What is MBA? The full form, courses, and admissions 2022
MBA full form is Master of business administration. It is an internationally recognized post-graduate program that equips its students with the necessary skills to make a career in business and management. In addition to providing holistic business education, it offers a platform to develop leadership skills, build a professional network, and accelerate your career trajectory to earn a six-figure salary. The admissions for 2022 intake are now open, with the majority of the top MBA colleges announcing their application deadlines.
Although not compulsory, a majority of students who pursue MBA courses have done BBA under graduation. Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree or are in their final year of it are also eligible to apply for MBA degree admission in India. However, foreign universities require at least three to five years of experience when it comes to an MBA degree admission. MBA degree graduates are welcomed across private as well as public sectors. There are various types of MBA specialisations available for students belonging to different fields.
What is the full form of an MBA?
The full form of MBA in English is Master of Business Administration. There are various types of MBA courses such as part-time MBA, online MBA, distance MBA, and executive MBA. In addition to this, an MBA degree also offers various specializations such as Human Resource Management, Sales and Marketing, Business Analytics, IT Management, and more.
Why choose MBA?
MBA degree is a popular master’s degree programme in the field of commerce, business, and management. The MBA degree offers various specialisations that are flexible and can be pursued by freshers as well as working professionals. The average MBA salary of graduates in India from tier-1 MBA colleges such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, MDI Gurgaon, and FMS Delhi is around Rs 20 lakh per annum. Corporate and business organisations have a huge vacancy for MBA jobs. Pursuing an MBA degree in India is a gateway to a plethora of employment opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria for MBA
The MBA eligibility criteria vary for every MBA college in India and depend on the type of MBA courses one chooses to pursue. However, some of the common eligibility criteria for all types of MBA courses are mentioned below:
- Candidates must have completed their bachelor’s degree or be in their final year of bachelor’s degree from any stream constituting a minimum duration of three years.
- Some of the popular bachelor’s degree programmes are B.Tech, B.Sc, BA, BBA, B.Com.
- Candidates must have scored at least 50 per cent aggregate throughout their bachelor’s degree. (60 per cent in the case of IIMs).
- Candidates must have obtained a minimum of 60 per cent score in their class 12 final exams from a recognised board of India.
- Candidates must clear the entrance examination with the required MBA cutoff as specified by the MBA colleges.
Skills required for MBA
After completing an MBA degree, a candidate is expected to work as a manager for companies. In order to be successful, the candidate should have the necessary skills and qualities to be a leader. Some of the essential skills required by MBA candidates are discussed below:
Managerial skills: A candidate with an MBA course should have the necessary managerial skills to handle multiple assignments and responsibilities. Good managerial skills are necessary for successful management as the person is required to undertake several tasks in a leadership role.
Learning Skills: MBA is a degree programme that requires students to keep up to date with the latest business developments. The MBA degree requires students to maintain a level of learning and remain up-to-date with the latest business developments.
Analytical Skills: Aside from business, an MBA course also includes analytical skills. In order to make sense of the huge amounts of data that are being collected by businesses, candidates should have the necessary data interpretation skills.
Communication skills: Aside from being able to communicate clearly and confidently, candidates also need to possess a good understanding of rules and regulations in order to perform their duties effectively. MBA degree requires students to have clear and concise verbal, and written communication skills.
Decision-making skills: A successful MBA candidate must be able to make decisions according to the business’s best interests. An MBA candidate must be able to make decisions that are in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.
Difference between MBA and PGDM
For a layman, the difference between MBA and PGDM can be a little difficult to understand. At first glance both might look the same as well in terms of curriculum and value addition, however, there are certain differences between the two. The primary distinction is that MBA is a degree and a PGDM is a Diploma course. Secondly, PGDM programme is offered by stand-alone institutions or autonomous bodies, whereas MBA is offered by universities or colleges affiliated with universities. If we discuss the duration, an MBA programme is for two years divided into four semesters, whereas a PGDM programme can be anything between one year to two and a half years. These are the primary differences between MBA and PGDM. To know the differences in detail you can read Career360’s article on the difference between PGDM and MBA.
Also read: How to Choose the Best Online MBA Course in India?
MBA Admission Process
Most of the time, admission to MBA is provided to business schools in India on the basis of entrance exams. However, some of these schools prefer to conduct their own entrance exams and offer admission on the basis of scores.
MBA Admission on the basis of merit
Admission to MBA programs in private and public universities is based on the level of examination held by the relevant state or national organizations. This MBA admission process is carried out entirely on the basis of entrance exams.
MBA Admission on the basis of entrance examination
All the eligible candidates who are interested in pursuing MBA courses and programmes in India need to qualify for the entrance exams depending on the institute to which they are applying. They also have to go through various screening and interview procedures before they are selected.
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, IIFT.
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, and more.
