Top 20 Executive MBA Colleges in India

Executive MBA is devised for professionals working at an advanced stage of their careers. A number of B-schools across the world offer EMBA in either full-time or part-time mode. In India, candidates are generally shortlisted for Executive MBA as per their GMAT/GRE scores. Some of the B-schools also provide admission on the basis of CAT. Below is a comprehensive list of the top 20 Executive MBA Colleges in India. The list presents the ranking of institutes as published by standard sources such as The Week, NIRF-MHRD, and India Today. The list is prepared according to average GMAT/other test scores, the quality of EMBA programs, top recruiters, placement success, and other such factors.

Institute	Programme/s	Duration & Format	Entrance Test	Minimum Work Exp. (years)
MDI Gurgaon	PGDM - BA	24 Month Program	ATMA/ MAT/ CAT/ GMAT/ CMAT/ XAT	3
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai	PGXPM	20 months (part-time)	CAT/ XAT/ EA by GMAC	8
SDA Bocconi Asia Center	IEMB (International Executive Master in Business)	15 months (Hybrid)	GMAT, GRE, Bocconi Test	9
Indian School of Business (ISB)	PGPpro	18 months (weekends)	CAT, XAT, GMAT	5-12
Indian School of Business (ISB)	PGPMAX	15 months (part-time)	-	10
IIM Kashipur, Dehradun	MBA-WX	2 years (weekends)	CAT/GMAT score	3
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Udaipur	EMBA	1 year (full-time)	GMAT/ GRE, CAT score	3
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore	EPGP	1 year (full-time)	GMAT/ GRE	5
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore	PGPEM	2 years (weekends)	GMAT/ GRE/ CAT/ IIMB test	4
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad	MBA-PGPX	1 year (full-time)	GMAT/ GRE	4
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta	MBAEx	1 year (full-time)	GMAT	5
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow	WMP / PGPWE	2 years (weekends)	GMAT/ CAT/ XAT/ GATE/PGP-WE Entrance Exam	3
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow	IPMX	1 year (full-time)	GMAT	5
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode	EPGP	2 years (weekend/evening/online)	GMAT/ EMAT/ CAT	3
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore	EPGP	1 year (full-time)	GMAT	5
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore	PGPMX	2 years (weekends)	Aptitude Test	5
Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur	PGDM (GM)	15 months (full-time)	GMAT/ XAT	5
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi	MBA Executive	2 years (full-time, evening)	General Ability Test	5
SP Jain School of Global Management	E-MBA	18 months (part-time)	Aptitude Test	3
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon	PGDM-EMP	3 years (part-time)	GMAT/ CAT/ MDI test	3
Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad	PGDM Executive	15 months (full-time)	GMAT/ CAT/ XAT	5
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi	EPGDIB	18 months (weekends)	-	3
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi	EPGDF	18 months (weekends)	-	3
NMIMS School of Business Management	EMBA	15 or 24 months (part-time)	GMAT/ NMAT/ Written Test	5
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), Pune	MBA Executive	30 months (weekdays/weekends)	-	2
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune	MBA Executive	30 months (weekends)	Online Exam	2
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong	PGPEx-MBEE	1 year (full-time)	GMAT/ CAT	5
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong	MBA (Working Executives)	2-3 years (weekends)	-	3-5
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Tiruchirappalli	PGPBM	2 years (weekend)	GMAT/ CAT/ Written Test	3

Executive MBA offers a similar set of specializations as a standard 2-year MBA program.

The graduates get handsome packages with reported average salaries of over Rs. 30 lacs in top colleges. In the past, graduates of some of the top colleges have received offers for even top management roles such as CFO or COO. This is primarily because the Executive MBA provides a wholesome learning experience to students, given the diversity in the batch and exposure to the corporate world. As such, graduates from this program are better aligned with the requirements of the corporate world.

The course fee for Executive MBA programs in the country is about Rs. 25 lacs on average for a 1-year duration. The fee is equivalent to that of the top colleges that run the PGDM programs for 2 years. While the total fee may be the same, one less year benefits students.

