Top MBA Colleges in India- NIRF Ranking 2021 Management Colleges List

Updated December 10, 2021

Top MBA Colleges outstand others on many counts. Recently, the top MBA colleges in India listed under NIRF Ranking 2021 includes IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur and IIM Indore among others. Apart from the IIMS and IITs universities in the top list, other popular B-school universities such as XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, IMI, SPJIMR, IMT, VIT, Fore School of Management etc. do also figure. These top colleges offer quality education in the field of management. Business is the backbone of country’s economy, and the management professionals play vital role in the progress of the business. Hence, quality education to aspiring management professionals is paramount for managing and operating the businesses.

Many students in India opt to pursue an MBA for further education after completing their engineering degree and other degrees because it offers a rewarding career with hefty annual packages. The MBA program also offers knowledge and instruction in management and operations in business that are vital to running an organization. Apart from this, the MBA program also helps to develop leadership skills and communication within the individual.

The two-year MBA program opens the door to numerous job as well as entrepreneurial possibilities. Students from any background, including Science, Commerce and Humanities, can pursue MBA. The full-time MBA is the most popular and includes theory classes, practical projects, and internships. Fresh graduates and candidates with a few years of work experience opt for a full-time MBA.

Top 10 MBA Colleges in India- NIRF Ranking 2021

There are over 5,000 MBA colleges in India that offer courses in various specializations. Some B-Schools offer an MBA degree, while some offer a PG diploma (PGDM/PGPM). I have put down some information related to flagship program – PGP, its eligibility criteria, admission process, fee structure, and ROI. This might assist you to simplify your college options.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Score: 83.69

Position: 01^st

IIM Ahmedabad is India’s best business school, and has been given 1^st rank in the list of Top MBA colleges in India by NIRF Ranking 2021. The Indian applicants seeking admission at the IIM Ahmedabad for MBA program can get through Common Admission Test (CAT). However, overseas Indian candidates and foreign candidates can get through GMAT scores.

IIM Ahmedabad Flagship program

The two-year Post-graduate Program in Management (PGP) is the flagship program at IIM Ahmedabad. Besides PGP, IIM Ahmedabad also offers the following programs in management studies: (a) One-year full-time post-graduate program in management for executives (MBA-PGPX) (b) A two-year postgraduate program in food and agri-business management (MBA-FABM)

The Essential Qualifications for MBA Program in IIM Ahmedabad

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be eligible to apply for PGP at IIM Ahmedabad:

You must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 50% marks. (45% for SC, ST and PwD category applicants)

You must have a valid CAT score (Cut-off: 80 percentile)

IIM Ahmedabad allows overseas Indian candidates to apply through a valid GMAT score (cut-off- 720)

Admission Process for MBA Program in IIM-A

(a) The first stage of shortlisting will be released on the basis of CAT Score, Academic Profile, Work Experience.

(b) After the above phase, applicants are called for AWT and PI

(c) The final shortlisting will be released on the basis of CAT scores, past academic performances, and Performance in the personal interviews and AWT.

The admission criteria for IIM Ahmedabad’s PGP go beyond just having valid CAT scores and a bachelor’s degree. The competition for admission into IIMA PGP is quite high. It has set not only cut-off scores for the CAT but also the individual sections of the CAT. Apart from your CAT score, your past academic performance will also be taken into consideration.

IIM Ahmedabad PGP Fee Structure

IIM Ahmedabad has set the Tuition fee for its PGP class of 2021 at INR 23,00,000. The cost of attendance for overseas Indian students admitted in the PGP class of 2021 is $25,000.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Score: 83.48

Position: 2^nd – NIRF Ranking

IIM Bangalore stands at 2^nd position on the list of top MBA colleges in India. The main and important program offers by IIM is PGP. Your admission in IIM-B depends upon your score that you will get in the CAT/GMAT examination. Let’s have a look at the other important details like its PGP program, its admission, criteria, eligibility, and fee structure.

IIM Bangalore Flagship Program

Master of Business Administration (MBA), a two-year full-time program is the main and important (flagship) program at IIM Bangalore. Besides PGP (Post Graduate Programme in Management), IIM-B also offers the following programs in management studies:

(a) Master of Business Administration (EPGP), One-year full-time program

(b) Master of Business Administration (MBA), Two-year weekend program

(d) Master of Management Studies (Public policy) (MMS (PP)), One-year full-time program

The Essential Qualifications for MBA Program in IIM-B

The essential qualifications requirement to be eligible to apply for IIM Bangalore (Post Graduate Programme in Management) are-

You must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 50% marks.
You must have a valid CAT score
International applicants can apply through a valid GMAT score

Standardized Test for IIM B PGP Admission

Students belong to India can apply for admission into IIM-B PGP through CAT (Common Admission Test) (Cut-off – 85 percentile). International applicants can apply through the GMAT.

