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

Updated on Nov 1, 2023 11:10 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

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

Read CAT Previous Year Question Papers

Click to know how to practice CAT Mock Test 2025

How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Check Preparation Strategy by CAT Toppers

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
₹20.1 L
₹20.05 - 34.59 LPA

#1 NIRF

2 Courses
₹26 L - 26.5 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

1 Course
₹8.5 L
₹3.9 LPA
─
─

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

₹9 L - 14.5 L
₹7 LPA
─

MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

₹5.3 L - 8 L
₹6 LPA

#101-125 NIRF

₹2.8 L - 14.12 L
₹7 LPA

#85 Times

MBA/PGDM Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
─
₹15.56 L - 25.82 L
₹2 - 20 LPA

#12 Business Today

₹6.3 L - 8.15 L
4.2

#40 Times

Experience the Cutting-edge Curriculum with the right Blend of Technology and Management

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.

5 Oct ' 26 - 6 Oct ' 26

CAT Form Correction

4 Nov ' 26 - 29 Nov ' 26

CAT 2026 admit card download

28 Sep ' 26 - 7 Oct ' 26

KEA PGCET 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Confirmation ...

28 Sep ' 26 - 7 Oct ' 26

Karnataka PGCET 2026: Fee Payment for Round 1 All...

14 Dec ' 26

MAT December 2026 PBT Registration Last

17 Dec ' 26

MAT December 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

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 3 days ago

Panjab University offers several scholarships to MBA students. Some of the scholarships are listed below:

  • Merit-cum-means scholarship for SC/ST
  • Scholarships Under National Scholarship Portal
  • Post Matric Scholarships
  • Central Sector Scholarships
  • Need-cum-Merit based Scholarship
  • Sports Scholarships
  • ECA Schola

...Read more

Y

Yash Mittal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Yes, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management offers a large variety of scholarships for its Indian students. Frankfurt School of Finance and Management scholarships attracts Indian students the most. Frankfurt School of Finance and Management scholarships for Indian students is listed below-

Scholarship Name 

Benefits 

MSc Diversity Scholarship 

  • Varies 

BSc Diversity Scholarship Scholarships 

  • Varies 

Professional Master's Scholarship 

  • Varies 

K

Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

The duration of Nottingham Trent University MBA is 1 year. The course costs GBP 25,000 or INR 32 L for international students. In order to be eligible for NTU MBA, Indian students need 50% - 60% in a Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of professional experience.

NTU MBA has triple crown accredita

...Read more

A

Ansh Gumber

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 days ago

Some of the top recruiters of Coventry University MBA graduates include:

  • TATA
  • Jaguar
  • Barclays Bank
  • Atkins Realis
  • UNICEF
  • Marks and Spencer
  • Unilever
  • Cadbury
  • Aston Martin
  • NHS

A

Ansh Gumber

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 days ago

Yes, Galgotias University can be considered for an MBA, with industry interaction, practical learning, multiple specialisations and placement support. Its School of Business also offers MBA programmes such as Dual Specialization and Digital Marketing.

A

Ayush Verma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

The tuition fee for 1 year MBA Courses at the University of Southampton is INR 27 L and 47 L. There is an availability of 36 courses altogether. Other than the tuition fee, there are fee elements like hostel, insurance and transportation which adds up to a larger number. The students are to plan the

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

The University of Southampton offers 36 courses in MBA for a time period of 1 year for international students. The tuition fee for these courses is between INR 27 L and 47 L. The University is known to have the highest placement rate in UK. The placement rate for MBA at the University of Southampton

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

The admissions at Georgia Institute of Technology takes place on the basis of different course. There is one intake per academic year for MBA Courses that is the Fall Intake. There are different rounds for MBA Courses. Round 2 is usually recommended for International student to apply for the course.

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

Yes, students do need work experience for Hult International Business School UAE MBA, but general Master's programs have varying requirements where some require little to no experience.

For MBA program, Hult asks for a minimum of 3 years of professional work experience. For standard Master's programs

...Read more

A

Akash Gaur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

The average package received by PGPM and PGDM students in 2026 at GLIM Chennai was 18.1 LPA and 15 LPA.

S

Satyendra Rai

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

The University of Chester provides 18 MBA courses to the students for 1-2 years of time span. The tuition fee is ranged between INR 16 L – 20 L.

The University offers 3 intakes for its full-time MBA programme per academic year-

  • Oct Intake
  • Jan Intake
  • May Intake

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

A PhD is not allowed, as only taught master's courses qualify. An MBA is allowed, but the Chevening Scholarship pays only up to GBP 22,000 of its fee.

S

Shobhit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

To be eligible for MBA admission at ISBM Pune, candidates must have a Bachelor's degree from any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks (for General category) and a minimum of 45% marks (for Reserved Category) and have Indian nationality.

