MBA Courses 2026: Top Specialisations, Eligibility, Fees, Admission, Top Colleges, Distance Learning, Online

Updated on Nov 1, 2023 11:10 IST

MBA course is a popular postgraduate program in India, and there are numerous MBA courses available across the country. MBA courses are offered by various universities, colleges, and business schools. 

MBA courses are nowadays essential for a rewarding management career. Companies across sectors expect their prospective employees to have prior training in Business Management and leadership. MBA courses are one of the most sought-after postgraduate degrees in India and abroad. MBA courses are the preferred choice for students from every stream. 

MBA courses include various specializations that offer the opportunity to focus on specific areas of business and management that align with candidates’ career goals and interests. Some of the highly popular MBA specialisations are Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operations, and IT

Also Read:

How to prepare for CAT 2025?

MBA Courses Highlights

Check the key highlights of the MBA courses in the table below.

Particulars

Details

Duration

2 years

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree in any discipline (50% or equivalent)

Entrance Exams

CAT, MAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, etc.

Specializations

Curriculum

Varied curriculum covering core business subjects, electives, internships, and projects

Teaching Method

Classroom-based, online, or a combination of both; case studies, group projects

Industry Interaction

Guest lectures, industrial visits, internships, and placements in reputed companies

Accreditation

Accredited by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and UGC

Also Read:

PGDM Vs MBA: Know the difference between PGDM and MBA

Types of MBA Courses

MBA courses are two-year courses divided into four to six semesters. The MBA courses include internships at the end of the first year and campus placements in the final year. In the first year of MBA courses, candidates are taught core subjects and in the second year, they are given an option to choose an MBA specialisation. 

Popular MBA Courses

There are various types of MBA courses. Some are taught in full-time mode, whereas some are taught in part-time mode. Some MBA programmes are degree courses whereas some of them are diploma courses. Here’s a brief description of the types of MBA courses:

Courses

Details

MBA Degree Courses

  • MBA is a full-time two-year course divided into four to six semesters. 
  • The MBA courses include internships at the end of the first year and campus placements in the final year. 
  • There are about 5,000 full-time MBA colleges in India

MBA Diploma Courses

  • MBA Diploma courses are popularly known as PGDM or PGP programmes. 
  • These courses are available in full-time, part-time, distance as well and online modes. 
  • The pedagogy, syllabus and recognition of MBA diploma courses are the same as degree courses. 
  • The only difference is universities award an MBA degree whereas institutes can award only a diploma.

Distance MBA 

  • These are the MBA degree programmes that are taught in distance education mode
  • Students can pursue this course while working on a 9-5 job or while pursuing another full-time course. 
  • The key benefit of a distance MBA course is that it is cheaper compared to a full-time MBA course. 
  • There are over 490 Distance MBA colleges in India. 

Part-Time MBA Courses

  • These courses are not residential programmes and are best suited for working professionals who wish to learn key managerial skills. 
  • In part-time MBA programmes, there are no campus placement or internship opportunities. 
  • Both private colleges and government universities offer part-time MBA courses. 
  • There are about 300 Part-Time MBA colleges in India

Online MBA

  • This type of MBA is a popular option among working professionals owing to its convenience and flexibility. 
  • In Online MBA, classes are conducted online and tests, assessments, etc. are done in the Learning Management System (LMS). 
  • There are no physical classes in this type of MBA so anyone can pursue a course in any university from any location. 
  • There are about 170 Online MBA colleges in India

Executive MBA

  • This programme is exclusively designed for working professionals with more than three to five years of work experience. 
  • Executive MBA is usually 15-18 months and includes physical classes. 
  • There are about 440 Executive MBA Colleges in India

5-year-Integrated MBA

  • This is a five-year dual degree MBA course which includes both UG and PG degrees. 
  • Minimum qualification required for Integrated MBA class 12 or HSc pass. 
  • BBA+MBA and BTech+MBA programmes are two of the most popular Integrated MBA programmes in India. 

Know More

MBA Specialisations

The MBA courses are available in various specialisations. Given below is the list of all specialisations offered by MBA colleges in India -

List of MBA specialisations

Finance

Agriculture & Food Business

Infrastructure

Advertising

Marketing

Materials Management

International Business

NGO Management

Sales

Oil & Gas

Disaster Management

Pharma

Human Resources

Retail

Energy & Environment

Project Management

Operations

Rural Management

Import & Export

Sports Management

Product

Supply Chain

IT & Systems

Telecom

Business Analytics

Textile Management

Healthcare & Hospital

Transport & Logistics

Digital Marketing

Forestry

Business Economics

Public Policy

Entrepreneurship

Hospitality

Also Read: List of MBA Specialisations: Which One to Choose?