IIM B PGP Admission process

IIM Bangalore evaluates your application on the following criteria:

(a) The first stage for shortlisting will be based on your CAT scores

(b) After being Shortlisted, you will be called for WAT and PI

(c) The Final Shortlisting will be based on your CAT Score, past academic performance and your performance in writing assessment test (WAT) and personal interview

IIM B PGP Fee structure

IIM Bangalore has set the total tuition fee for their PGP class of 2021 at INR 23,00,000. Moreover, you will be asked to make a caution deposit of INR 20,000, and an advance of INR 25,000 at the mess (each term)

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

Score: 80.04

Position: 3^rd

IIM Calcutta is considered one of the best business schools in India and ranked third in list of top MBA colleges in India by NIRF Ranking 2021. IIM Calcutta is a well-known choice for students who seek a career in finance or consulting. Let’s have a look at significant details about IIM-C’s flagship course, its admission criteria, eligibility, fee structure, etc.

IIM Calcutta Flagship Program

The flagship program at IIM Calcutta is known as the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Besides MBA, IIM-C offers the following programs in management studies:

MBAEx (formerly known as PGPEx)
PGPEx-VLM
PGDBA

Standardized Test for the Admission in MBA Program

(a) Applicant must have valid CAT score (at least – 85 percentile). Domestic candidates can apply for IIM-C MBA only through CAT entrance score.

(b) GMAT (only for international applicants) (at least – 85 percentile)

Academic Qualifications Requirement for IIM Calcutta MBA

The essential academic qualifications requirement to be eligible to apply for IIM Calcutta MBA program:

(a) Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks for non-reserved category, and 45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories.

Admission Process for IIM Calcutta MBA program-

(a) Candidates would be shortlisted on the basis of their valid score card of CAT. Candidates belong to non-reserved category should have at least 85 percentile, 75 percentile or above for NC-OBC, 75 or above for EWS, atleast 70 percentile for SC, atleast 65 for ST and 55 for PwD.

(b) After being shortlisted, you will be eligible for Personal Interview and WAT

(i) Your CAT 2021 score / GMAT score (Weightage – 30)

(ii) Performance in the personal interview (Weightage – 48)

(iii) Performance in written ability test (WAT) (Weightage – 10)

(iv) Your work experience (Weightage – 8)

(v) Your past academic performance (Weightage – 4)

This aggregate score will be used for preparation of category-wise merit list.

IIM Calcutta Fee structure

IIM Calcutta has kept the tuition fee for the class of 2020-2022 is 26.98 lakhs, excluding the other costs.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode

Location: Kozhikode, Kerala

Score: 73.34

Position: 4^th

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode is an autonomous public business school located in Kerala that conduct research, teaching, and training, consulting and intellectual infrastructure development in the field of management. It is one of the best business school and ranked 4^th in the list of Top MBA colleges in India. Let us dig out some important information related to admission for MBA program in IIM Kozhikode.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria- Academic qualifications for IIM Kozhikode

(a) All candidates with a graduation degree must secure a minimum of 60 per cent aggregate marks in their graduation to qualify.

(b) All candidates without a graduation degree must obtain a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate marks in CA/ICWA/CS to qualify.

Admission Process for IIM Kozhikode MBA program-

(i) The candidates require minimum CAT score to be shortlisted are-

(a) Candidates belong to non-reserved category must have obtained 85 percentile,

(b) NC-OBC/EWS candidate requires 75 percentile

This cut-off marks could be vary according to the norms of the college (IIM Kozhikode)

(ii) After being shortlisted in 1^st Stage, they will be called for PI (Personal Interview).

(iii) Final Score will be computed on the basis of CAT index Score, PI score and Resume Score. Then, Category-wise merit list will be prepared based on the final scores.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi

Location: New Delhi, Delhi

Score: 72.15

Position: 5^th

The Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, also known as DMS IIT Delhi, is the top business school. DMS IIT Delhi was placed in the “A+++” Category among All-India B-School Survey in 2017. In the recently NIRF ranking, it ranks 5th position in the list of top MBA colleges in India. Let us delve into some important information related to admission to the PGM program at DMS, IIT Delhi.

