Bachelor’s Degree.

Course Fees

Since they are intended for working professionals, the course fees is a little higher than the regular MBA.

Fee range – INR 10 lakhs – 40 lakhs

Scope

Very promising scope in India, as more and more people are moving towards startups. Further, top companies also look for qualified MBA graduates to fill their higher-level, or C-suite positions.

Getting a brand name

Since the course is available at renowned B-schools like IIMs that further explains its importance, and adds a brand value and credibility to the name of the student.

EMBA topics you might be interested in: How to choose the right Executive MBA Course

Executive MBA Syllabus

The below table includes the list of subjects included in the curriculum of Executive MBA programs. Students get knowledge of various subjects including Financial Management, Corporate Responsibility, and Organizational Behavior. Students, who are already working professionals, come across complex management problems that they might face at top positions and how they need to handle those situations for the betterment of their firms.

Every EMBA aspirant wishes to pursue their degree from IIMs, because of the international importance these B-schools hold. The entire syllabus of the Executive MBA is divided into 2 years consisting of various specialized subjects. The subjects aim to cover all the essential aspects of management studies. This table will give candidates a basic understanding of the subjects in each term as per IIM Nagpur.

Term 1

Term 2

Business Statistics

Business Analytics

Managerial Economics

Marketing Management

Organizational Behavior

Managerial Accounting

-

Managerial Communication

Term 3

Term 4

Management Information System

Financial Management

Macro Economics

New age leadership

Operations Management

Strategic Management

Indian Ethos and Business Ethics

-

Term 5

Term 6

Business Research Methods

Financial Statement Analysis

Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Quality Management System

Business Law

Finance for MSME

Corporate Governance, CSR, and Sustainability

Project & Portfolio Management

-

IT Consulting

-

Supply Chain Management

Term 7

Services Marketing

Banking, Financial Marketing, and Systems

Business Contract Management

International Business

Service Operations Management

Digital Marketing in B2B

Note: These are the core and elective subjects in EMBA of IIM Nagpur, which may vary as per different colleges. Also, there are many other elective subjects except for the ones mentioned in Table 6 and Table 7. For more information, you can visit the website of any IIM.

Specializations in Executive MBA

The Executive MBA programs are usually shorter in length, unlike the regular MBA programs. The duration ranges from 1- 2 years depending on the university. Students have the option to pursue this professional course in several streams as per their interests and areas of work.

There are a few common specializations available in Executive MBA programs by several colleges are given in the table below:

Specializations

Course Details

Syllabus

EMBA Finance

Offered by all prestigious MBA B-schools.

Gives aspiring investors an understanding on making and investing money.

Gives a comprehensive understanding of topics to help them analyze company reports, predict market trends, and lower financial risks.

  •  Accounting and Financial Management
  • Human Resource and Organizational Behavior
  • Modern Business Organization and Management

 

EMBA Human Resource Management

Provides knowledge and training in all areas.

Gives knowledge on how a candidate can act as a bridge between the employer and the employee.

Most sought-after specialization.

  • Global Business Environment and Economics
  • Business Communication Skills
  • Human Resource Management

EMBA International Business

Paves the way for building a strong career in International trade and business.

Being International, opens the doors for an array of opportunities.

  • Production & Operation Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • International Business

EMBA Entrepreneurship

Provides students with all systems, approaches, and the right mindset to become leaders and entrepreneurs.

Gives a detailed understanding of how to develop business ideas, turn them into services or products, and bring them into the market as a profitable venture.

  • Research Methodology
  • Entrepreneurship Essentials
  • Data Analytics for Entrepreneurs

EMBA Marketing

Due to abundant career opportunities available, it is one of the most liked specializations by candidates.

Dire need of every company, either domestic or foreign.

Is needed to work on different organizational functions like promotions, commercials, sales, media, and entertainment.

  • Consumer Behavior
  • Fundamentals of Advertising
  • Strategic Marketing Management

EMBA Retail Management

Currently a booming industry for the nation.

Meant for people passionate about marketing, advertising, market research, and segmentation.

Provides applicants with the required knowledge to deal with tactics, and methods to generate greater revenues keeping customer satisfaction as the top priority.

  • Retail Operations Management
  • International Retailing
  • Retail Planning

EMBA Information Technology

Gives the owners a thorough understanding of human resource management, e-commerce, and industry.

Along with IT expertise, the course also prepares the candidates for managerial roles.