Top 10 MBA Specialisations in India

MBA specialisations in India cater to a wide range of career interests and industry sectors. Here are some -

Specialisations

Course Fee Range (in INR)

Average Package Range (in INR)

Finance

INR 5 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh

INR 4 LPA - INR 10 LPA

Marketing

INR 3 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh

INR 5 LPA - INR 20 LPA

Human Resource Management (HRM)

INR 5 Lakh - INR 20 Lakh

INR 4 LPA - INR 8 LPA

Operations

INR 1 Lakh - INR 23 Lakh

INR 10 LPA - INR 25 LPA

IT Management

INR 5 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh

INR 3 LPA - INR 6 LPA

International Business

INR 5 Lakh and INR 15 Lakh

INR 6 LPA - INR 20 LPA

Entrepreneurship

INR 2 Lakh - INR 25 Lakh

INR 4 LPA - INR 15 LPA

Hospital Management

INR 2 Lakh - INR 10 Lakh

INR 4 LPA - INR 10 LPA

Rural Management

INR 1 Lakh - INR 20 Lakh

INR 4 LPA - INR 10 lakh

Business Analytics

INR 24,000 - INR 10 Lakh

INR 3 LPA - INR 5 LPA

MBA Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for different MBAs in India can be different. Check some of them -

Course Type

Eligibility Criteria

Full-time MBA

  • 50 per cent average marks in any discipline 
  • For reserved category students, the minimum score is 45 per cent in aggregate.
  • Final year graduation students and professionals with CA/CS/ICWAI and other degrees can also pursue full-time MBA

Distance MBA

  • Bachelor's degree programme 
  • A minimum of 50 per cent marks 
  • no maximum age 

Online MBA

  • Graduation from a recognised university
  • CAT, MAT, XAT, etc. (if required)
  • 2-3 years of work experience (if required)

Executive MBA

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • A minimum of 50 per cent aggregate
  • At least two years of work experience at the managerial or executive level

MBA Scholarships for Indian Students

Here are some scholarships that Indian students can consider in India or abroad -

MBA Scholarships in India

Capital First MBA Scholarship

UPESMET MBA Scholarship

Aditya Birla Scholarship

Indian School of Business Scholarships

Management Develop Institute Scholarships

OPJEMS

Institute of Rural Management, Anand

NMAT Scholarship

Saroj Sood Scholarship

MBA Scholarships by IIMs

ONGC Scholarship

BML Munjal University MBA Scholarship

MBA Scholarships Abroad

INSEAD Deepak and Sunita Gupta Endowed Scholarship by INSEAD Business School 

Harvard University-Boustany Foundation MBA Scholarship

UWE Bristol MBA Scholarship by the University of the West of England, Bristol

Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship by Pershing Square Foundation

Weidenfeld-Hoffman Scholarship and Leadership Program by Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust in partnership with The Said Business School, University of Oxford

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

MBA Subjects 

MBA subjects may differ from college to college in minor aspects but the basic areas of study are the same. 

Given below is the table indicating core and elective subjects included in the MBA syllabus.  

Semester 1 

Organisational Behaviour

Quantitative Methods

Managerial Economics

Financial Accounting

Semester 2

Organisation Effectiveness and Change

Management Science

Environment of Business

Financial Management

Semester 3

Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility

Legal Environment of Business

Strategic Analysis

 

Semester 4

Project Study

Strategic Management

International Business Environment

-

Detailed MBA syllabus

Know More:

What Do You Know About CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT?

Top MBA Entrance Exams

In India, MBA entrance exams are conducted that are essential for securing MBA admission in the country. These MBA exams assess the knowledge, aptitude, and skills of candidates and help institutions determine their eligibility for admission. 

Here are some of the top MBA entrance exams in India:

Entrance Exams

Details

CAT

CAT is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized MBA entrance exams in India. It is accepted by numerous Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools.

MAT

MAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). It is accepted by a wide range of B-schools across India.

XAT

XAT is conducted by XLRI - Xavier School of Management and is accepted by various top B-schools in India.

NMAT

NMAT is an entrance exam conducted by the GMAC for admission to various management programs offered by the NMIMS and several other leading B-schools in India and abroad.

SNAP

SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to its various management programs.

CMAT

CMAT is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA in India.

GMAT

GMAT is an internationally recognized exam and is accepted by some Indian B-schools for admission to MBA programs. CMAT is an important entrance exam for admission to various postgraduate management programs, including MBA, PGDM, and similar courses, in numerous B-schools and management institutions across the country.

