MBA in India 2027: Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Fees, Cutoffs & Admission Process
DeekshaUpdated on 12 Oct 2026, 07:00 PM IST
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If you are planning an MBA in India for the 2027 intake, the calendar is already in motion. CAT 2026 is on November 29, XAT 2027 is on January 3, and several other entrance exams run through December and early 2027. This guide covers every major MBA entrance exam with confirmed dates, the top MBA colleges in India, total fees, expected percentile cutoffs, and the admission process from registration to final offer, so you can plan your attempt with accurate information.
MBA Entrance Exams 2027: Dates at a Glance
Table
| Exam | Conducted by | Registration | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | IIM Indore | August 3 to September 2026 (now closed) | November 29, 2026 |
| NMAT 2026 | GMAC | August 20 to October 10, 2026 | Test window November 2 to December 20, 2026 |
| SNAP 2026 | Symbiosis International | August 21 to November 25, 2026 | December 13, 19 and 26, 2026 |
| XAT 2027 | XLRI Jamshedpur | July 15 to December 6, 2026 | January 3, 2027 |
| CMAT 2027 | NTA | Expected October to November 2026 | Expected January to February 2027, notification awaited |
| MAH MBA CET 2027 | CET Cell, Maharashtra | Expected January to February 2027 | Expected April to May 2027 |
| MAT | AIMA | Applications open for the December 2026 session | December 2026 session |
4 columns · 8 rows
CAT 2026 registration opened on August 3 and was initially listed to close on September 15, with later reports showing the window closing on September 22, so it is now closed. Dates for exams that are still awaiting notification, such as CMAT 2027 and MAH MBA CET 2027, are expected timelines only and should be confirmed on each exam's official website.
Which MBA Entrance Exam Should You Take?
- CAT: the primary exam for all IIMs and a large network of other B-schools including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, IIT management schools and IIFT, with a registration fee of around ₹2,700
- XAT: required for XLRI and accepted by a wide network of XAMI member and associate institutes, and it adds a Decision Making section that CAT does not have
- NMAT by GMAC: accepted by several private B-schools and allows multiple attempts within a test window, with a fee of around ₹3,000 plus GST
- SNAP: the gateway to Symbiosis institutes such as SIBM Pune, with up to three attempts and a registration fee of around ₹2,550
- CMAT: a national-level exam conducted by NTA that is accepted by many colleges across India, including AICTE-approved institutes
- MAH MBA CET: the state-level exam for MBA and MMS admission in Maharashtra, with a registration fee of around ₹1,500
- Other state exams such as TANCET, KMAT, AP ICET and TS ICET are held between March and May 2027, mainly for colleges within their own states
Eligibility for MBA Admission in India
- A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university is the basic requirement
- CAT requires at least 50 percent marks or equivalent CGPA in graduation, relaxed to 45 percent for SC, ST and PwD candidates
- Final-year bachelor's students can apply, subject to completing the degree before the programme begins
- Work experience is generally not mandatory for a regular two-year MBA, though many institutes award extra weightage for it during shortlisting
- Exact eligibility rules, including any percentage relaxations, are set by each exam and institute, so always check the official brochure
Top MBA Colleges in India by Category
Table
| Category | Examples | Main entrance exam |
|---|---|---|
| Old IIMs | IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore | CAT |
| Newer IIMs | IIM Mumbai, Shillong, Rohtak, Udaipur, Trichy, Ranchi, Raipur, Kashipur, Sambalpur | CAT |
| Top non-IIM government and IIT schools | FMS Delhi, IIT Bombay (SJMSOM), IIT Delhi and other IIT management schools | CAT |
| Top private B-schools | XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMI Delhi, SIBM Pune | XAT, CAT, SNAP, others |
3 columns · 5 rows
MBA Fees in India 2027: Total Cost for a Two-Year Programme
MBA fees in India range from under ₹3 lakh at FMS Delhi to well above ₹25 lakh at premium private schools. The table below gives approximate total fees for the two-year programme based on recent published figures, and you should confirm the exact amount for your batch directly with the institute, since fees are revised every year and sources differ slightly.