  • IT Sales Management
  • Project Management
  • Business Analytics and Valuation

Entrance Exams for Executive MBA
Since there has been so much discussion about EMBA, and how to enroll in the course. It is a course that take admissions through entrance and merit both it becomes integral to know about the entrance exams. This table highlights all the important and recognized entrance tests one can take to get accepted in a B-school, and pursue their Executive MBA. 

Name of Examination

Highlights

Common Admission Test (CAT)

  • National-level Management Aptitude test
  • Accepted by 20 IIMs and 1200 other B-schools.
  • Computer-based test
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • In the format of Multiple Choice Questions

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)

  • Accepted by 1300 B-schools in India
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • In the format of MCQs

Management Aptitude Test (MAT)

  • Conducted 4 times in a year – February, May, September, and December
  • Accepted by 800 B-schools in India
  • Difficulty level – moderate to easy
  • In the format of MCQs

Karnataka Post Graduation Common Entrance Test (Karnataka PGCET )

  • Administered by Karnataka Post Graduate Private Colleges’ Association.
  • Relevant for students seeking admission in PGDM, MBA, and MCA.
  • Duration – 2.5 hours
  • In the format of MCQs.

 Popular Books and Authors for Executive MBA

After getting an understanding of various entrance exams, students might be searching for the best books that can make them exam-ready. The below table represents the names of popular books with their author and details that will be helpful to executives going for this professional course.

Book

Author

Details

Financial Accounting for Executive MBA

 

Lucky Yona

This book will fulfill the requirements of executives who take a course module on financial accounting. The topic matter is given straightforwardly throughout the book, which will make it fun for the readers as well as interesting. 

Insider’s Guide to the Executive MBA

 

Jason A Price

 

This book will provide detailed knowledge about the MBA program to the working executives and how they can bring proficiency in their work as they reach the top positions.

The Executive MBA in Information Security

John T Trinckes

 

This book offers the resources required to guarantee that your company has a successful information security management program in place. It also offers tried-and-true advice for avoiding typical errors as well as a ready-to-use security architecture for creating functional programs.

 

The Executive MBA for Engineers and Scientists

 

James J Farley

The business principles and applications that today's technical managers need to be aware of are covered in this book designed for the Executive MBA hailing from engineering and science backgrounds.

Executive MBA Guide to Global Strategy and Strategic Planning

 

Shyam Jha

 

This book is designed for busy executives and business heads who want to learn strategy development and strategic planning in simple language.

Relevant links EMBA Course:                                       

Distance Executive MBA Courses

Executive MBA is a program planned for working executives. Hence, it is available in Open and Distance Learning mode. Several management colleges are offering Executive MBAs in distance learning mode. This course is developed carefully and will help students develop strong general leadership and management skills and abilities that will provide the groundwork for a successful career.  Furthermore, it will help them in reaching top management positions.

Some of the top management colleges offering distance learning in MBA courses are:

Table of contents
  • Popular Executive MBA Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Executive MBA Colleges in India
  • Popular Executive MBA Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Popular Executive MBA Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Executive MBA Colleges in India. Learn more about these Executive MBA colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 Course
35 L
34.41 LPA

#1 Business Today

1 Course
26.5 L
33.1 LPA

#2 Business Today

15.95 L
5.0

#9 Business Today

18 L
24.45 LPA
42 L
1 Course
6.93 L
4.5

Popular Private Executive MBA Colleges in India

14.21 L
3 L

Executive MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

11.4 L

#12 Business Today

5 L
5 L
2 Courses
3.25 L
8 LPA

Executive MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Executive MBA Specializations

Following are the most popular Executive MBA Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Following are the top ranked colleges for Executive MBA based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).
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Student Forum

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Answered 2 days ago

1 year full time Executive MBA at XIM University is a programme designed for working professionals featuring four terms. It provides industry oriented management education, focusing on strategic leadership, finance & marketing.

R

Rakshit Prabhakar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

No, the WEMAT is not a mandatory entrance exam of Executive MBA admissions at IIM Shillong. Interested candidates can also apply for admissions through the scores of either CAT or GMAT as well to qualify.

However, only the scores obtained in the CAT and GMAT of specified year will be accepted. If the

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

No, the registrations for all accepted entrance exams of IIM Shillong Executive MBA has been closed at this point. For Executive MBA admissions at IIM Shillong, candidates need to appear for the WEMAT exam. This exam is scheduled in the month of April of previous year.

Candidates interested in applyi

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

No, the IIM Shillong Executive MBA admissions have been closed for the academic year 2026. The last date to apply for theIIM Shillong Executive MBA courses was January 14th 2026. The interview rounds were also conducted in the same month. 