You may also read: MBA Entrance Exams
Common Admission Test (CAT):
The Common Admissions Test or CAT is one of the largest management entrance examinations conducted in India by one of the IIM(s) for MBA admission. The top MBA colleges in India require students to appear in the CAT examination in order to take admitted to their institutions. Best colleges for MBA generally ask for a CAT score at the time of admission. Candidates can find relevant CAT details mentioned in the table below:
| CAT Eligibility Criteria | CAT Application Form |
| CAT Syllabus | CAT Exam Dates |
| CAT Exam Pattern | CAT Cutoff |
| CAT Preparation Tips | CAT Result |
| CAT Selection Process | CAT Exam Answer Key |
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NMAT (Narsee Monjee Admission Test):
The NMAT examination is a university-level management entrance test conducted by GMAC on behalf of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Candidates who clear the NMAT exam, followed by group discussion and personal interview are offered MBA admission to NMIMS. The relevant NMAT details are mentioned below in the table:
XAT (Xavier’s Aptitude Test)
XAT is one of the most popular MBA entrance examinations accepted by almost 170 institutions for MBA admission. Some of the best colleges in India accept XAT scores. The XAT exam is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur in order to provide MBA admission to various types of MBA courses. The relevant XAT details are mentioned below in the table:
| XAT Eligibility Criteria | XAT Exam Dates |
| XAT Admit Card | XAT Syllabus |
| XAT Exam Pattern | XAT Result |
| XAT Cutoff | XAT Preparation Tips |
| XAT Selection Process | XAT Application form |
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
SNAP or Symbiosis National Aptitude Online Test is a national-level online examination conducted by Symbiosis University. Candidates who qualify for the entrance examination along with group discussion and personal interviews are offered MBA admission to one of the 16 symbiosis colleges. The relevant SNAP details are mentioned below in the table:
| SNAP Dates | SNAP Syllabus |
| SNAP Eligibility Criteria | SNAP Application Process |
| SNAP Admit Card | SNAP Result |
| SNAP Cutoff | SNAP Selection Process |
IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade)
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade is considered one of the best colleges for MBA and conducts a national level yearly entrance examination for admission to three specializations offered by the institute. Candidates who qualify for the examination along with group discussion and personal interviews are offered admission to IIFT, New Delhi. The relevant IIFT details are mentioned below in the table:
| IIFT Dates | IIFT Syllabus |
| IIFT Eligibility Criteria | IIFT Application process |
| IIFT Admit Card | IIFT Result |
| IIFT Cutoff | IIFT Selection Process |
Also read: Online MBA vs Distance MBA: Which is Right for You?
MBA Cutoff
The MBA cut-offs are released for every MBA college after the admission process is over. The details of the cut-offs are also mentioned in the batch profile and the category and specialisation wise rankings. The batch profile of MBA degree programmes includes various factors such as student’s academic background, average age, and more. Below is the list of top MBA colleges in India. You can also see their cut-off details.
| Name of Institute | Cutoff (CAT, XAT) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 percentile |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 percentile |
| IIM Calcutta | 80 percentile |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 percentile |
| IIT Kharagpur | 90 percentile |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 percentile |
| IIM Indore | 90 percentile |
| IIT Delhi | 90 percentile |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 94 percentile |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95 percentile |
State-level MBA Admission
In addition to national-level entrance examinations, various states also conduct their own management entrance test for MBA 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, and more.
Top MBA colleges with Popular MBA Exams:
Various MBA colleges in India conduct multiple entrance examinations for their students. Several MBA colleges in India accept multiple entrance examinations depending on the eligibility criteria and entrance requirements.
| Institutions | MBA Exam |
| IIM Ahmedabad | CAT |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | XAT |
| Symbiosis University | SNAP |
| NMIMS Mumbai | NMAT |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | IIFT |
| IIM Bangalore | CAT |
| UPES Dehradun | CAT |
| IBS Hyderabad | CAT |
| FMS Delhi | CAT |
| Woxsen School of Business | XAT |
Read more: Which One to Choose: Regular MBA vs Online MBA?
What is an Online MBA Degree?
The online MBA courses are the most relevant degree program in a time of pandemic where we can easily get the degree and guidance from faculties all over the world. You can take admission to your preferred management college from across the globe and also join the lectures from your home for online MBA courses. Online MBA programs are a blessing in disguise, as it is most helpful for working professionals, who can manage to attend the classes regularly without missing any important deadlines of their important projects in the office.
Also read: Online MBA vs Executive MBA: Choose the Better
Browse Best MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Location-Wise
You may also read: Is Online MBA Recognized by UGC?
