MBA: Full Form, Course, Admission 2025, Fees, Duration, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope

MBA: Full Form, Course, Admission 2025, Fees, Duration, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope

Edited By Ankita Sinha | Updated on Nov 16, 2024 04:43 PM IST | #MBA

MBA full form is Master of Business Administration, is a 2-year postgraduate degree programme in the field of management and business administration. Candidates need to complete their bachelor's degree programme in any field, which is 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 MBA in various specialisations, such as Finance, Human Resource, Digital Marketing and Retail Management.

The selection process of IIMs happens in 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 majority b-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.

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What is MBA Full Form?

The full form of MBA is Master of Business Administration, which can be pursued by students from any background. There are multiple MBA specialisations, such as accounting, financial management, cost and management accounting, human resource management, marketing, and strategic management.

Also Read:

MBA Course Details

Particulars

Details

Course Name

MBA

MBA Full FormMaster of Business Administration

MBA Course Level

Postgraduate

MBA Course TypesFull-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Distance MBA, Executive MBA, Online MBA, and Integrated MBA

MBA Course Duration

Full-time MBA: 2 years

Executive MBA: 1 - 1.5 year

Online/ Distance MBA: 2 years

Integrated MBA: 5 years

MBA Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must pass a bachelor's degree in any specialisation from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent (In the case of IIMs, it is 60 per cent).

MBA Entrance Examinations

CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, GMAT, NMAT

MBA Top Colleges

IIMs, MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, XLRI

MBA Specialisations

MBA in Finance, MBA in Sales, MBA in Human Resources, MBA in Marketing, MBA in Business Analytics, MBA in Digital Marketing

Average MBA feesGovernment colleges: Rs 50,000 to Rs 4 lakh
Private colleges: Rs 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh
MBA JobsManager, Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, HR Manager
Average MBA SalaryRs. 15,00,000 LPA
MBA Top RecruitersGoogle, Deloitte, NTPC, Citibank, ITC, Vodafone, Larsen & Toubro, Microsoft Amazon, Wipro, PwC

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 MBA college and developing managerial skills which 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 lakhs per year 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

MBA degree programme is one of the 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

MBA degree has various specialisations that focus on general business administration along with specific topics. 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 MBA in FinTech, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Aviation 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.

Particulars

MBA Eligibility Criteria

Marks Required

50 per cent or more

Eligibility

Graduate in any bachelor's degree programme

Entrance Exams

CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, GMAT

Admission Process

Entrance Exam + Group Discussion + Personal Interview

Work Experience

Not required except for the Executive MBA

Who Can Do 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, 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

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.

Also read: Top Online MBA Specialisations To Pursue

Skills Required for MBA Course

Candidates who opt for an MBA course is anticipated to work in management in a business after graduation. To succeed, candidates must possess the requisite leadership abilities and traits. MBA qualification not only includes the bachelor's degree but also some major skills like, managerial, analytical and decision-making skills.

  • Learning skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Managerial skills
  • Communication skills
  • Decision-making skills

Top MBA Entrance Exams in India

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

Exam Name

Level

Conducting Body

Exam Schedule

CAT

National

IIM Lucknow

CAT Exam Schedule

MAT

National

All India Management Association

MAT Exam Schedule

XAT

National

XLRI Jamshedpur

XAT Exam Schedule

CMAT

National

National Testing Agency

CMAT Exam Schedule

NMAT

National

Graduate Management Admission Council

NMAT Exam Schedule

Read more: Which One to Choose: Regular MBA vs Online MBA?

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.

For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) -

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • How to Prepare for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
  • Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary

For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) -

  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT by Arun Sharma
  • How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Nishit Sinha's The Pearson Guide to Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation

For Quantitative Ability (QA) -

  • The Complete CAT Digest by Arun Sharma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Ability for CAT by Arun Sharma

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.

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 MBA programme is based on the merit list of these MBA colleges in India, although some colleges decide to conduct their own 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 on the basis of 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: There are many entrance exams that 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 take admission to any of the participating colleges across the state. Some of the top State-level exams include MAH MBA CET, OJEE MBA, TANCET, APICET, 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, IPU CET.

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 the public and private b-schools and management colleges. In the tables below, we have mentioned the MBA seats of 2024 at top private and public colleges.

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

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.

