
Top MBA colleges in India, other than IIMs, offer admission on the basis of entrance exam score and performance in personality assessment activities such as Essay Writing, Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). The admission process and selection criteria of non-IIMs are same but may vary in terms of specific requirements for a specific course or specialisation such as in case of Health Administration, Pharmacy, IT & Systems, Petro-Chem, etc. While selecting an MBA college, candidates must inquire about their selection criteria and admission process individually so that they are well prepared while applying. They must also check course fee, infrastructure and placement reports before selecting a college.
However, you need to appear for a national level MBA entrance exam for any full-time MBA course. The top non IIMs accept exam score of CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, SNAP, ATMA and GMAT. Candidates can also opt for state-level MBA entrance exams of their home state for MBA admission.
- Selecting an MBA College
- MBA Admission Important Dates
- Top Non-IIMs: Eligibility Criteria
- Top MBA Colleges: Application Deadline 2026
- Documents Required for MBA Admission 2025
Selecting an MBA College
A good MBA college leads to a good start to career. In terms of training as well as job placement. So, aspirants should check the following before selecting a college:
- Selection criteria and admission process
- Govt recognition and accreditation
- Courses and specialisations
- Course fee, scholarships and financial aid
- Infrastructure, pedagogy and faculty
- International immersion programmes
- Internship and placement record
MBA Admission Important Dates
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of MBA Admission 2026 exam
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 04 Jan ' 26 | XAT 2026 |
| 20 Dec ' 25 | SNAP 2025 -3 |
| 14 Dec ' 25 | SNAP 2025 -2 |
Top Non-IIMs: Eligibility Criteria
- The eligibility criteria of top non-IIM MBA colleges in India is Graduation with 50 per cent aggregate marks (45 per cent for Reserved Category candidates).
- Eligibility criteria of MBA programmes offered by IITs is 60 per cent aggregate in graduation.
- Many other top MBA colleges like XLRI, Jamshedpur does not have minimum score criteria. Passing marks in graduation is acceptable.
Latest Updates:
Top MBA Colleges: Application Deadline 2026
Given below is the list of some of the popular MBA colleges other than IIMs and their application deadline for admission to MBA/PGDM 2026 batches:
| MBA College |
Exam Score Accepted |
Application status MBA/PGDM 2026 batches |
|---|---|---|
| CAT, XAT, GMAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT |
To open soon |
|
| SPJIMR Mumbai | CAT, GMAT |
To open soon |
| IIFT Delhi | IIFT Entrance Exam |
To open soon |
| XLRI, Jamshedpur | XAT, GMAT |
Open |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | CAT, XAT, CMAT |
To open soon |
| Symbiosis International University (Deemed) | SNAP |
Open |
| MDI Gurgaon | CAT, GMAT |
To open soon |
| To open soon |
||
| CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, AIET |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, KIITEE MBA |
To open soon |
|
| To open soon |
||
| CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, SNAP, KMAT, MAT, CMAT, IBSAT, ALLIANCE-AMAT |
Open |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAT, GMAT, TANCET and CSBAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT |
Open |
|
| CAT, GMAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, MAT, CMAT |
Open |
|
| CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, MAH-CET |
Open |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, ATMA |
To open soon | |
| CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, MAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, GMAT |
To open soon |
|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, MAT |
To open soon |
|
| GMAT, GRE |
To open soon |
|
| IFMR - Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR GSB), Sri City |
CAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, GRE |
To open soon |
Documents Required for MBA Admission 2025
At the time of MBA admission, the candidates are required to furnish personal details and submit proof of the same. Given below is the list of documents to be submitted at the time of MBA admission along with fees.
- Date of Birth Certificate
- Class 10th Certificate
- Class 12th Certificate
- Graduation/Post Graduation Marksheet
- Professional Degree
- Letter of Recommendation (if applicable)
- Statement of Purpose (if applicable)
- Experience Certificate (if applicable)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Photo ID issued by the Government of India
Read More:
- 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2024-25 (MBA): Current & Latest GD Topics with detailed analysis
- Personal Interviews: 5 Situations That May Stump You
- How to Handle Surprise Topics in GDs
- Common questions asked in Personal Interviews
- 13 must do things to crack GD-PI-WAT
- 14 parameters on which you are judged in WAT-GD-PI
MBA Admission Exam
Student Forum
Answered 11 hours ago
GIBS is more than a mere institution of learning, as students perceive, it helps them develop certain values that are crucial for a person's success in life. This institute is the center of students' personal and professional developments.
Reasons why students consider GIBS as more than just a colleg
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered Yesterday
Shiv Nadar University organizes personal interviews for shortlisted MBA applicants between January and May. The selection team sends specific time slots to candidates via email. These discussions happen through online video calls or physical campus visits.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
For MBA admission under Bangalore University, students are generally admitted through entrance exams like Karnataka PGCET, KMAT, CAT, MAT, CMAT, or other accepted management entrance exams, depending on the college and admission process.
If you're looking at private B-schools in Bangalore, GIBS is al
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, personal interview mandatory for MBA admission at Bennett University. Bennett University MBA admission is entrance-based, followed by an interview round. After selection through management aptitude scores, students must appear for personal interview for final selection.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No, the admission window for the MBA programme at Bangalore University has been closed for 2026. The admission generally opens during April-May. The admission is based on entrance. Students must appear for the accepted exam and obtain valid marks.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
SAGE University, Indore has not mentioned any other accepted entrance exams other than SEE for MBA courses. Generally, CAT is an accepted entrance exam for MBA courses. Therefore, candidate should get confirmation by asking this from admission desk.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Amity Common Admission Test (AMCAT) is a computer-based test that is remotely proctored. It contains MCQs on Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability & English Comprehension and Management Behavioural & Personality Assessment. If a candidate has already appeared
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
University of Lucknow moves quickly into data evaluation once the initial MBA application window wraps up. The admission committee reviews all submitted scores to draw up provisional merit lists. Selected candidates are then called for personal interviews and document checks.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
University of Lucknow publishes all official schedules directly on its main web portal under the dedicated MBA admissions tab. Since admission relies on multiple entrance exams, schedules can occasionally shift. Candidates need to monitor both national test announcements and local university notices
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
Registrations for MBA admission 2026 have closed for Coimbatore campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. MBA admission is open at Kochi, Mysuru, Bangalore, and Amritapuri campus. Last date to apply is July 15.2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Why do students see GIBS as more than just a college?