MBA (Master of Business Administration): Course Details, Fees, Duration, Top Colleges & Scope

MBA full form is Master of Business Administration, it is a two-year postgraduate degree programme. It is offered in the fields of management and business administration. Candidates need to fulfil their bachelor's degree programme in any field, Science, Arts and Commerce with at least 50 per cent in aggregate. In India, more than 4500 private, and government colleges and deemed universities offer MBAs in various specialisations, such as Finance, Human Resources, Digital Marketing and Retail Management.

This Story also Contains

1. What is the MBA Full Form?
2. MBA Course Details - Highlights
3. Why Choose an MBA Course?
4. Types of MBA Courses
5. List of MBA Specialisations
6. MBA Eligibility Criteria
7. MBA Course Duration
8. MBA Admission Process
9. MBA Seats in Top Colleges
10. MBA Fee Structure
11. MBA Syllabus and Subjects
12. Top Private MBA Colleges in India with Fees
13. Top Government MBA Colleges in India with Fees
14. Salary After MBA

MBA course provides in-depth knowledge of business principles such as finance, marketing, human resource management, operations management, strategic management, and organisational behaviour. The curriculum is focused on providing modern business practices and equipping the candidates with leadership roles across various companies.

IIMs are amongst the prominent institutes for MBA degrees. The selection procedure usually involves three stages, preliminary screening stage: CAT score + application rating (AR) score, shortlisting for Analytical Writing Test (AWT) & Personal Interview (PI) and final selection based on Composite Score (CS). The CAT cutoff for the majority of schools is 80 percentile, although for the IIMs, the CAT cutoff is 98-99+ percentile.

The average package of IIM Calcutta is Rs. 35.07 LPA in 2023 placement record. The median salary of the IIM Kozhikode is Rs. 27 LPA, and the average salary of the female students is Rs. 31.93 LPA. Students who have completed 10+2+3 are eligible for the MBA degree programme. Major entrance exams for MBA degrees are CAT, MAT, and XAT.

After graduating with an MBA degree, a candidate can explore a variety of job profiles such as Finance Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resource Manager, and Marketing Manager. Candidates are advised to choose the job role depending on their skills and interests. The average salary of an MBA (Master of Business Administration) graduate is Rs. 12.7 LPA.

MBA- Important Dates and Events

• CAT Notification will be announced in the last week of July 2025
• CAT Application Process will start on the 1st week of August
• CAT Exam Date- 30th November 2025
• XAT Application will begin in the 3rd week of July 2025
• XAT Exam Date- 3rd January 2026

What is the MBA Full Form?

MBA full form is Master of Business Administration. Students who have completed their bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised institute in India. Some of the popular specialisations offered in MBA are finance, marketing, human resource management, international business, and strategic management.

MBA Course Details - Highlights

MBA or Master of Business Administration is a postgraduate degree programme of two years duration. Students can study an MBA in full-time, part-time, distance, executive, and integrated levels. In the table below, we have discussed some of the key highlights of an MBA course.

CAT 2025 Important Facts

• CAT 2024 exam cities: This year, the CAT exam centres have increased from 167 to 170. Candidates can choose only five options while filling out the CAT exam form.
• CAT exam 2024 conducting body: IIM Calcutta will conduct the CAT exam 2024 this year.
• CAT Exam Pattern 2024: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• CAT Exam Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes), and the sectional time limit is 40 minutes
• Number of CAT test cities: 170
• CAT exam helpdesk email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in

Why Choose an MBA Course?

Many colleges offer the MBA course programme, which is a popular master's degree programme in business, management, and commerce. Establishing strong social and professional networks while attending an MBA college and developing managerial skills may lead to employment opportunities in various fields. MBA programmes provide comprehensive and organised instruction that is centred on business goals.

MBA in India offers a variety of specialisations that can be pursued by both undergraduates and working professionals. Graduates of tier-one business schools in the world, such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, MDI Gurgaon, and FMS Delhi, earn roughly Rs. 20 LPA on average.

Master of Business Administration jobs are in high demand in corporate and business organisations. In India, earning an MBA degree opens the door to a myriad of job prospects. Some of the advantages are high remuneration, various job opportunities, exposure to multiple industries, and career advancement.

Types of MBA Courses

An MBA degree programme is one of the most popular courses among students who want to pursue a management degree at the postgraduate level. MBA degrees can be offered in multiple types based on the mode of education, such as distance and online mode, which help students to complete the course programme at their convenience. Some of the types of MBA courses are:

List of MBA Specialisations

The MBA has various specialisations that focus on general business administration. Some of the most sought-after MBA specialisations are Finance, HR, Marketing Management, and Banking and Finance Management. In recent times, colleges are offering new specialisations, such as an MBA in FinTech, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Aviation Management.

• MBA in Data Science
• MBA in Data Analytics
• MBA in Digital Marketing
• MBA Artificial Intelligence
• MBA in Entrepreneurship
• MBA in Rural Management
• MBA Banking and Insurance
• MBA in Marketing Management
• MBA in Banking & Finance Management
• MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

MBA Eligibility Criteria

Depending on the type of MBA degree, different MBA eligibility criteria are required to apply for it. B. Tech, BBA, BCA, B.Com, BA, and BSc graduates can pursue an MBA course as it is one of the most crucial degrees for the majority of managerial-level jobs across all industries and sectors.