List of IIMs

CAT Percentile for IIM

IIM NIRF Rank 2023

IIM Ahmedabad

99-100

1

IIM Bangalore

99-100

2

IIM Calcutta

99

4

IIM Lucknow

97+

6

IIM Indore

97+

8

IIM Kozhikode

97 to 98

3

IIM Amritsar

95+

51

IIM Nagpur

95+

43

IIM Sambalpur

95+

58

IIM Trichy

94

22

MBA Fees

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. four lakhs per annum.

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

MBA Syllabus and Subjects

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

MBA 1st Year Subjects

MBA 1st year syllabus covers the introductory subjects of the MBA degree programme. Some of the subjects are Business Communication, Business Research Methods, Organisational Behaviour, Management Science, Computer Applications and Management Information Systems and Economic Environment of Business. In the table below we have discussed the MBA first-year syllabus.

Semester I

Semester II

Business Communication

Business Research Methods

Organisational Behaviour

Management Science

Computer Applications & Management Information System

Economic Environment of Business

Financial Accounting

Organisation Effectiveness and Change

Marketing Management

Operation Management

Human Resource Management

Management Accounting

Quantitative Methods

Production Operations and SCM

Managerial Economics

Legal Aspects of Business

MBA 2nd Year Subjects

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

Semester III

Semester IV

Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Governance

Elective Course II

Elective One

Legal Environment of Business

Elective Two

Elective Course III

Elective Four

Strategic Analysis

Entrepreneurship Development

Elective Course I

Cyber Security

Digital Marketing

Elective Three

Elective Course IV

Elective Five

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 close proximity to industrial and business corporations. In the table below, we have mentioned the MBA colleges in India by location as mentioned below:

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 as mentioned below:

Top Private MBA Colleges in India with Fees

In India, there are a number of private MBA colleges in India 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:

Colleges

Fees

NIRF Rank

IIM Ahmedabad

Rs. 24.61 Lakhs

1

IIM Bangalore

Rs. 24.50 Lakhs

2

IIM Mumbai (NITIE)

14 Lakhs

7

IIM Udaipur

19.26 Lakhs

16

IIT Roorkee

8.52 Lakhs

18

IIM Kashipur

17.21 Lakhs

19

IIT Kanpur

3.01 Lakhs

23

IIM Ranchi

17.30 Lakhs

24

JMI New Delhi

47,000

25

IIFT Delhi

17.17 Lakhs

27

What After MBA?

After pursuing an MBA in India, students can either start working as full-time professionals or pursue their own startup or higher studies. There are various companies that offer MBA jobs to graduates with appropriate skills and experience.

Option 1: After completing an MBA degree programme, candidates can start working as full-time employees in the corporate sector with an average salary of around Rs. 12 lakhs per annum.

Option 2: Candidates can also choose to pursue a PhD programme in management or a related field.

MBA Employment Opportunities

Many students take up MBA degrees in order 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.

Job ProfileJob DescriptionAverage Salary
ManagerA manager is responsible for the management of a team, department, or organisation. He or she works as a leader of a team and supervises the work of its members.

Rs. 11.6 LPA



Sales Manager
A sales manager is responsible for the management of all the tasks involved in the sales process. This professional is also responsible for ensuring that the targets are met and that profits are maximised.

Rs. 5.0 LPA


Marketing ManagerA marketing manager is responsible for various tasks and responsibilities related to marketing such as campaigns, sales tasks, client proposals and marketing of different products.

Rs. 7.0 LPA


HR Manager
A human resource manager is responsible for the management of the human resources function of an organisation. His or her responsibilities include the recruitment process, employee relations, and professional dispute resolution.

Rs. 6.6 LPA


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 4,00,000 to Rs. 32,00,000 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 salary of MBA graduates in India.

Job Profile and Salary for Top Private Recruiters

Job Profile

Average Salary

Organisation Name: Deloitte

Risk Management Analyst

Rs. 6.3 LPA

HR Manager

Rs. 15.2 LPA

Sales Manager

Rs. 6.3 LPA

Marketing Manager

Rs. 18.4 LPA

Brand Manager

Rs. 19.1 LPA

Source: Ambition Box

Job Profile and Salary for Top Public Recruiters

Job Profile

Average Salary

Organisation Name: SBI

Bank Branch Manager

Rs. 17.8 LPA

Relationship Manager

Rs. 10.9 LPA

Credit Manager

Rs. 18.4 LPA

Business Analyst

Rs. 12.0 LPA

Sales Manager

Rs. 4.7 LPA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an MBA course?

