BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026
AACSB Accredited | Highest CTC: 22 LPA
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.
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.
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.
Last Date to Apply: 10th Feb | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
Highest Package 27.25 LPA | Top 100 Average package 16.65 LPA | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 52 by QS International
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
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
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Last Date to Apply: 10th Feb | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
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