Who Can Do an MBA?

Students from any stream, such as Science, Humanities and Commerce, can study MBA courses. In this section, we have discussed the eligibility criteria for MBA admission:

• Applicants must have completed or be in the last year of a bachelor's degree in any stream with a minimum three-year duration.
• B.Tech, BBA, B.Sc, BA, and B.Com are some of the most common bachelor's degree programmes.
• Candidates should have a score of at least 50 per cent throughout their bachelor's degree. (In the case of IIMs, it is 60 per cent).
• Applicants must have received a minimum of 60 per cent in their 10+2 from a recognised board in India.
• Candidates must have passed the entrance exam and meet the MBA cutoff requirements set by the MBA colleges.

MBA Course Duration

The MBA course duration is two years, which is divided into four semesters. The first year of the course covers the general management curriculum and the second year offers advanced knowledge on the particular specialisations. Although the MBA duration can vary depending on the type, an executive MBA duration is one year, whereas the regular MBA is two years.

MBA Admission Process

According to how well students perform on the entrance exams, candidates are accepted for MBA courses in India's top management colleges. The admissions process of the MBA programme is based on the merit list of these MBA colleges in India, although some colleges decide to conduct their entrance tests. In this section, we have mentioned the types of the MBA admission process.

MBA Admission Based on Merit

Admission to MBA courses in top private colleges in India as well as government colleges in India is based on the level of examination held by the relevant state or national organisations. The MBA admission process is carried out entirely based on MBA entrance exams.

MBA Admission Based on the Entrance Examination

All qualified students must be able to pass the MBA entrance exams for the specific management college of their choice if they want to enrol in a Master of Business Administration programme in India. Additionally, they must successfully pass an entrance examination and interview procedures before being chosen.

National Entrance Test: Many entrance exams are conducted at the National level for MBA admission. Some of the top national-level MBA entrance exams are CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, and IIFT.

State-level MBA Admission: In addition to national-level MBA entrance examinations, various states also conduct their own MBA entrance test for admission. Qualifying candidates can be admitted to any of the participating colleges across the state. Some of the top State-level exams include MAH MBA CET, OJEE MBA, TANCET, APICET, and KMAT.

University Entrance Test: Some of the reputed MBA colleges conduct various tests at the university level for the admission of their students. Such university-level tests are NMAT/NMIMS, CUSAT, SNAP, and IPU CET.

Top MBA Entrance Exams in India

An MBA degree requires applicants to pass entrance examinations such as the Common Admission Test (CAT), Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), and NMAT to get admission to top MBA colleges in India. Some of the MBA entrance exams are mentioned in this section.

Resources for MBA Entrance Exams

CAT is a highly competitive examination, making it one of the most difficult exams in India. To get into top management institutes in India, students need to score between 95-99 percentile, which is very difficult if the students have not prepared thoroughly for the CAT examination. Therefore, students should have a preparation strategy in mind to prepare for each section of the CAT or any MBA entrance examination.

The framework of a management entrance examination typically consists of sections such as Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. MBA exams such as XAT also have a section on decision-making. In this section, we will discuss the various resources available for students preparing for the MBA entrance examinations.

Listed below are the links that will be very helpful for the students preparing for the MBA entrance examinations. They can find below the links related to preparation tips, study plans, and mock tests.

• CAT Mock Test Series - 20 Sets, Questions with Solutions By Experts
• 60-Day CAT Study Material by Experts
• SNAP Sample Paper, SNAP Preparation Course & Study Material
• CMAT 2025: 10 Free Mock Tests PDF with Detailed Solution

How To Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams

Candidates aspiring to pursue their MBA should have a good preparation strategy. MBA entrance tests are often very competitive with many candidates applying for admission. Listed below are some of the important tips and strategies for candidates aspiring to prepare for an MBA degree.

Understand the exam format-

Candidates should understand the exam format before applying for admission. Students can check the official website of the examination and study the exam pattern.

Check the exam syllabus

Once studying the exam format, students are advised to check the examination syllabus. Generally, the CAT examination consists of DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) and QA (Quantitative Aptitude).

Create a preparation schedule

Students, after checking the examination syllabus, should create a preparation plan based on their strengths and weaknesses. Students should allocate the time they feel most productive to challenging topics.

Coaching (Online or Offline)

Students can prepare for MBA entrance examinations either through offline or online coaching, depending on their preference. Enrolling in good coaching can significantly help in disciplined preparation.

Attempt Previous Year's Question Papers and Mocktests

Attempting the previous year's question papers and mock tests is one of the most important strategies in MBA preparation. It will provide them with an understanding of the exam pattern.

MBA Seats in Top Colleges

MBA is one of the most sought-after degree programmes in India and MBA seats in India have increased in both public and private Bschools and management colleges. In the tables below, we have mentioned the MBA seats of 2024 at the top private and public colleges.