The Essential Qualification for PGM Program in IIT Delhi

The candidates having the following qualifications are eligible to apply for admission to the MBA (Masters in Business Administration) programme in IIT Delhi.

(a) The bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidates must have been rewarded a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate or 6.00 CGPA on a 10 point scale or equivalent in the qualifying degree.

(b) The candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD are given 5% relaxation in marks (i.e. min. 55%) or equivalent in CGPA (i.e. min. 5.50 on a 10-point scale)

Admission Procedure of IIT Delhi

(a) Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their score in the CAT exam (GMAT for international applicants).

(b) The shortlisted candidates are then invited to appear for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview.

Those having applied to IIT Delhi MBA programmes on qualifying the CAT 2017 will be shortlisted and then invited for a WAT and interview, which will be held at IIT Delhi and IIT Madras

Fee Structure of IIT Delhi, MBA

Tuition fees for Indian student- Rs. 9.60 Lacs for the entire MBA Full Time Program payable in equal installments.

The following programmes are offered by DMS, IIT Delhi.

(a) Master of Business Administration (MBA), two-year flagship program in management

(b) Master of Business Administration in Telecommunications Systems Management (MBA), two -year program with focus in Telecommunication Systems Management

(d) Doctoral Programme (Ph.D programme in management)

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore

Location: Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Score: 71.10

Position: 6^th by NIRF ranking 2021

IIM Indore offers a two-year residential program that is full-time. It is a Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) which is also known as MBA. The total tuition for the course is 17.06 lakh. Admission to the course is contingent on the validity of CAT scores.

The minimum eligibility criteria required for admission to IIM Indore MBA programme is mentioned below:

Academic Qualifications for PGM program in IIM Indore

(a) A bachelor’s degree in 10+2+3 pattern with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for all candidates except SC/ST/PwD candidates.

(b) The candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD category are given 5% relaxation marks (i.e. a minimum 45% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates).

IIM Indore PGP Admission procedure

(a) To get admission, candidates have to clear the first stage of shortlisting i.e. applicants are required to qualify in CAT with minimum required sectional and overall percentile. Overseas candidates may however, apply with GMAT scores.

(b) After being shortlisted in the First Stage, applicants are called for WAT and PI. Then, candidates appearing for WAT and PI will be shortlisted for further steps using the merit list generated based on Composite Score (CS).

(c) The candidates qualify the 2^nd stage are considered to be eligible for 3^rd stage or final selection. Category wise merit list will be generated based on Final Composite Score (FCS) using several components, including 10^th Standard/SSS Score, 12^th Standard/ HSC score, CAT overall score, WAT and PI score.

Fee structure for PGP Program

The course fee for Indian residents (for two years) is Rs. 16,10,000/- and Rs.24,15,000/- for NRI Candidates. The course fee includes access to lectures, computer facilities, library etc. along with alumni fee and lodging. But, it does not include cost of textbooks, hostel fees, insurance, etc.

IIM Indore admissions are primarily entrance-based. The institute is renowned for its two-year full-time residence flagship PGP (also known as MBA) program admission, which is granted on the validity of CAT scores. Admission in IIM Indore is gradually going tough for the applicants as admission’s CAT score reached the highest possible level. IIMI admissions for PGP begin with the beginning of registration for CAT. In addition to PGP, IIM Indore also offers other PG and doctoral degree programs in the area of Management.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow

Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Score: 71.02

Position: 7^th

Indian Institute of Management Lucknow is one of the top business schools in India. This management institute offers a rewarding and exciting career options. In the recent QS ranking, the institute is placed in between the list of 150-200. Moreover, the institute is ranked at 7th position in the top MBA colleges in India, released by NIRF Ranking 2021. Let’s get more information related to admission to MBA program in IIM Indore.

Flagship program

The flagship program at IIM Lucknow is called Post-graduate program in management (PGP). Besides PGP, IIM offers a bunch of other management studies programs for graduates and executives.

Academic Qualifications for PGM program in IIM Indore

(a) A bachelor’s degree in 10+2+3 pattern with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for all candidates except SC/ST/PwD candidates.

(b) The candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD category are given 5% relaxation marks (i.e. a minimum 45% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates in bachelor’s degree).

Admission Procedure for IIM-Lucknow

(a) Applicants have to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria to get shortlist in the first stage. It is based on your CAT Score

(b) After being shortlisted, applicants are called for WAT and PI. It is the 2^nd stage of your admission process.

