MBA Admission 2024: Form, Fees, Eligibility, Dates, Entrance Exams, Colleges

Shubhangini Priyadarshi

Updated on - Nov 14, 2024

MBA Admission 2024 in India are done phase-wise where most of the colleges generally open their admission window in May-June of the year. The MBA entrance exams take place roughly between Sep- Nov every year.

Admission to the MBA course consists of several steps which include standardized entrance tests such as CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, and MAH-SET, which are administered at the national, state, or institutional level. Shortlisted students must clear the entrance exam, group discussion (GD), written ability test (WAT), and personal interview (PI) rounds to get into the 2-year MBA course.

Most B-schools like IIMs accept CAT scores for MBA admission, whereas XLRI, IIFT, NMIMS, & SIBM solely consider their own entrance exam scores. Students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements which mostly consist of candidates scoring 50% in their bachelor's studies depending on the entrance exams.

The Course Fees for IIMs range between INR 6 - 13.5 LPA while MBA Fees at Tier 1&2 colleges range between INR 10 - 20 LPA.

Table of Contents

• MBA Admission 2024 Application Deadlines
• MBA Entrance Exam 2024
• MBA Admission Process 2024
• MBA Admission 2024: Top Universities in India
• Top MBA Colleges as per ROI
• Specialization-Wise MBA Admission 2024

MBA Admission 2024: Application Deadlines

Students should note down the MBA registration date 2024 at prominent colleges for the next academic year. Candidates must apply to these institutions within the stipulated time. The following is a list based on tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 MBA colleges in India along with MBA admission 2024 last dates and respective entrance exams :

MBA Entrance Exam 2024

Candidates can get admission to MBA courses by passing the entrance exams mentioned below. Students can take any national, state, or university-level MBA entrance exam for 2024, depending on their desired MBA college. For details about the MBA registration date of 2024 and the MBA entrance exam dates, see the table below.

MBA Admission Process 2024

The MBA admission process generally entails shortlisting applicants based on entrance exam results followed by selection in Group Discussion and Personal Interviews. Top B schools have specific selection criteria for MBA admission in 2024. The admission procedure might vary depending on the selected course and institution.

Eligibility Criteria for MBA Admission 2024

MBA Admission 2024 eligibility includes academic information, minimum graduation marks, age limit, nationality, certified CAT, or other entrance exam results. The basic qualifications for getting enrolled in all types of MBA courses in India are as follows:

Full-Time MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the full-time MBA courses.  

• Candidates need a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university/institute.
• General category applicants need 50% in graduation, whereas reserved candidates need 45%.
• Candidates must have a valid score on entrance exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
• Final-year students can apply for MBA admission if they have the needed documentation.
• MBA Executive courses require 2 to 3 years of job experience.

Part-Time MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the Part-time MBA courses.  

• Students need an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. 
• Candidates must secure 45-50% in their undergraduate course. 
• The candidate might require a certain amount of work experience depending on the university. 

One-Year MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the one-year MBA courses for the academic year 2024-2025.

• Candidates should pass with a minimum of 50% score in their undergraduate degree. 
• The candidates are required to have 4 years of work experience. 
• Students are required to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university

Executive MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the Executive MBA courses. 

• Candidates are required to have 60% in high school (10+2) studies.
• Students are required to have 75% in their undergraduate degree.
• Candidates should have 3-5 years of work experience. 

Online MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the online MBA courses.    

• One needs to have a bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least 50% aggregate marks.
• The mode is not age-restricted and doesn't require any work experience. 

Distance MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for admission to the Distance MBA courses.    

• Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an approved university with a minimum of 50%. 
• Candidates need to appear for entrance exams such as OPENMAT, MH-CET, and ATMA and qualify with required cut-off marks which depend on the chosen university’s regulations. 

How to Apply For MBA Admission 2024?

To apply for MBA course Admission one must follow the instructions mentioned below:

• To apply for MBA admission 2024-2026, applicants must first choose an institution and the entrance exam the college accepts.
• Students must note down the MBA admission 2024 dates at various colleges.
• Every institution has an online application form that prospective students must fill out and submit. Applicants can pay the MBA application fee online.
• To qualify, students must score above the cutoff marks in the entrance exam. Then, applicants can apply to institutions using their entrance exam scores.
• A merit list will be released on a specified day. If a candidate is selected, they must be present on campus or submit an online report.

Selection Process For MBA Admission 2024-26

There are several requirements to get selected for an MBA program in 2024. Applicants must do well on the entrance exams and the subsequent interview rounds. Below are the steps of the MBA selection process.

• Candidates are selected based on entrance test results, academic background, and professional experience.
• Personality assessments such as the WAT, GD, and PI are essential to the selection process for MBA admission in 2024
• The final MBA college admission 2024 is decided by considering the above 2 phases.

MBA Selection Process in Top Colleges

Below is the table showing the top colleges and their selection process for the MBA course.

MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus

The MBA entrance syllabus outline is divided into Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and sub-sections. Listed below are some important topics covered in the top entrance exams for MBA courses:

MBA Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

Candidates can improve their chances of securing admission to an MBA course by adhering to the below-mentioned guidelines. The following are some essential preparation tips for MBA admission in 2024: 

• Candidates must strive for a high score on the entrance exam for MBA programs.
• It's best to sit for multiple entrance examinations to increase admission chances and knowledge.
• Go through various entrance exams and refer to previous years' papers for a proper understanding of the type of questions asked.
• Sharing subject ideas with friends and college professors will build students' confidence before appearing for the exam.

MBA Entrance Exam Prerequisites

• Students should ensure to be at least 15 minutes early at the exam hall.
• They should carry their admit cards without fail. If they forget to get these important documents, they will not be allowed to write the exam.
• Getting electronic gadgets is barred inside the exam room.
• Candidates must be calm and not panic to do well in the exam.