Note - The number of seats might vary each year, depending on the specialisation and the colleges.

Also Read- MBA Full Form in Hindi

MBA Cutoff for Top MBA Colleges

MBA cutoff depends on various factors, majorly on the entrance examination, such as CAT, MAT, XAT, and NMAT. Other parameters are the number of applicants and the difficulty level of the entrance exam. The details of the MBA cut-offs are also mentioned in the batch profile and the category and specialisation-wise rankings. In the table below, we have mentioned the CAT percentile 2023 of the top MBA colleges in India.

MBA Fee Structure

The MBA fee structure varies depending on the college. The MBA fees may vary based on the resources that students can access through their colleges in India. Students may also use the amenities provided by the university. In addition to all of these services, the MBA fees also cover the tuition fee.

The average MBA fee structure for top MBA colleges in India, such as IIMs, SPJIMR, and MDI Gurgaon, is around Rs. 20 Lakhs to Rs. 25 Lakhs for the entire MBA course. Additionally, other government colleges in India charge minimal average MBA fees of around Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 4 LPA.

See Also: 11 Cheapest Colleges to Study MBA Course in India

MBA Syllabus and Subjects

The course duration of an MBA is two years, which is divided into four semesters and an internship. In the tables below, we have mentioned the MBA courses list, which is divided into four semesters. In the first and second tables, we have mentioned the MBA 1st-year subjects and 2nd-year subjects, respectively.

MBA 1st Year Subjects

In the first year of the MBA course, students study the introductory subjects of the MBA degree. Some of the subjects are Business Communication, Business Research Methods, Organisational Behaviour, Management Science, Computer Applications, Management Information Systems, and the Economics Environment of Business. In the table below, we have discussed the MBA first-year syllabus.

MBA 2nd Year Subjects

MBA 2nd year subjects are mainly focused on the specific specialisation that students choose according to their preference. In the table below, we have mentioned the MBA syllabus for the 2nd year.

Browse Top MBA Colleges By Location

There are various MBA colleges in India which offer quality management education and top specialisations according to the candidate’s interest. Some of these colleges in India are popular owing to their prime location and proximity to industrial and business corporations. In the table below, we have mentioned the MBA colleges in India by location:

• MBA Colleges in Delhi
• MBA Colleges in Pune
• MBA Colleges in Jaipur
• MBA Colleges in Kolkata
• MBA Colleges in Bhopal
• MBA Colleges in Mumbai
• MBA Colleges in Chennai
• MBA Colleges in Bangalore

Browse MBA Colleges By States

There are various B-schools in India which offer quality education and in various specialisations. In the table below, we have mentioned the B-schools in India by state:

• MBA Colleges in UP
• MBA Colleges in MP
• MBA Colleges in Punjab
• MBA Colleges in Karnataka
• MBA Colleges in Telangana
• MBA Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• MBA Colleges in Maharashtra
• MBA Colleges in Andhra Pradesh

Top Private MBA Colleges in India with Fees

In India, several private MBA colleges are offering MBA programs. Private colleges are significantly more expensive than public universities. Some of the top private colleges and also MBA course fees are discussed below:

Top Government MBA Colleges in India with Fees

Attending a government-run management college is less expensive than attending a private college. These government colleges are well-known for their high academic standards throughout India. The following are some of the best government colleges and also MBA course fees:

What After MBA?

After completing an MBA, students can either start working as full-time professionals or pursue their startups or pursue higher studies. In India, many companies offer MBA jobs to graduates with appropriate skills and experience. Listed below are some of the options available after graduating with an MBA.

• After completing an MBA, students can start working as full-time employees in the corporate sector and earn an average salary of around Rs. 12 LPA.
• MBA graduates can also apply for a PhD programme in management or a related field.

MBA Employment Opportunities

Many students take up MBA degrees to get a job after completing their studies. After getting an MBA degree, many of them find MBA job opportunities in various industries such as Human Resources, Finance, and Operations.

Salary After MBA

MBA salary depends on the MBA specialisation chosen by the students. After pursuing an MBA course in India, the average MBA salary is around Rs 4 LPA to Rs. 32 LPA per annum. The types of MBA jobs you can eventually end up in will depend on the MBA specialisation you choose.

Most of the time, management students are selected from the marketing specialisation. MBA specialisation, experience, industry, college, and designation are some of the important factors on which the MBA salary depends. In the table below, we have mentioned the salaries of MBA graduates in India.

Job Profile and Salary for Top Private Recruiters

Source: Ambition Box

Job Profile and Salary for Top Public Recruiters

Source: Ambition Box

Read more: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online MBA Course

Top Recruiters

Many recruiters hire MBA freshers for various job openings in different sectors once they complete an MBA programme. The top recruiters in a wide range of industries who offer MBA jobs are listed below.

• Google
• Deloitte
• Flipkart
• SBI
• EY
• Amazon
• Microsoft
• Larsen & Toubro

MBA is one of the sought-after courses for students after graduation and also benefits working professionals to excel in their careers. The MBA degree programme equips candidates with various management knowledge and skills. Some of the career options that candidates can choose after completing an MBA programme are Manager, Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, and HR Manager.