Indus Business Academy (IBA), Bangalore PGDM Admissions 2025
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After taking the decision to pursue Executive MBA the working professionals have to walk down the tough and competitive path of the admission process conducted by the B-schools. Unlike the two year regular MBA admission, the multiple stages of the admission process of the top Executive MBA programmes are designed to check how much value they can add to the programme through their merit and quality of experience they possess. Although work experience is the primary eligibility criteria for the candidates, entrance exams act as the bridge between the working executives and the application to the coveted programmes. Entrance exam is the primary step for the Executive MBA application after which the other admission criteria such as SOP, Essay, GD or Interview are considered. If you are planning to apply to one of the top B-schools in India offering Executive MBA programmes or management programmes meant for working executives, the primary task for you is to zero down on the B-schools you want to apply for and take the entrance exam whose scores are accepted by them. In this article from the Executive MBA series, Careers360 brings you the top Executive MBA entrance exams and the other selection processes and criteria followed by the top B-schools offering Executive MBA programmes.
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The following table brings to you the top B-schools offering Executive MBA programmes and the entrance exam and the admission process.
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B-School | Programme | Mode | Entrance Exam | Final Selection Process & Criteria |
PGPX | Full Time | Personal Interview Essay Writing (2) | ||
EPGP | Full Time | GMAT or GRE | Statement of Purpose (SOP) Two Reference letter Written Ability Test and Interview | |
PGPEX | Full Time | GMAT | Statement of Purpose Letters of Recommendation from 2 senior managers Personal Interview | |
IPMX | Full Time | GMAT | Statement of Purpose 2 Letters of Recommendation Personal Interview | |
WMP | Part Time | Written Test conducted by IIM Lucknow | Group Discussion Personal Interview | |
EPGP | Full time | GMAT or CAT | Personal Interview | |
EPGP | Part Time | CAT or GMAT or EMAT (conducted by IIM Kozhikode) | Personal Interview | |
PGPEx | Full Time | CAT or GMAT | NA | |
PGPBM | Full Time | CAT or GMAT or Written Test | Personal Interview | |
PGEXP | Part Time | Written Test | Personal Interview | |
ePGP | Part Time | IIM R-MAT or CAT or GMAT or GRE | Personal Interview | |
PGPWE | Part Time | CAT or GMAT or BAT | Personal Interview, Academic Qualification and Relevant Working Experience | |
PGPX | Part Time | TOEFL or IELTS or PTE and GMAT | Personal Interview | |
PGP | Full Time | GMAT and TOEFL or IELTS or PTE | Video application Personal Interview Essay Writing Case Discussion | |
PGPM | Full Time | CAT or XAT or GMAT | Essay Writing Group Discussion Personal Interview | |
NMP PGPEM | Full Time | CAT or MDI entrance test | Personal Interview | |
PGDM (Executive) | Full Time | CAT or XAT or GMAT | Personal Academic Discussion | |
MBA Executive MBA Executive (Health Care Administration) | Part Time | NA | Writing Ability Test Personal Interview | |
Executive MBA | Full Time | Written Test | Personal Interview | |
PGEMP | Part Time | NA | Group Discussion Personal Interview IQ and Psychometric Test | |
PGDM – GM PGDM – BM | Full Time Part Time | GMAT or XAT | Group Discussion Personal Interview |
Note: The B-schools are arranged in random order
Executive MBA Entrance Exams
Taking admission to most of the executive MBA programmes in India is based on MBA entrance exam scores. Check the below table which consists the name of top executive MBA entrance exams.
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As you can observe in the table above, GMAT is the most commonly accepted exams for the B-schools, especially IIMs. That does not mean the Executive MBA entrance exams do not include any other test. The validity of CAT scores range from 3 to 5 years for B-schools like IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, IIM Rohtak etc.
Some of the B-schools conduct their own entrance exam such as IIM Lucknow (for WMP), IIM Kozhikode, IIM Ranchi, IIM Rohtak, IIM Raipur, IIM Trichy and MDI Gurgaon. Apart from IIM Ranchi, these institutes also accept the scores of other entrance exams like GMAT or CAT. For instance, IIM Trichy mentions in its admission process that candidates who have valid scores of either CAT or GMAT will be exempted from taking the entrance exam conducted by the institute.
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Language Test
The entrance exams or the admission criteria also reflect the programme design or curriculum. As many as 3 programmes mentioned in the above table accept scores of language aptitude tests like GRE or IELTS or PTE. IIM Bangalore’s EPGP, IIM Udaipur’s PGPX and ISB’s flagship programme PGP curriculum includes international immersion.
In IIM Bangalore’s EPGP third term, students are given opportunity to visit emerging economies like China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa or a developed one in the Asian region like Singapore or South Korea. “The module provides insights into the country’s economic, social, political and cultural life,” mentions IIM Bangalore. The international immersion programme carries 3 credits.
IIM Udaipur’s PGPX is a Dual Degree programme in Supply Chain Management in association with Purdue University, USA. According to the institute, the students spend the Fall module of the programme in Purdue University.
Indian School of Business or ISB’s flagship programme, PGP offers inbound and outbound exchange programmes. The institute has partnered with 42 B-schools across countries like the USA, France, South Africa, Israel, Germany, China, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore and the U.K, Canada, Italy, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Chile, Netherlands, Germany and Taiwan.