Also Read

List of all MBA entrance exams

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Table of contents
  • Popular MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Popular MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Popular MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Colleges in India. Learn more about these MBA (Masters of Business Administration) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2 Courses
27.5 L
20.05 - 34.53 LPA

#1 NIRF

2 Courses
26 L
32.61 LPA

#2 NIRF

14 L - 22.5 L
24.76 - 27.5 LPA

#3 NIRF

2 Courses
12 L
15.59 LPA

#4 NIRF

12.6 L
31 LPA

#5 NIRF

2 Courses
19.2 L - 26.2 L
26.04 LPA

#11 NIRF

Popular Private MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Colleges in India

9.85 L - 10.85 L
4.3

MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

52 Courses
1.35 L - 6 L
4.3

#235 Business Today

MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

9 Courses
9.25 L - 10.75 L
4.6

#97 Business Today

MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

13.5 L - 24 L
4.0
2 Courses
10.75 L
12 LPA

#158 Business Today

MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
13.75 L
9.5 LPA

#86 NIRF

Only B-School to get AICTE Award Thrice in a row. Highest Package 16.1L,Avg Package 6.5L

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for MBA (Masters of Business Administration). Students interested in pursuing a career on MBA (Masters of Business Administration), generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jul '26 - Dec '26

IBSAT 2026 Registration

TENTATIVE

27 Dec ' 26 - 28 Dec ' 26

IBSAT 2026 Exam Date

17 Feb ' 26

CMAT 2026 result

31 Jan ' 26 - 2 Feb ' 26

CMAT 2026 exam answer key objection

23 Feb ' 26

MAT Feb 2026 PBT Registration last date

26 Feb ' 26

MAT Feb 2026 PBT admit card

Popular MBA (Masters of Business Administration) Specializations

Following are the most popular MBA (Masters of Business Administration) 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 MBA (Masters of Business Administration) based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).
qna

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Answered 13 hours ago

The median package offered to MBA students during the Goa University placements 2024 was INR 3.09 LPA. 

39519231
Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 14 hours ago

Association of Indian Management Schools does not conduct a centralised counselling process for the ATMA exam. Each participating institute releases its ATMA cutoff and students who match it have to appear for GD/PI/WAT rounds. 

78439216
Saumya Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 15 hours ago

For the International MBA course, Birmingham City Uni MBA course has the option for professional placement option. The duration of this course is between 12-18 months. The tuition fee for this MBA course is GBP 20,370 - GBP 22,405. Students must have a minimum of 2:2 Honors degree or equivalent. 

I

Ishita Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 15 hours ago

MBA students can become Project Managers, System Managers, or can take up various job opportunities relevant to their field. The following are the USPs of joining the popular programmes available at the XIMB Bhubaneswar:

  • Live competitive coding platforms
  • MOOCs and industry certifications
  • Global indust

...Read more

R

Rakshit Prabhakar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 15 hours 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.

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Rakshit Prabhakar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 15 hours ago

XIM Bhubaneswar offers a two-year MBA in Business Management (MBA-BM) in the full-time mode. Admission to these courses is based on the applicants' XAT/CAT/GMAT/X-GMT scores. The candidates with a valid score in one of these examinations are shortlisted for a written admission test, GDPI round.

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Rakshit Prabhakar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

There are many top MBA colleges in Indore, excluding IIM Indore. Some of them are mentioned below with tuition fees -

Top CollegesTuition Fee
Symbiosis University of Applied SciencesINR 12.5 lakh
Jaipuria IndoreINR 12.75 lakh
Prestige Institute of Management and ResearchINR 1.59 lakh
SAGE University, IndoreINR 1.6 Lacs - INR 10 lakh
NMIMS, IndoreiNR 27 lakh

Source: Official site and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

The MBA fees at Department of Management Science, University of Pune will depend on the specialisation and type of course chosen in the case of MBA the fees are generally around INR 1.25 Lakhs in terms of annual tuition fees.

Though this figure does not account for scholarships, fee concessions, extr

...Read more

C

Chikat Marchang

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

Candidates who have not appeared in any entrance test should have a Bachelor's Degree with at least 55% marks.  They will have to give a written test: same as I-CET. Students have to qualify  in Written Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview for taking admission in MBA at Vignan's Foundation

...Read more

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Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

No, Sathyabama University does not offer part-time or executive MBA courses. Sathyabama University MBA courses are available in both offline and online teaching modes. However, both course modes are still offered only on full-time basis.

Candidates will need to look at other institutes if they wish t

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

No, the TANCET registrations have not yet been opened for the academic year 2026 for Sathyabama University MBA admissions. 

Generally, the TANCET registrations are opened during the month of February each year. However, the current year TANCET registrations have been delayed for MBA admissions at Sat

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

Candidates applying for MBA at Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research should have scored 55% in any Bachelor's Degree. Aspirants should have qualified in ICET / MAT Score above 500 / minimum 70 percentile in CAT (OR) 60% in B.Tech.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

Sathyabama University MBA admissions have been opened for the academic year 2026 for both online and offline course modes. Currently, the institute is yet to reveal the deadline for the MBA admissions to either course mode.

