Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
The pursuit of an MBA can significantly enhance career prospects, but the financial burden of tuition fees can be daunting. Fortunately, many reputable colleges in India accept the Common Admission Test (CAT) scores and offer MBA programs at relatively low fees. This article provides a detailed overview of some of the top colleges that fit this criterion, highlighting their fee structures, expected CAT percentiles for admission, average placement packages, and other relevant details.
CAT 2025 | The last 5 years' trends for average, median, and highest salary packages secured by PGP students of IIM Ahmedabad are as follows.
Batch / Year | Highest package | Median Package | Average Package |
2023 | Rs 1,14,19,300 | Rs 31,58,720 | Rs 34,45,386 |
2022 | Rs 61,48,640 | Rs 31,49,910 | Rs 32,79,923 |
2021 | Rs 55,00,000 | Rs 27,60,000 | Rs 27,54,721 |
2020 | Rs 55,88,000 | Rs 25,00,003 | Rs 26,12,600 |
2019 | Rs 70,00,000 | Rs 24,00,000 | Rs 25,83,126 |
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to various management programs in India, primarily at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The exam assesses candidates on quantitative ability, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. A high CAT score can open doors to prestigious institutions; however, many colleges also accept lower scores, making them accessible to a wider range of students.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
Ranked No. 3 Business School in India and no.35 in world by Financial Times MiM 2025 Ranking | Highest CTC: INR 89 LPA
FMS is one of the premier management institutes in India, known for its rigorous academic curriculum and excellent placement record. The low fee structure combined with high average salary packages makes it highly sought after. Companies like Goldman Sachs, Hindustan Unilever, and IBM actively recruit from FMS.
JBIMS is affiliated with the University of Mumbai and offers a strong alumni network and industry connections. The college's focus on practical learning ensures that students are well-prepared for the corporate world.
IPE focuses on developing managerial skills through practical exposure and has strong ties with public sector enterprises, making it a great choice for students interested in this sector.
Christ University is known for its holistic approach to education and offers various specialisations in its MBA program. The university has a vibrant campus life and strong placement support from top companies like Accenture and Deloitte.
KJ Somaiya is recognised for its robust curriculum and industry-oriented programs that prepare students well for the corporate environment.
GIM emphasises ethical leadership and social responsibility while providing a strong foundation in management principles.
XIME focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation, preparing students to tackle real-world business challenges effectively.
BITS Pilani is well-respected for its engineering programs but also offers quality management education with a focus on technology management.
DBS emphasizes experiential learning and has a diverse student body that enhances the learning experience through various perspectives.
SIMS offers affordable MBA programs focusing on developing leadership skills among students while being affiliated with Anna University.
IMS BHU provides a well-rounded MBA program with a focus on holistic development, making it an attractive option for students looking for affordable education.
CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based national-level test which is conducted every year by IIMs. This is a qualifying exam to get shortlisted for the IIMs and other Top B-Schools. All the top management schools, like IIMs and non-IIMs, have their cut-offs, and students who are selected have to undergo other rounds of tests, which include the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). However, the cut offs for IIM and non IIM B-Schools depends each year and institutions.
Though prominent IIMs only accept the CAT scores, candidates can get into other B-Schools apart from IIMs without clearing CAT. There are several other ways to get into an MBA course without appearing for the CAT examination. They can get into the B-Schools either by direct admission or by clearing other admission tests. Clearing CAT or Commons Admission Test is regarded as one of the much talked about processes to get into the B-Schools for the MBA or PGDM courses. Getting into IIMs after clearing CAT not only enhances the chances to procure a good salary but at the same time when one clears CAT, the acceptance in institutions like IIMs also widens the network opportunity for a candidate. While not clearing CAT does not hamper the candidates chance to have an MBA degree, clearing CAT heightens the careers prospects in the longer term.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
IIM Sirmaur and IIM Bodh Gaya offer the cheapest MBA programme, starting at Rs 16 lakh.
A 70 percentile in the Common Admission Test (CAT) is considered a moderate score, and candidates can apply to Tier-2 and Tier-3. But it is not enough for the top-tier management institutes.
Like any other competitive examination CAT is not a very easy exam to crack. However with dedication and proper guidance and training as well as preparations one can crack it.
The highest package in IIM varies from IIMs to IIMs and depending on the courses . However the couple of years witnessed the highest package going more than 100LPA in some of the IIMS.
Yes, according to the official brochures there has been 100% placement in some of the institutions after an MBA.
Yes, the Indian Institutes of Technologies (IIT) accept CAT scores for admission in MBA programs.
On Question asked by student community
Hi there,
You have to apply separately for each symbiosis college, like SIBM Pune, as they as not automatically included. The CAT form automatically includes many IIMs, but the SNAP exam is a separate test that is given for admission to Symbiosis Institute, which requires its own separate application and fee.
Hope it helps!!!
Toppers usually study 3–6 focused hours a day, but it’s not just about time — it’s about smart preparation and consistency. Focus on quality practice, regular mocks, and targeted revision.
Check this complete guide to learn how toppers plan their day and reach 99 percentile: Read Now
Hello,
To get admitted to the Institute of Management Studies (IMS), BHU, for an MBA in 2026, you must clear the CAT entrance exam. For that you need to fill out the application form of the CAT in August 2026, which you can get on the Official CAT website
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello
You can get all the papers on the Careers360 website. To access the paper and download it for practice, just visit here:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-cat-2024-question-paper-with-solutions
Hope it will help you!!
Hello dear candidate,
Yes, you have a very good chance of getting a BPT seat with 488 out of 600 and TS EAMCET rank of 14,000 under the ST category.
As the cut off of BPT for ST category students are generally between 25,000 to 45,000 ranks, depending upon the college and you have TS EAMCET rank of 14,000.
Thank you.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
IBSAT 2025-Your gateway to MBA/PGPM @ IBS Hyderabad and 8 other IBS campuses | Scholarships worth 10 CR
Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.
MICAT-1 Applications Closing on 22nd Nov’25 | Ranked #33 by NIRF | Highest CTC 40.91 LPA & Average CTC 19.22 LPA
75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools | Apply now
AACSB, NBA & SAQS Accredited | H-CTC 41.55 LPA | Merit Based Scholarship | End Date: 28th Nov'25