Candidates who failed to apply during this window are now req

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The IIM Shillong Executive MBA fees is INR 12.7 Lacs for the academic year 2026. This fees is a combination of all instalments of tuition fees, campus immersion fees, acceptance fees, refundable security deposit and alumni deposit. These fee components are either charged on per annum or per semester

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

For Emirates Aviation University E-MBA course, students are required to have a Bachelor's degree or a licensed AMA / Pilot with a minimum of 5 years or Higher Diploma with a 5 years of experience minimum or any other qualification related to PG centre. An IELTS score of 7.0 or TOEFL score of 91. 

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Emirates Aviation University Executive MBA course is 1-2 years long. The programme fees is AED 138,000 per year (Around INR 34.4 lakh). Students can apply for this course online only. For admission to this course, Indian students are required to have a Bachelor's degree. 

C

Chandra Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, there are some options for Distance and Online Executive MBA (EMBA) programs in India which are basically designed for working professionals who are seeking career advancement without career breaks.

Some of the colleges that provide Distance Executive MBA are -

  • Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
  • SIE

...Read more

P

Pallavi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

If you really want to have a successful career after an Executive MBA in HR then you need to have the skills that I have mentioned below -

  • Strategic leadership
  • Advanced data analytics
  • High-level interpersonal skills 
  • Talent management
  • Proficiency in HR technology (e.g., HRIS, AI)

A

Aashi Rai

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes! there are a lot of elective subjects that are available in Executive MBA (EMBA) programs, allowing working professionals to tailor their learning to specific career goals or industries.

You can choose electives from the below mentioned options:

  • Economic Growth and Development
  • Entrepreneurship, Cre

...Read more

S

Shruti Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, candidates do not need to clear a UG level business course in order to be eligible to apply for IIM Calcutta Executive MBA admissions.

A graduating degree of any UG level course makes a candidates eligible for the Executive MBA course.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Students of IIM Calcutta will be charged four instalments of the Executive MBA fees. The schedule for due fees of IIM Calcutta Executive MBA in 2026 is yet to be revealed. In 2025, the schedule was as follows:

First Instalment - At the time of Admission

Second Instalment - March 15th 2025

Third Instalm

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The IIM Calcutta Executive MBA course fees is currently unknown for the academic year 2026. In 2025, the fees was INR 33.50 lakh. The aforementioned fees will be charged in four parts throughout the duration of the course. 

Three of the four cost INR 10.5 Lacs while the first one only costs INR 2 lak

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

IIM Calcutta usually opens the admissions to the Executive MBA course in the month of July of the preceding year. Thus, candidates can expect the IIM Calcutta Executive MBA admissions for 2027 to open around the same month. 

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, the admissions to IIM Calcutta Executive MBA course have been closed for the academic year 2026 at this point. The admissions to the IIM Calcutta Executive MBA course were closed on November 26th 2025. Candidates who applied during the application window were interviewed during December 13th and

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

MGM Institute of Management and Research offers a one-year Executive MBA programme at the PG level. Aspirants need to complete graduation to apply for the course. Admission to EMBA is based on MAH MBA CET, CAT, MAT, CMAT and other scores of the candidates. There are 30 seats in the Executive MBA pro

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 3 weeks ago

The IIM kozhikode EPGP admission fees is one instalment of the first year fees for the course. In 2025, the EPGP admission fees stood at INR 1 lakh.

The EPGP admission fees is yet to be revealed for the 2026 admissions. However, candidates can expect the admission fees to be same as last year for IIM

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The fees for EPGP courses at IIM Kozhikode is currently unknown. Usually, the institute reveals the EPGP fees when the admissions to the course are opened. Thus, candidates are required to check the website of IIM Kozhikode when EPGP admission 2026 are opened.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, the EMAT admissions for the IIM Kozhikode Executive MBA admission 2026 are open. Currently, the 5th phase of EMAT registrations is open. The results for the 4th phase will be revealed soon for IIM Kozhikode Executive MBA admissions.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The IIM Kozhikode Executive MBA admissions for the academic year 2026 are not opened yet. If the candidates have not obtained a valid EMAT score, the last date to register for the exam is on March 10th 2026. The remaining deadlines will be revealed later.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The eligibility criteria for Executive MBA at IIM Shillong is to qualify the UG programme with 50% marks from the recognised university. It is mandatory to qualify the CAT entrance exam for admission. The institute accepts admisison through the offical page.

A

Abhay Arora

Contributor-Level 10

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