(I) Your past academic performance

(II) CAT scores

(III) Performance in Written Ability Tests (WAT)

(IV) Performance in Group Discussion

(V) And, performance in the personal interview

PGP fee structure

The total cost of attendance for IIM Lucknow’s PGP class is approx. INR 19 lakhs.

Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur

Location: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Score: 69.93

Position: 8^th

XLRI is the oldest and one of the best management studies institutes in India and ranks #8th for the top MBA colleges in India. Let’s have a look at its flagship program, with details about its admission criteria, fee structure, etc.

XLRI Jamshedpur Flagship program

The flagship management studies program at XLRI, Jamshedpur, is a two-year full-time program called PGDM (Business Management). It offers another part-time program in management studies known as PGDM (BM) part-time.

Standardized test for XLRI PGDM (BM) admission

XLRI requires you to take the XAT 2021 (Xavier Aptitude Test) for admission into its PGDM (BM)

XLRI PGDM (BM) eligibility criteria

If applicants are planning to apply for XLRI’s PGDM (BM), they need to make sure that they fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

(a) Recognized Bachelor’s degree in 10+2+3 pattern in any discipline

(b) You must have a valid XAT score.

XLRI PGDM (BM) Admission criteria

Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) shortlists candidate to allot seats for its PGDM in business management through a three-step process:

(a) Registration for XAT 2021

(b) Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of XAT entrance scores.

(d) Applicants final phase for selection are prepared through the following parameters:

(I) You XAT score

(II) Your performance in the personal interview

XLRI PGDM (BM) Fee structure

XLRI Jamshedpur has set the cost of attendance for its PGDM in business management at INR 12.90 Lakhs per annum. Besides the tuition fees, you will have to pay extra for the mess and hostel charges.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur

Location: Kharagpur, West Bengal

Score: 69.50

Position: 09

Vinod Gupta School for Management (VGSoM), IIT Kharagpur, was founded in 1993. It is a part of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. This institute was founded as the first institute for management in the IIT system in 1993 when India opened its doors for economic liberalization. In the recent NIRF Ranking 2021, it is ranked at 09th position in the top MBA (PGM) program. IIT Kharagpur for PGM is the top business school in India.

The Essential Qualification for PGM in IIT Kharagpur

Candidates seeking admission to the MBA program in the institute should have the following qualification:

(a) Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with 60% aggregate marks of minimum 4-year duration in engineering, technology, pharmacy, medicine, or similar disciplines or Master’s degree in Science/Economics/Commerce (with Mathematics or Statistics at Bachelor’s level);

(b) Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD are given 5% marks relaxation (i.e. they require minimum of 55% marks)

Admission Procedure for MBA program in IIT Kharagpur

(a) Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of their score in the CAT exam (or GMAT for international applicants).

(b) The shortlisted candidates are then invited to appear for the Personal Interview.

(c) Final admission to MBA program is offered on the basis of a cumulative score of the application rating (AR)(10^th Board Score and 12^th Board Score), performance score in CAT 2021, and the candidate’s performance in online PI process.

Fee Structure for MBA in IIT Kharagpur

The candidates belonging to GEN/EWS/OBC and seeking for MBA admission in IIT Kharagpur would have to pay approx. 10 lakhs in their whole semester. Tuition fee for SC/ST/PwD candidates is waived

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Score: 68.08

Position: 10

SJMSOM, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay is the top business school in India that offers PG and doctoral-level programmes in the Field of Management. Shailesh J Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM) is a part of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and was established in 1995. In the recent NIRF Ranking 2021, it is ranked at 10th position in the top MBA colleges in India. Let’s get some important information related to PGM program in SJMSOM, IIT Bombay.

Academic Qualification for MBA in IIT Bombay

Applicant seeking admission to the MBA in the institute must satisfy one of the following criteria:

(a) A four year Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in any discipline with first-class or 60% marks (55% in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category) in aggregate (including all years/semesters)

(b) CA, CS, CFA, ICWA, or FRM, with a first-class Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline having secured 60% marks (55% in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST category) in aggregate (including all years/semesters)

(C) Those appearing for the final degree examination can also apply. The admission in such cases will be subject to their fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria at the time of joining the course.

Admission Process for MBA program

(a) The candidates are shortlisted on the basis of CAT entrance score. After their registration with the submission of essential requirements for the MBA program is completed.

(b) After being shortlisted, they are called for the Personal Interview (PI).

Fee Structure for MBA Program

The candidates seeking admission to IIT Bombay will have to pay approx. 10.92 lakhs tuition fees for the MBA courses in the whole semester.