Management and business
Management has two entry points: a BBA, BMS or integrated programme after Class 12, and an MBA or PGDM after graduation. MBA admission at the IIMs and other leading B-schools runs on CAT, XAT and similar tests, followed by each institute's own interviews.
The usual admission route
- Bachelor's degree
- CAT, XAT, MAT or another accepted test
- Shortlisting
- Written test and interview
- Offer
Courses and how long they take
| Course | Level | Duration | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBA / BBM / BMS | Undergraduate | 3 years (4 with honours at many universities) | Class 12 in any stream |
| Integrated programme in management (IPM) | Integrated | 5 years | Class 12; offered at IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak and a few other IIMs |
| MBA / PGDM | Postgraduate | 2 years | A bachelor's degree |
| One-year or executive MBA | Postgraduate | 1–2 years | A degree plus several years of work experience |
Entrance exams
- CATMBA at the IIMs and other leading B-schools
- XATPGDM at XLRI and other B-schools
- MATMBA and PGDM at many private B-schools
- CUET-UGUG at Delhi University, JNU, BHU and many others
Also used: CMAT (NTA); NMAT (NMIMS and others); SNAP (Symbiosis); IPMAT (IIM integrated programmes); GMAT.
Eligibility
- BBA: Class 12 in any stream; some universities ask for a minimum percentage or a test.
- MBA/PGDM: a bachelor's degree, usually with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Where it can lead
- Sales and marketing
- Finance and banking
- Consulting
- Operations and supply chain
- Human resources
- Running or starting a business
Management colleges in our directory
49 institutions offer management programmes.
IIT Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
- Location
- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Type
- Government, est. 1958
- Main entrance
- JEE Advanced
- Engineering
- Science
- Design
- Management
IIT Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1961
- Main entrance
- JEE Advanced
- Engineering
- Science
- Design
- Management
NIT Trichy
National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
- Location
- Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
- Type
- Government, est. 1964
- Main entrance
- JEE Main
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Management
- Computer applications
DTU
Delhi Technological University
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1941
- Main entrance
- JEE Main
- Engineering
- Management
J.C. Bose University (YMCA)
J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA
- Location
- Faridabad, Haryana
- Type
- Government, est. 1969
- Main entrance
- JEE Main
- Engineering
- Science
- Management
- Computer applications
BITS Pilani
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
- Location
- Pilani, Rajasthan
- Type
- Private, est. 1964
- Main entrance
- BITSAT
- Engineering
- Science
- Pharmacy
- Management
IIM Ahmedabad
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
- Location
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Type
- Government, est. 1961
- Main entrance
- CAT
- Management
FMS Delhi
Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1954
- Main entrance
- CAT
- Management
MDI Gurgaon
Management Development Institute
- Location
- Gurugram, Haryana
- Type
- Private, est. 1973
- Main entrance
- CAT
- Management
Delhi University
University of Delhi
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1922
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Commerce
- Science
- Management
- +1 more
IP University (GGSIPU)
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1998
- Main entrance
- Depends on the programme
- Engineering
- Management
- Law
- Computer applications
- +3 more
Amity Noida
Amity University, Noida
- Location
- Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Type
- Private, est. 2005
- Main entrance
- University's own process
- Engineering
- Management
- Law
- Commerce
- +7 more
Management: common questions
What is the difference between an MBA and a PGDM?
An MBA is a degree awarded by a university. A PGDM is a diploma awarded by an autonomous institute approved by AICTE. Employers judge both by the institute's quality, faculty and placements rather than the label.
Do I need work experience for an MBA?
Not for most two-year programmes; many students join straight after graduation. One-year and executive MBAs need several years of experience.
Can I study management straight after Class 12?
Yes. Choose a BBA or BMS, or a five-year integrated programme (IPM) at some IIMs.
Last reviewed October 2026. Admission rules, dates and eligibility change every year, so confirm them on the official website before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.