How to Get Into An MBA With Low GPA in India?

How to Get Into An MBA With Low GPA in India?

Updated on 28 May 2025, 12:16 PM IST

How to get into an MBA with a low GPA? It is probably the most encountered question among MBA aspirants. With the soaring CAT cutoff rising every year, the already existing competition for top B Schools is already much more intensified. On top of that candidates with low overall GPAs can find it difficult to decide about how to proceed with their MBA journey. However, there are still ways for MBA aspirants to get into MBA admission at B schools. This article contains methods following which candidates with low GPA can make sure they get into top management colleges across the country.

This Story also Contains

  1. How to get into an MBA with a low GPA
  2. Best MBA Colleges with low GPA in India
  3. Tips to get into an MBA with a low GPA
How to Get Into An MBA With Low GPA in India?
How to Get Into An MBA With Low GPA in India?

How to get into an MBA with a low GPA

GPA might not be the most important metric for getting into an MBA. But it still is important as justified in the eligibility criteria for the MBA programs. The candidates will still need at least 50% or equivalent GPA for top B Schools like IIMs, XLRI, NMIMS, etc (45% or equivalent GPA for reserved category candidates). For other MBA colleges, a lower GPA might also be sufficient for admission.

Best MBA Colleges with low GPA in India

Candidates can select the MBA college as per their preference. However, certain factors should be considered like programs offered, batch size, MBA admission process, eligibility, MBA entrance exam scores accepted, etc. The list of best MBA colleges with low GPA in India along with the fees is given in the table below.

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Best MBA Colleges with low GPA in India

MBA Fee*

IMT Ghaziabad

Rs. 21 lakhs

Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai

Rs. 14 lakhs

SPJIMR

Rs. 21 lakhs

XLRI

Rs. 14 lakhs to Rs. 28 lakhs

BIMTECH

Rs. 14 lakhs

NMIMS

Rs. 21 lakhs

Alliance University

Rs. 15 lakhs

LBSIM

Rs. 16.67 lakhs

SIBM

Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 24.20 lakhs

IRMA

Rs. 16.10 lakhs

ABS Noida

Rs. 8.26 lakhs

KJSIM

Rs. 22.32 lakhs

TAPMI

Rs. 17.34 lakhs

IMI Delhi

Rs. 21.85 lakhs

Welingkar Mumbai

Rs. 14 lakhs

RIMS Bangalore

Rs. 8.25 lakhs

*The above MBA course fees are tentative. Check out the official website of institutes for the actual fee structure.

Tips to get into an MBA with a low GPA

Candidates can still make it to the top MBA colleges across the country despite having a lower GPA. Candidates can use the tips given below to get into an MBA with a low GPA.

  1. Excel in Entrance Exams: Scoring extraordinarily well in the MBA entrance exams can provide an edge to the candidates. The initial shortlisting of candidates happens based on their scores in the accepted entrance exams.
  2. Highlight Personal Achievements: Focus on other aspects of your application where you can shine. Strong professional experience, leadership roles, and accomplishments can help offset a low GPA.
  3. Craft a compelling statement of purpose: Use a personal statement to explain any extenuating circumstances that might be the reason for the low GPA. Emphasize what you have learned from the experience and how you’ve grown. Make sure to also highlight your career goals and why pursuing an MBA is important for achieving them.
  4. Gain Relevant experience: Work on projects, take on leadership roles and gain experience in areas relevant to your desired MBA focus. This experience can strengthen your application by showing your ability to contribute to and benefit from an MBA program.
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Alternatives to get into an MBA with a low GPA

Candidates can also choose to go for a few alternatives to a conventional MBA. Some of these programs have a low to almost no emphasis on the GPA of candidates. Programs like CA, CFA, and FRM can be great MBA alternatives to go for candidates with a low GPA. There are also specialized master’s programs with specializations just like regular MBA programs. In addition to these professional certifications like CM (Certified Manager), PMP (Project Management Professional), and CFP (Certified Financial Planner) can also be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the minimum GPA for MBA India?
A:

As per sources, minimum GPA for MBA in India is 50%.

Q: How can I overcome my low GPA for an MBA?
A:

To overcome a low GPA or pursue an MBA follow the following steps.

  • Excel in MBA entrance exams.
  • Highlight Personal Achievements.
  • Craft a compelling statement of purpose.
  • Gain relevant experience.
Q: Can we buy a seat in IIM?
A:

No, IIMs do not have any management quota, unlike some private institutions. Admission to IIMs only happens through the Common Aptitude Test (CAT) examination.

Q: Can I get into IIM with bad academics?
A:

Getting into IIM with bad academics is possible. Candidates with low academic scores can make it up by scoring exceptionally well in the CAT exam. A great candidate profile is what an IIM demands. Candidates with low academic performance should focus on building a great individual profile.

Q: Can I do an MBA with poor academics?
A:

Academics might not play a very important role if a candidate focuses enough on other important aspects like entrance exam scores, personal achievements, etc. Even with poor academic performance candidates can still get into MBA at good management colleges.

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Questions related to CAT

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Hello,

Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :

Top colleges accepting CAT:

  • IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)

  • FMS Delhi

  • SPJIMR Mumbai

  • MDI Gurgaon

  • IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)

  • IIT Delhi (DMS)

  • IIFT

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • JBIMS Mumbai

Top colleges accepting XAT:

  • XLRI Jamshedpur

  • XIMB Bhubaneswar

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • Great

Hi there,

A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.

Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of

Hi there,

Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.

According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the

Hi there,

Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and

Hi there,

The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong