Current Affairs for MBA Exams 2026: Topics, Pattern, and Preparation Strategy

Current Affairs for MBA Exams 2026: Topics, Pattern, and Preparation Strategy

Ongoing Event

XAT Application Date:10 Jul' 25 - 05 Dec' 25

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 15 Jul 2025, 11:47 AM IST

Current Affairs for MBA Exams: Current affairs and general knowledge are crucial components of MBA entrance exams and interviews. For students who want to get into MBA programs, staying updated with daily news is one of the easiest areas to excel in. You just need to read the news regularly and stay informed about what's happening around the world. When you are well-versed in current events, it helps you stand out from other students applying for MBA programs.

Current Affairs for MBA Exams 2026: Topics, Pattern, and Preparation Strategy
Current Affairs for MBA Exam

In this article of Careers360, you will find information about Current Affairs for MBA Entrances: Pattern followed, How to Prepare for the Current Affairs for MBA Exam, and Important Topics of Current Affairs for MBA Exams. Current affairs and general knowledge are critical parts of MBA entrance exams and interviews.

Current Affairs for MBA Entrances: Exam Pattern

The best thing about preparing for this section is that one doesn't need stacks of books to get the knowledge; all the required information can be gained from the internet or by reading the newspaper daily. As time progresses, modernisation is increasing, and more people are switching to more technological equipment; the information we need is just a click away.

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Let us first delve into the general awareness section, which includes current affairs questions for MBA interviews and entrance exams. We will discuss what this section consists of, its worth in terms of marks, and other relevant details. The general awareness section typically contains 30-35 questions. To be precise, XAT and CMAT have 25 questions, MAT has 40 questions, IIFT has 18 questions, and SNAP has 30 questions from the GK section.

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Candidates will be awarded 1 mark for each correct answer in XAT and MAT, but in CMAT, candidates will get 4 marks. In the IIFT, candidates will be awarded 0.5 marks per question.

How to Prepare for the Current Affairs for the MBA Exam?

As mentioned above, the easiest way to prepare for the General Awareness section of the MBA exam is to pick up a newspaper and start reading it. These topics can also be helpful for candidates preparing for current affairs in IIM interviews. The current affairs questions for MBA interview and entrance exam will be asked from the topics such as:

  • Economy

  • Indian Politics

  • Business and Corporate News

  • Organisations

  • New Developments in Science and Technology

  • People in the News

  • Sports

  • Miscellaneous

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Preparing for these topics is relatively easy. With proper planning and strategising, you can easily ace this section. Let's start with the topic-wise preparation.

Economy: The questions in the current affairs section will be related to the World Economy, Business Economy, and the Indian Economy. Around 5-10 questions will be asked about this topic. To prepare for this topic, keep track of the significant economic and financial decisions made by the union government. The focus should mainly be on the budget, GDP, inflation, and related topics.

Indian Politics: This course will cover all essential laws, constitutional amendments, government, and related subtopics. Reading the newspaper daily, surfing the internet to get knowledge regarding the constitution and hitting the GK books will help you prep up for current affairs.

Business and Corporate News: This is an essential topic for the SNAP and IIFT entrance exams. Questions related to taglines, mottos, mergers and acquisitions will be asked. There are the best books to prepare for this topic, or searching for the same on the internet will be equally helpful to boost your knowledge for the current affairs section for the MBA exams.

Organisations: The major events and decisions made by the Indian and International organisations will be taken into account, and related questions will be asked. Major organisational news is also essential. You can prepare for this topic by reading the business section of the newspaper and reading organisational and business-oriented books.

New Developments in Science and Technology: The questions will relate to IT, defence, communication, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, space, and other relevant fields. Reading the newspaper, educational magazines, and surfing the internet will help you gain knowledge on the same topic.

People in the News: Individuals who have made headlines for various reasons, such as those honoured for their deeds, authors, and awardees, are the types of questions that will be asked in this topic. You have to engage yourself with the newspapers, the latest GK books, and search for the relevant information on the internet to help you get knowledge of the same.

Sports: As the topic suggests, all the news and facts related to sports will be the type of questions that will be asked. Most candidates already have extensive knowledge of sports. To hone your knowledge of sports, you can dive into the sportsbooks that are available in every library, or you can read the sports section of the newspaper, or you opt for the internet.

Miscellaneous: Other essential topics, such as the culture of India, major Indian and international day celebrations, and similar subjects, will be covered in questions related to this topic. Newspapers, the internet, books, and magazines will help acquire the necessary knowledge.

Important Topics of Current Affairs for MBA Exams

Candidates preparing for the IIM interview and entrance exam by covering these essential topics of current affairs will also find it very helpful. From the following topics, current affairs questions for MBA interviews and entrance examinations can be asked, which should be the primary focus of the candidate while preparing for the exam.

XAT: Current affairs for the XAT exam will include the following topics that the candidates must prepare:

  • Management

  • Science & Technology

  • Economy

  • Politics

  • Sports

  • World

  • Government

  • Constitution of India, etc

IIFT: Candidates must prepare these current affairs topics for the IIFT exam mentioned below:

  • Economy

  • Sports

  • Organisations

  • Companies and Brands

  • Indian Political System & Constitution

  • Science & Technology

MAT: Candidates must primarily focus on the topics of current affairs for the MAT exam mentioned below for thorough preparation, along with static GK.

  • Economy

  • Business

  • Science

  • Polity

  • Geography

  • Sports

  • Miscellaneous events

SNAP: SNAP GK topics include recent events that have occurred in India and around the world over the last two years. In 2017, they began asking straightforward questions about general knowledge instead of tricky ones. They also ask about basic facts related to things like the Constitution and Geography, as well as current events. According to the pattern of the SNAP GK section, the most recent events that have occurred will be asked about first, followed by the older ones. Listed below are a few key topics in current affairs for the SNAP.