Key Benefits of Executive MBA Programs:

Low Opportunity Cost: Since the programs are typically designed to span a duration of one year, the opportunity cost of pursuing an Executive MBA is significantly lower when compared to a regular MBA.
Placement Opportunities: Students in regular MBA programs start mostly at junior or middle management roles after completing the programs. However, as highlighted above, E-MBA graduates are offered senior profiles given their professional and academic backgrounds.
Exposure: The batch of Executive MBA programs often consists of professionals from middle and senior management levels of different organizations. The diversity in the work profile of these professionals also contributes to a wholesome learning environment. Discussions on theoretical concepts are well mixed with practical experiences to reflect upon.
Networking: The mix of profiles from different industries around the country gives students an excellent opportunity to build connections.
Develop Leadership Skills: The programs place a lot of emphasis on developing management skills to nurture future leaders.

Clear Common Myths Surrounding CAT-MBA Preparation

Embarking on the journey to prepare for an MBA is an important decision for a student. However, before starting one’s journey, it is crucial to address the myths and misconceptions that surround MBA preparation. These unfounded beliefs can significantly hinder progress and lead to unnecessary stress and confusion. Below are some common myths surrounding MBA preparation:

1. Only Top Students Get into Good MBA Colleges

A common misconception that haunts many aspirants is the belief that securing a spot in top MBA colleges is nearly impossible without extraordinary scores, specifically above the 90 percentile in the CAT exam. This myth can be particularly daunting, causing many to doubt their chances even before they've begun. However, it's important to recognize that the landscape of MBA education is vast and diverse. There are over 100 reputable MBA colleges where admission criteria are more accessible, sometimes as low as an 80 percentile. These institutions offer quality education and impressive placements comparable to their more illustrious counterparts.

2. Engineers Have an Unfair Advantage in Cracking MBA Exams

Another pervasive myth is that MBA programs are exclusively designed for engineers. This belief stems from the emphasis on quant and maths in MBA entrance exams. However, these exams are comprehensive in nature, also testing English proficiency and reasoning skills. Non-engineers have their unique strengths in verbal and analytical areas, which they can capitalize on and score well in the exam. Moreover, the level of math required is often limited to that of Class X, which is manageable with consistent preparation.

3. Work Experience is a Must to Get into MBA

The belief that work experience is a prerequisite for pursuing an MBA is another myth that needs clarification. While possessing work experience can indeed be advantageous, it's not a mandatory criterion for most top MBA programs. It is interesting to note that in the top 40 colleges in India, the percentage of freshers is more than that of students with work experience.

4. The Fees of MBA Programs are Prohibitively High

The notion that MBA courses are prohibitively expensive and beyond reach is a half-truth. While there are programs with high tuition fees, the return on investment through guaranteed placements and accelerated career growth often outweighs the initial cost. Furthermore, the availability of education loans has made these programs more accessible. Additionally, several well-known B-schools affiliated with central or state universities, such as FMS (Delhi University) and UBS (Panjab University), offer high-quality programs at a fraction of the cost, approximately around Rs. 2 lakhs.

5. Placements are Poor Post-MBA

The apprehension regarding job prospects post-MBA is largely unfounded, especially for graduates from recognized colleges. These institutions boast nearly 100% placement rates, reflecting the strong demand for MBA graduates. Even Tier-II MBA colleges offer 100% placement with average salaries ranging from Rs 8 Lakh-Rs 15 lakhs.

How is the Popularity of Executive MBA Programs Rising Among Indian Professionals?

One-year full-time Executive MBA programs (EMBA) are rising in India due to multiple factors such as shorter duration (12-15 months), lower fees compared to two-year programs, lesser competition, and good placement opportunities. ISB is the pioneer of Executive MBA in India, starting the first batch in 2001 with only 125 students. Today, ISB has two campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali with over 1000 students.

Currently, over 25 top institutes, including the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, NMIMS, and Symbiosis, among others, have joined the league. Most of the executive programs require at least two years of work experience at the managerial or executive level as eligibility criteria for admission. This is essential for the program to build a healthy learning environment for a superior learning experience.

GMAT and GRE are the most commonly taken entrance tests for admission to EMBA. Besides GMAT scores, colleges put a lot of emphasis on the duration and quality of work experience, academic background, application essays, and the interview process. A GMAT score of 700+ is a must for admission to top colleges, but there are many good colleges in the 600-700 range as well.

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