Browse Top MBA Colleges By Location:
There are various best colleges for MBA in India which offer quality education and top specialisations according to the candidate’s interest. Some of these colleges are popular due to their prime location and close proximity to industrial and business corporations. You may browse these colleges by location as mentioned below:
You can also read: UGC Approved Online MBA Universities/Colleges in India for Working Professionals
MBA Syllabus
The regular MBA course is basically of two-year duration which is divided into four semesters that include an internship as well. Listed below are semester-wise MBA subjects for a regular MBA programme:
Semester 1
| Business Communication | Marketing Management |
| Organisational Behaviour | Human Resource Management |
| Computer Applications & Management Information System | Quantitative Methods |
| Financial Accounting | Managerial Economics |
Semester 2
| Business Research Methods | Operation Management |
| Management Science | Management Accounting |
| Economic Environment of Business | Production Operations and SCM |
| Organization Effectiveness and Change | Legal Aspects of Business |
Semester 3
| Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility | Strategic Analysis |
| Elective Course II | Elective Course I |
| Legal Environment of Business | Digital Marketing |
| Elective Course III | Elective Course IV |
Semester 4
| Corporate Governance | Entrepreneurship Development |
| Elective 1 | Cyber Security |
| Elective 2 | Elective 3 |
| Elective 4 | Elective 5 |
Also read: 7 Best Online MBA Specializations with Eligibility, Fees, and Admission Process
Top MBA Specializations
The MBA degree is designed to give exposure to students in various fields of study. It is typically divided into two batches, the first one having specialization and the second one having a general management or business administration background. Usually, students are given the option to select both core and elective subjects in the first and second year respectively.
Also read: 10 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs for Students in India
What after MBA?
After securing an MBA degree, candidates can either start working as a full-time professional or pursue their own startup or higher studies. There are various companies that offer MBA jobs to candidates 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 lakh per annum.
Option 2: Candidates can also choose to pursue a PhD programme in management or a related field.
Read more: What is the Scope of an Online MBA?
Career Options after MBA
Many students take up MBA degrees in order to get a job after completing their studies. After getting an MBA, many of them find MBA job opportunities in various industries such as Human Resources, Finance, and Operations.
Manager: A manager is responsible for the management of a team, department, or organization. He or she works as a leader of a team and supervises the work of its members.
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 maximized.
Marketing Manager: A marketing manager is responsible for various tasks and responsibilities related to marketing such as campaigns, sales tasks, client proposals and marketing of different products.
HR Manager: A human resource manager is responsible for the management of the human resources function of an organization. His or her responsibilities include the recruitment process, employee relations, and professional dispute resolution.
Also Read: How Can an Online MBA Degree Benefit Your Career?
Top Recruiters
After graduating from an MBA programme, many recruiters hire MBA freshers to fill various job openings in various sectors. MBA freshers can find the best recruiters across various industries through various channels.
| Deloitte | |
| NTPC | Citibank |
| ITC | Vodafone |
| Larsen & Toubro | Nestle |
| Flipkart | Microsoft |
| Amazon | Wipro |
Also Read: Top Free Online MBA Courses with Certificates in India
Salary after MBA
MBA salary depends on the specialization chosen by the candidate. After MBA in India, the average salary for the highest-earning job candidates is around Rs 4,00,000 to Rs. 32,00,000 per annum. Your MBA specialization will determine the types of jobs that you will be able to secure in the future. Having the right one can help boost your resume and improve your chances of landing a job. Most of the time, the students are selected from the marketing specialization. Some of the crucial factors determining the salary are MBA specialization opted by the candidate, experience of the candidate, industry, institute/college from which a candidate has passed, and designation.
Read more: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online MBA Course
| MBA Specialization | Average MBA Salary |
| MBA in Finance | Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 14,70,000 |
| MBA in Information Technology | Rs 10,000 to Rs 6,00,000 |
| MBA in Human Resource Management | Rs 4,50,000 to Rs 15,50,000 |
| MBA in Marketing | Rs 14,25,000 to Rs 20,43,000 |
| MBA in Logistics Management | Rs 6,25,000 to Rs 8,50,000 |
Employment areas
Before a candidate decides to take up an MBA, it is essential that they thoroughly understand the programme’s scope and the various benefits that it has to offer. Several candidates from various domains are planning on taking up the MBA Programme to boost their career paths. This is because having an MBA degree is very important for a successful career. There are a plethora of MBA jobs available in the industry with handsome MBA salaries.
Read more: 7 Reasons to Pursue an Online MBA Degree
Top Private MBA Colleges in India
There are various private MBA colleges in India that offer MBA degree programmes. These MBA colleges are known for their quality and reputation. Candidates can check the top private MBA colleges in India mentioned in the table below:
Read more: Top Business Schools for Online MBA Programs in India
Also Read: Is an Online MBA Valid in India?
Top Government MBA Colleges in India
The government MBA colleges in India are the most popular among students and are considered the best in terms of ROI and placements. Candidates can find the list of top government MBA colleges in India mentioned below in the table:
For more Government MBA colleges in India, please visit here.