Hence, candidates who have received their final exam scores should apply for

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

The fees for the online MBA course at Sathyabama University is INR 90,000 for the academic year 2026. The aforementioned Sathyabama University fees is charged on per annum basis in two instalments of INR 45,000 each.

There are no other fee components mentioned in the Sathyabama fees structure for the

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S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

The current fees for the offline mode Sathyabama University MBA course is unknown. Generally, the Sathyabama fees structure is only revealed to candidates who are able to secure admissions at the institute.

Thus, candidates should look at the student review or QnA sections of Sathyabama University to

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 16 hours ago

Candidates applying for MBA at Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research should have doen graduation with atleast 55% aggregate score. Students have to be qualified in ICET / MAT Score above 500 / Min. 70 percentile in CAT (OR) 60% in B.Tech. Graduates who did not appear for any entra

...Read more

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 18 hours ago

The students who have shown academic excellence and leadership potential can receive a Jenkins MBA Graduate Assistantship. The benefit of the Assistantship include partial or full tuition coverage, health insurance, and a stipend. The graduate assitants may work up to 20 hours per week for the MBA c

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N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

University of Central Missouri offers more than 150-degree programs at UG and PG levels for its international students. University of Central Missouri offers MBA for the duration of 1 year. UCM MBA first year tuition fee is around INR 23L.

S

Saakshi Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

MBA graduates from IILM University, Gurugram, generally enter sectors such as:

  • Consulting

  • Banking and Financial Services

  • FMCG and Marketing Firms

  • HR and Talent Management

  • Operations and Supply Chain

  • Startups and entrepreneurial ventures

The structured internship model and placement support systems facilita

...Read more

M

Manya

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

The distinguishing features include:

  • Interdisciplinary exposure

  • Emphasis on applied learning

  • Corporate proximity advantage

  • Continuous assessment models

  • Integration of ethics and governance

Rather than functioning as a purely theoretical management program, the MBA at IILM Gurugram positions itself as a pr

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M

Manya

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

Leadership development is cultivated through both structured coursework and experiential exposure.

Academically, courses such as:

  • Organizational Behavior

  • Strategic Management

  • Leadership and Change Management

etc..

help in understanding power dynamics, team behavior, and strategic alignment.

Practically, le

...Read more

M

Manya

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

MBA is a PG level course offered by MMU Mullana. For doing MBA from MMU, students to have a passing degree at UG level from a recognised University to be eligible to apply to MMU. The University considers the marks of competitive exams like CAT for admitting Students to MBA course.

P

Puhup Kumari

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

Most of the PG programs at Westford University College can be completed within 12-24 months. The duration will vary based on the study mode and pace. MBA in International Business has a duration of 12-15 months and has an online study mode 

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Yes Westford College's PG programs are globally organized and accredited. Since you will earn a global MBA at Westford you will studying a subject that prepares you to lead confidently across markets

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

The MBA programme at DY Patil International University Pune is highly regarded for its industry aligned curriculum, practical learning approach & strong placement support. The university offers a 2 year full time MBA recognised for academic rigor.

The programme blends theory with practical, industry

...Read more

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Rakshit Prabhakar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Aspirants must pass 3 year bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline with a at least 55% aggregate from a recognised university to apply for EMBA programme at XIMB.

Aspirants must also have atleast 3 years of work experience in executive capacity in an organisation of repute in public, privat

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

The total tuition fees for MBA is INR 23 lakh at XIMB. The total fees includes components such as Development fund, course material per year, IT expenses per year, university alumni fee, refundable deposits, etc. Aspirants need to pay course fees to confirm their seat at the time of admission.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

The MBA programs at UCD are offered under its business school, named UCD Smurfit School. This school looks for candidates with a minimum of 3 years of quality experience (for full time MBA), a strong degree along with solid GMAT scores. 

Look at the key admission requirements for Indian students to g

...Read more

P

Piyush Rastogi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered Yesterday

To be eligible for the MBA at IIM Shillong, students must hold a graduate degree with at least 50% marks. Students must appear for one of the national entrance exams like CAT, MAT, GMAT, and others. 

M

Mayank Surbhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Indian Institute of Management Shillong is well-known for MBA placements. The highest salary package was recorded at INR 71.5 LPA.The average package stood at INR 26.44 LPA. The median package at IIM Shillong placements during 2025 was recorded at INR 25 LPA. The top recruiting sectors at the instit

...Read more

A

Akansha Dhyani

Contributor-Level 10

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