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

The MBA graduates of UT San Antonia are hired by the companies like Apple, Accenture, Target, Microsoft, Dell, Boeing, etc. Other top employers of this university's MBA graduates include-

  • Citibank
  • Chevron
  • Amazon
  • Southwest Airlines
  • University Health Systems

G

Gunjan Thapa

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

For admission to the University of Texas San Antonio MBA course, a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 is required. 

  • IELTS score of 6.5 / Duolingo score of 100 / TOEFL iBT 79 
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • Transcripts of previous studies
  • Two letters of recommendation

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

For MBA programme at IESEG School of Management, GMAT/GRE score is recommended by the university. But it is not mandatory for Indian students to submit these tests as they are optional. 

Submitting these tests can give a bit benefit to students upon those not providing these test scores.

K

Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

In the QS Global MBA ranking, IESEG School of Management QS ranking is #9 in Frnace and #121-130 in the world in 2027. In the previous year's ranking, this university ranked at #111-120 in the world. This shows that this university's rank has dropped in the QS Global MBA rankings.

K

Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The MBA students learn from a supportive teaching team in a university with 132 faculty members. Students describe the teachers as qualified, approachable, and helpful, and many faculty members hold doctoral degrees. Along with regular classroom teaching, the industry-linked specializations bring ex

...Read more

60924763
Rishita Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

The requirements are simple. A candidate needs a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks, and graduates from any discipline are eligible. Admission is decided on the marks in the qualifying exam and a personal interview. This makes the MBA open to students from many academic backgrounds who wi

...Read more

60924763
Rishita Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Yes, students at Rayat Bahra University get a taste of the professional world through the university's industry links. The university invites guest speakers from the industry and organizes workshops and seminars on campus. MBA specializations such as Digital Marketing with IBM and upGrad, Entreprene

...Read more

60924763
Rishita Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

The MBA at Rayat Bahra University is a 2-year program, and the fee is set according to the specialization. Tuition for most options falls between ₹1.6 Lakhs and ₹3.8 Lakhs, which keeps the programme within reach for many families. The semester fee is shown along with other charges and exam fees, so

...Read more

60924763
Rishita Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Yes, and the numbers back it up. The university is UGC recognised and NAAC accredited, and it welcomed more than 1,175 recruiters for placements in 2025. Names like ICICI Bank, Deloitte, EY, Aditya Birla, Barclays, Reliance, and TCS have appeared on the recruiter list. This mix of banking, consultin

...Read more

P

Priti Choudhary

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Yes, it is a promising choice for MBA. The 2-year programme offers specializations across Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, Digital Marketing, AI for Managers, Business and Data Analytics, and Healthcare and Hospital Administration. Industry-linked options with IBM, L&T, and upGrad add practical v

...Read more

A

Anya Mehta

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

For an international PhD after an MBA, look for universities where the PhD position itself includes a funded research or teaching role, rather than relying only on tuition scholarships. LPU can also be considered if staying in India is an option, as it has PhD scholarships and research fellowship sc

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a week ago

Tuition fee for MBA course is INR 80 K. Check detailed breakdown of academic fees for MBA course at Shri GS Institute of Technology and Science:

Particulars

Fees - 2026

Tuition Fee

INR 80 K

One-time Payment

INR 1.5 K

Hostel Fee

INR 1.45 lakh

Total fee

INR 2.27 lakh

H

Himani Chopra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

MBA is a 2-year, full-time postgraduate degree divided into 4 semesters. It offers two specialisations: Core (Regular) MBA and an MBA in Hospital Administration. The minimum eligibility required for admission to the MBA is a graduation degree in any stream along with a valid CAT/MAT score.

H

Himani Chopra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

The minimum eligibility required for admission to the MBA course at SGSITS Indore is a graduation degree in any stream with at least 55% marks in  qualifying degree. A valid score in the CAT/MAT examination is mandatory for admission to this course.

H

Himani Chopra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a week ago

Below is the list of documents required for MBA admission at the time of online reporting for GD & PI

  • A printout of the duly completed online form (original copy)
  • Recent colour photograph
  • Original pass certificate, mark sheet of 10/12/ graduation
  • Printout of Admit Card / Hall Ticket of CAT / GMAT/ XAT /

...Read more

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

For the batch of 2026, BIT Mesra's the highest salary package offered was INR 9 LPA. 

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Amity University MBA scholarships 2026 details are presented below:

Scholarship %

Amity Bangalore Scholarship Criteria

100%

90 percentile CAT/ MAT or GMAT 650/ GRE 161

50%

85 percentile CAT/ MAT or GMAT 600/ GRE 157

25%

80 percentile CAT/ MAT or GMAT 500/ GRE 152

39519231
Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Find insights & recommendations on colleges and exams that you won't find anywhere else

On Shiksha, get access to

  • 67k Colleges
  • 1k Exams
  • 718k Reviews
  • 1850k Answers