Although there are other Executive MBA programmes which offer international exposure such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Shillong and IMT Ghaziabad, the admission criteria do not include language tests like GRE or IELTS or PLT.
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Factors taken into consideration apart from entrance test scores
Taking admission to the Executive MBA programmes is not a cakewalk. The candidates not only have to come up with the requisite cutoff scores or percentiles of the above stated entrance exams but also need to focus on their profile to stand out from the crowd and convince the admission panel why they deserve a seat in the coveted programme. IIM Bangalore EPGP admission panel states, “The selection process is highly personalized, as the committee seeks to learn about each applicant’s goals and potential for success in management.”
Work Experience and candidate profile – The primary eligibility criteria for the Executive MBA aspirants is the work experience. The admission committee not only checks the number of years of work experience but the quality of the experience as well, in terms of the contributions made towards the company and its people at large. Nishant Goyal, PGPM 2017 student of Great Lakes Institute of Management says, “Work experience and your nature of work, accolades or recognitions, external certifications and references are considered at the time of admission.”
Statement of Purpose - To start with, let us talk about Statement of Purpose, commonly known as SOP. Along with the application, the candidates have to submit the SOP to state their goals and objective behind pursuing the programme. Prakula Uniyal, ISB PGP student of 2017 batch shares her experience on preparing for the application process at the B-School, “ISB application was an important milestone for me not just professionally, but also personally, as it helped me introspect and understand myself and my life goals better.”
Letters of Reference/Recommendation - B-schools like IIM Bangalore, Calcutta and Lucknow asks for at least 2 Letters of Recommendation from the previous employers. This enables the admission committee to know about the applicants’ contribution to the company and how much value they can add to the programme. Saranya, a student of IIM Calcutta PGPEX programme shares, “Candidates have to submit a statement of purpose and recommendations from two referees holding senior managerial positions. These are also taken into consideration in the final selection.”
Writing Ability Test or Essay Writing – This is another important criterion for the selection of the Executive MBA students. Along with the SOP, the applicants have to submit essays on the given topics. IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Great Lakes Institute of Management, ISB and FMS Delhi are some of the institutes where Essay or Writing Ability Test (WAT) form an integral part of the application and admission process. While talking about the important of essays, Sanchay Maity, ISB student pursuing PGP 2016-17 says, “The essays carry a lot of weight for that matter because that is where the school gets to know a lot more about the candidates, their experiences so far, their ambition and the value they bring to the table.”
Personal Interview – The final round of the selection procedure followed at the B-schools is the Personal Interview round. This is one of the most crucial rounds and the admission panel looks for the distinct personality traits of the candidates and decide whether he/she would add value to the programme or not. Nishant Goyal mentions, “The interview is a rigorous process. They probe you to understand whether you will fit into this one year program. Also, Great Lakes Institute of Management looks at the personality traits and attitude of the candidates apart from their credentials.”
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It is unlikely that you will be admitted to one of the top IPU MBA colleges, like University School of Management Studies (USMS), which normally close at much lower ranks (below 200 for outside Delhi), if you scored 333 on the Common Rank List (CRL) in the General Category as an outside Delhi candidate for the IPU CET MBA 2025. You could, however, have opportunities at some associated or lower-ranked universities where the final rankings are greater, but not at the most prestigious institutions. Since admission requirements change every year, take advantage of counseling to learn about all of your alternatives.
Hey !
Here are some MBA/PGDM colleges in Telangana :
Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Hyderabad
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Osmania University, Hyderabad
ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad
Management Development Institute (MDI), Hyderabad
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Hyderabad
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad
Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management, Hyderabad
Maturi Venkata Subba Rao (MVSR) Engineering College, Hyderabad
Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (CBIT), Hyderabad
These colleges offer a variety of MBA/PGDM programs.
Hope it helps !
With a 60 percentile in CAT, your son may have limited options for top-tier MBA programs, but there are still several good colleges offering residential MBA programs. Some institutes that may accept this percentile range include UPES Dehradun, IBS Hyderabad, Woxsen University, ITM Business School, and Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management. These colleges may offer opportunities with a focus on industry-oriented learning. It’s also worth exploring state universities and institutions that accept other entrance exams like MAT or XAT.
Yes, it is absolutely possible to pursue criminology after completing your B.Com LLB. Since you already have a law background, transitioning into criminology can be a strong and valuable path.
To move forward:
Decide your area of interest within criminology – options include criminal psychology, forensic science, cybercrime, juvenile justice, victimology, and more.
Pursue a postgraduate degree in criminology or criminal justice. You can go for an MA/MSc in Criminology or a related PG diploma. Some LLM programs also offer a specialization in criminal law with a focus on criminology.
Top institutes in India offering criminology programs include:
National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS), Delhi
University of Madras
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
Gain relevant experience through internships with legal aid, police departments, forensic labs, cyber cells, or NGOs.
Build your career in areas such as criminal analysis, forensic investigation, research, policy development, or working with agencies like CBI, NIA, or IB.
As for whether it’s a good career – yes, it is a meaningful and evolving field with opportunities to make a real difference. However, it can be emotionally challenging and competitive in certain areas, so dedication and continuous learning are key.
After graduating with a BSc Hons Nursing from AIIMS Delhi, you can pursue an MBA at prestigious IIMs as long as you receive at least 50%. To get into the best IIMs, you usually need to have a percentile over 95 on the CAT test. Your academic history, performance on the Written Ability Test and in the Personal Interview, and general profile are all taken into account throughout the selection process.
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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