Read More: MBA Entrance Exams

GD-PI-WAT for MBA Admission 2024 (Post-Entrance Exam) 

The Students who have been shortlisted, are required to appear for the second stage of admission for final selection, consisting of GD-PI-WAT sessions. IMs and non-IIMs organize WAT which is a brief essay writing test designed to assess a candidate's clarity of ideas and lucidity in writing. 

The several assessments under the counselling process for MBA admission 2024-2026 are given below with a detailed view. 

MBA Group Discussion

Group Discussion is an important part of the selection process as it defines the student's ability to comprehend the complexity of the MBA course curriculum. It also shows the student's grasp of current business trends along with assessing their communication and presentation skills. 

MBA Group Discussion Topics

Some of the important topics for GD are given below:

1. ChatGPT 4 vs Google Bard
2. IMF World Economic Outlook
3. De-dollarization
4. The gender unemployment gap in India
5. The Future of Banking in India

MBA Personal Interview

The personal interview session assesses the student's individual quality to deal with business challenges with a problem-solving approach. It also tests skills such as communication, interpersonal and financial skills. 

MBA WAT (Written Ability Test)

Students may be required to appear for written aptitude tests which judge the student's writing skills where they have to write essays on current topics based on Current affairs, Business and Economy, and Social Topics. The duration of this test is 15-30 minutes depending on the university.

MBA Admission Without Entrance Exam

MBA candidates can study at some of the most prestigious institutions without taking admission exams. Mentioned below are the top colleges providing direct admission to MBA courses: 

• MBA admissions 2024 without an entrance exam is only available at private institutions that have been granted university status.
• If an institution fails to conduct an entrance exam, the AICTE has authorized affiliated management colleges to admit students directly based on their academic credentials. 
• Several colleges also have management quotas that allow candidates to receive direct admission to MBA programs. 
• Colleges such as BGU, GIBS, UPES, RIM, and OP Jindal Global University are known to provide direct admission to MBA courses. 

Top MBA Universities in India as per NIRF Ranking 2024

In India, many government and private universities offer MBA degree courses. Applying for MBA programs at top universities in 2024 is an online process, and the selection process includes entrance exam scores followed by WAT, GD, and PI.

Here are the top business schools in India as per NIRF Management Ranking 2023 with details on MBA admission 2024-26 and their average tuition fees:

IGNOU MBA Admission 2024

IGNOU offers five MBA program specializations via online distance learning. The IGNOU MBA offers specializations in finance management, human resource management, marketing management, service management, and operations management.

The minimum requirement for IGNOU MBA admission 2024 is 50% or above in a bachelor's degree in the related area. Prior experience is not required for admission to the MBA program. Students should not

Read More: IGNOU MBA Admission 2024

YCMOU MBA Admission 2024

YCMOU offers a two-year comprehensive MBA course. To apply for YCMOU MBA Admission 2024, applicants must have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent grades from a UGC-recognized university or institution. The university's Common Entrance Test (CET) is the primary criterion for admission to the MBA program. 

Read More: YCMOU MBA Admission 2024

Madras University MBA Admission 2024

MBA Madras University Admission 2024 will only be made based on entrance exams. TANCET, which the DTE Tamil Nadu conducts, is the sole criterion for granting admission. MBA Executive candidates require 55% in their Bachelor's degree and two years of experience in their profession.

Read More: Madras University MBA Admission 2024

CUSAT MBA Admission

CUSAT provides full-time and part-time MBA courses with nine specializations. CUSAT MBA Admission 2024 is based on an entrance exam, and applicants must have at least a 50% average in any Bachelor's degree.

Cochin University accepts MBA entrance exams such as KMAT, C-MAT, and IIM-CAT. The selection process is based on the KMAT/ C-MAT/ IIM-CAT, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview.

Read More: CUSAT MBA Admission 2024

Anna University MBA Admission 2024

For Anna University MBA Admission 2024, applicants need a valid TANCET score and at least 50% in their undergraduate GPA. Yet, the ultimate selection of students is determined by their TANCET results, followed by a Personal Interview (PI).

Read More: Anna University MBA Admission 2024

Top MBA Colleges as per ROI

The following are the top colleges given along with course fees and average salary of placement to determine the return on investment. 

Specializations Offered in MBA

There are numerous MBA specializations available in 2024 for students to choose from based on their interests and demands. In the upcoming years, specializations like business analytics, digital marketing, and other industries will garner increasing attention.

Below are some of the most sought-after areas of specialization for MBAs:

Read More: List of all MBA Specializations

How to Choose the Right MBA College?

Given below are some points that students must keep in mind before applying for an MBA course in a college.

• Check for the top-ranking colleges that offer MBA College
• Note down the fee structure offered by the college for MBA course
• Compare your eligibility to the requirements set by the college
• Check the placement record of the college
• Ensure the colleges have adequate infrastructure for the learning environment

Check This: Job Opportunities After Doing MBA from IIMs

Top MBA [Master of Business Administration] Colleges

IIT Madras

Chennai,Tamil Nadu

IIT Bombay

Mumbai,Maharashtra

IIT Delhi

Delhi,Delhi NCR

IIT Kanpur

Kanpur,Uttar Pradesh

IIT Kharagpur

Kharagpur,West Bengal

IIT Roorkee

Roorkee,Uttarakhand

IIT Guwahati

Guwahati,Assam

JNU

Delhi,Delhi NCR

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CAT

• Overview
• Syllabus
• Exam Dates
• Previous Year Question Papers
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MAT

Exam Date: May 19, 2024

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• Previous Year Question Papers
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NMAT

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GMAT

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JEMAT

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CMAT

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IBSAT

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IMUCET

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MBA Fee Structure