An MBA is a postgraduate-level degree that offers both practical and theoretical knowledge in business, finance and investment management. Master of Business Administration is a professional degree programme of two years. MBA degrees can be offered in various modes, such as online MBA, part-time MBA, Distance MBA, Integrated MBA, and Executive MBA.

2. What is the course duration of an MBA?

The total duration of a full time MBA degree programme is two years equally segregated into four semesters.

3. What is eligibility for MBA?

MBA requirement is a bachelor's degree in any stream is eligible to participate in an MBA postgraduate programme.

4. What is the admission process for an MBA degree programme?

The admission to MBA degree programmes 2024 in private and government colleges is provided on the basis of national, state or university level entrance examination.

5. What are some of the top MBA entrance examinations?

Some of the top MBA entrance examinations are CAT, XAT, SNAP, CMAT, IIFT.

6. What is the difference between MBA and PGDM?

An MBA is a degree, but a PGDM is a diploma programme, and that is the fundamental distinction between the two. PGDM programme is offered by stand-alone institutions or autonomous bodies, whereas MBA is offered by universities or MBA colleges affiliated with top management universities.

7. What are the MBA qualifications?

If you want to pursue a master's degree in business administration, then students must check the MBA qualifications, which include a bachelor's degree programme in any specialisation and some skills such as analytical, managerial and decision-making skills.

8. Which job roles are most common for MBA candidates?

Sales manager, executive manager, operations manager, human resource manager, and supply chain manager are a few of the most sought-after professions for MBA candidates.

9. Can I join MBA without CAT?

Yes, you can join MBA degree programme, without a CAT score, you need to meet other MBA eligibility criteria, such as the need to pass a bachelor's degree programme, and can also appear for the other entrance examination, like MAT, XAT, and CMAT.

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Questions related to MBA

Have a question related to MBA ?

For an MBA specially in IT,you can consider SCIT (Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology) which is generally considered the better choice compared to SICSR (Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research) as it has a stronger reputation specifically focused on IT business management and offers a more specialized curriculum in the field and has good placement record, making it a more relevant option for aspiring IT professionals seeking an MBA.

The curriculum is good and niche in the field in this college you need to be among top 20 performer in order to get quick and good placement through the college.

https://www.careers360.com/colleges/symbiosis-centre-for-information-technology-pune

https://www.careers360.com/colleges/symbiosis-institute-of-computer-studies-and-research-pune

No, it is not possible to pursue an MBA after your 3rd year of a BA LLB integrated course from a Mumbai University college as you need to complete your full BA LLB degree to be eligible for an MBA program.Since a BA LLB is a 5-year integrated course, completing only your 3rd year does not fulfill the requirement for an MBA.

Not only in this university but you cannot take admission to any master course before completing your b.a llb integrated course however you can take admission to bachelor's degree on the basis of your 12th marks.

I suggest you to continue with your course after completing apply to MBA anywhere in india.if you have time prepare for CAT exam which is accepted by iims and Mumbai University. Remember When choosing an MBA program, you can consider specializations relevant to your legal background, such as "Business Law" or "Intellectual Property Law" to leverage your existing knowledge.

To know about admission in mumbai university refer link

https://www.careers360.com/university/university-of-mumbai-mumbai

Hello

Yes ,  you are eligible .

Completing a 2 years Agriculture Diploma course makes you eligible for an MBA in Agriculture Business Management , as many programs accept students with backgrounds in agriculture or related fields . You likely need to meet additional requirements like entrance exams like such as CAT , MAT or other . specific institution or universities may have their own eligibility criteria .

For more details check link given below :

https://www.careers360.com/courses/mba-in-agri-business-management

Thank you

Hello,

If you are currently in your final year and have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, then selecting “appeared for bachelor’s” is the correct option. This option typically indicates that you have not yet graduated but are in the process of completing your degree.

The “bachelor degree” option would be appropriate only if you had already completed and been awarded your degree. Since you are still pursuing your final year, your initial selection of “appeared for bachelor’s” is accurate for your situation.

To get more information related to SNAP exam, visit : https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/snap-2024

Hope it helps !

Hello aspirant,

MBA 1st year subjects are as follows:

  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Managerial Economics
  • Financial Accounting
  • Marketing Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Business Communication
  • Information Technology Management
  • Organization Effectiveness and Change
  • Management Science
  • Economic Environment of Business
  • Financial Management
  • Management Accounting
  • Production and Operation Management

Thank you

Hope it helps you

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