  • Business & Economy

  • International Events

  • Technology

  • Who's who—Appointments

  • Entertainment, Sports, Politics

  • Social Issues

CMAT: These crucial topics of current affairs for MBA interviews and entrance exams will be essential for the students appearing for exams like CMAT.

  • Indian Polity and Constitution - Policies of government, new initiatives/development.

  • Indian Economy - Budget and Recent Trends.

  • Business News - Related to major companies

  • Science & Technology - Recent inventions, developments, and progress.

  • Sports - International policies, agreements, pacts.

  • International Organisations - UNO

  • Environmental Issues

  • Global Events

  • Miscellaneous - Current affairs.

PGCET: Important topics of current affairs for the PGCET exam for MBA PG courses in Bangalore and the rest of Karnataka are listed below:

  • Current GK- based on the current reading of newspapers and periodicals;

  • Business & Economics GK -for example, changes in Fiscal and monetary policy, CRR, Repo Rate,

  • Devaluation and appreciation of the Rupee.

  • Business, National and International events

  • International Organisations

This section covers the exam-wise topics that candidates must prepare for when answering current affairs questions in the MBA interview and entrance exam.

The key to success in current affairs for MBA exams is consistency in reading, understanding the business implications of events, and regular revision. Focus on events from the past 12 to 18 months, with special emphasis on developments that have significant business implications. Knowing that your target exam includes current affairs helps you prepare more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do all MBA entrance exams have current affairs questions?
A:

No, not all MBA exams have current affairs questions. CAT doesn't have a separate current affairs section, but XAT, IIFT, SNAP, CMAT, and MAT all include current affairs questions in their general awareness sections.


Q: How many current affairs questions come in MBA exams?
A:

XAT has about 25 general knowledge questions, IIFT has around 35 questions, SNAP has 40 questions in general awareness, CMAT has 25 questions, and MAT has 40 questions. The exact number can change each year.

Q: How much time should I spend on current affairs daily?
A:

You should spend 30-45 minutes daily reading current affairs. This includes reading newspapers, taking notes, and quickly reviewing key events.

Q: Are current affairs questions tough in MBA exams?
A:

No, current affairs questions are usually at an easy to moderate level. They test your awareness of recent events rather than deep analysis. If you read regularly, you can score well on exams.

Q: Can I clear the MBA exams without preparing for current affairs?
A:

For exams like XAT, IIFT, SNAP, CMAT, and MAT, current affairs preparation is vital because it can help you score easily. Skipping it might hurt your overall score.

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Questions related to XAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to XAT ?

GIBS Business School in Bangalore accepts multiple national and state-level entrance exam scores for admission to its PGDM program. You can apply using scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, or various state-level CETs.

The admission process typically considers your entrance exam score along with your academic record, performance in the group discussion and personal interview, and any work experience you may have. For the BBA program, admissions are generally based on your Class 12 marks and do not require entrance exam scores.

If you're planning to apply, it's a good idea to keep your exam score, academic documents, and personal statement ready for the selection rounds.

Hii,

No, not all MBA programs require these tests. These are merely entrance exams that are accepted by a lot of universities. Depending on the college you wish to attend, you can take any of them (such as MAH CET, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, or ATMA).

Additionally, some universities have entrance exams of their own. Therefore, for the majority of MBA admissions, you only need to take one appropriate exam. To find out which tests the college accepts, always visit their website.

Yes, it is definitely possible for you to get an interview call from Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai for their PGDM program, even with a 73 percentile in XAT 2025. While the typical cutoff for XAT may be higher, around 85 percentile, Great Lakes considers a variety of factors in their selection process, including academic performance, work experience, and diversity in the class.


Since you are a non-engineer female candidate, that diversity is seen as a positive aspect. Even with your XAT score, if you have a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and a clear passion for management, you can still stand out in the application process.

To increase your chances:

Prepare thoroughly for the interview by focusing on your experiences, what drives you, and how you align with the program’s values.

Highlight your unique background and any leadership roles you’ve had.

Show how Great Lakes fits with your career goals.

While the competition can be tough, if you present a well-rounded application and give your best in the interview, you can definitely convert the call into an offer.

With a 74 percentile in the XAT 2025 exam, you are eligible to apply to several reputable MBA colleges in India. Some of the top institutions that typically accept candidates within the 70-80 percentile range include KIIT School of Management (KSOM), Bhubaneswar; Jaipuria Institute of Management (multiple campuses); Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool), Bangalore; Woxsen University, Hyderabad; IFMR Graduate School of Business at KREA University, Sri City; BIM Trichy (Bharathidasan Institute of Management), Tiruchirappalli; and XIME Bangalore (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship).

To proceed, research each institution's application deadlines and procedures and ensure you submit all required documents promptly. Be prepared for further selection stages such as group discussions, personal interviews, and written ability tests. Evaluate each program's curriculum, faculty, placement records, and campus culture to determine the best fit for your career goals. While your XAT percentile is significant, remember that your overall profile, including academic records, work experience, and extracurricular activities, also plays a crucial role in the selection process.

Admission to MICA's PGDM and PGDM-C programs involves a multi-stage selection process. The final composite score is calculated with the following weightage:

  • CAT/ XAT/ GMAT - 35%
  • MICAT - 25%
  • GE (Group Exercise) - 10%
  • PI - 20%
  • Academic performance (10th, 12th, Graduation) - 5%
  • Extra- curricular - 5%

Your XAT score is 73, performing exceptionally well in MICAT can enhance your chances of being shortlisted for the GE and PI rounds. Specific score requirements for MICAT are not publicly disclosed, focusing on thorough preparation and aiming for high performance in each section will strengthen your application.