Table
| Institute | Approximate total fee (2 years) |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Roughly ₹25-27.5 lakh |
| IIM Calcutta | Roughly ₹27 lakh |
| IIM Bangalore | Roughly ₹26-27.5 lakh |
| IIM Indore | Roughly ₹25 lakh |
| IIM Mumbai | Roughly ₹25 lakh |
| IIM Kozhikode | Roughly ₹23.5 lakh |
| IIM Lucknow | Roughly ₹20.75 lakh |
| Newer IIMs (Bodh Gaya, Ranchi, Raipur, Sirmaur, Trichy, Nagpur) | Roughly ₹19-21 lakh |
| IIT management schools | Roughly ₹8-15.5 lakh |
| SPJIMR and MDI Gurgaon | Roughly ₹25-26.5 lakh, higher for some MDI specialisations |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | Roughly ₹30 lakh academic fee before hostel and mess |
| FMS Delhi | Roughly ₹2-3 lakh |
2 columns · 13 rows
Several IIMs offer fee waivers or scholarships for reserved category and need-based students, with some institutes waiving full tuition for SC and ST candidates, so check each institute's financial aid policy before ruling out a high-fee college.
MBA Cutoffs 2027: Expected CAT Percentile by College
CAT cutoffs have two layers. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile for shortlisting, and the final calling percentile is what candidates who actually received offers have typically needed. The figures below are expectations for the General category based on recent cycles, since 2027 cutoffs are only known after the admission process.
Table
| Institute | Expected qualifying cutoff (General) | Realistic final calling percentile (General) |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 99+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 97-99+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 97-99 |
| IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore | 85-90 | 95-98 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 | 95-97 |
| Newer IIMs | 75-94 | 85-95 |
| FMS Delhi | Not applicable | 98-99 |
| SPJIMR and MDI Gurgaon | Not applicable | 90-95 |
3 columns · 10 rows
Reserved category cutoffs are lower than these General category figures and differ by institute, so check each institute's category-wise cutoff rather than applying a fixed gap.
MBA Admission Process in India: Step by Step
- Choose your target exams based on the colleges you want, and register within each exam's window
- Appear for the entrance exam and wait for the scorecard or percentile
- Apply separately to each institute, since most B-schools run their own application on top of the exam registration
- Get shortlisted through a composite score that combines exam percentile with academic record, work experience and diversity factors
- Appear for the selection round, which usually includes a Written Ability Test, Group Discussion or Personal Interview
- Receive the final merit list or offer, and pay the seat acceptance fee within the deadline to confirm admission
- Complete document verification and fee instalments before the programme begins
MBA vs PGDM: What Is the Difference?
An MBA is a degree awarded by a university or an institution with degree-granting status, while a PGDM is a postgraduate diploma offered by autonomous institutes approved by AICTE. In practice, many leading business schools offer a PGDM or PGP rather than a degree titled MBA, and both are widely accepted by recruiters when the institute is recognised and has a strong placement record. If you plan to pursue a PhD or an academic path later, check that the qualification you choose is recognised as equivalent to a master's degree for that purpose.
Popular MBA Specialisations in India
- Finance: roles in banking, investment, corporate finance and financial analysis
- Marketing: brand management, digital marketing, sales and consumer insights
- Operations and supply chain: logistics, manufacturing and process management
- Human resource management: talent acquisition, learning and organisational development
- Business analytics and information technology: data-driven decision making and technology consulting
- General management and consulting: broad strategy and problem-solving roles, often offered as a core track at many IIMs
Most top institutes let you pick a specialisation in the second year, so you do not have to decide on day one. Choose based on your genuine interest and the roles you want, since salary figures vary by sector, college and year rather than by specialisation alone.
Education Loans and Scholarships for MBA
With total fees at premium institutes crossing ₹25 lakh, most candidates plan their finances early. Banks and non-banking lenders offer education loans for admission to recognised B-schools, and several IIMs and private institutes run need-based scholarships, fee waivers for reserved categories, and merit awards. Compare the total cost, including hostel and mess charges, against expected placements before committing, and read the institute's own financial aid policy rather than relying on a summary from a third party.
Documents Usually Required for MBA Admission
- Entrance exam scorecard and admit card
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Graduation mark sheets, degree or provisional certificate
- Category or EWS certificate in the prescribed format, where applicable
- Work experience letters or relieving documents, if you claim experience weightage
- Valid photo ID proof and recent passport-size photographs
Common Mistakes in MBA Admission Planning
- Relying on CAT alone and ignoring XAT, NMAT or SNAP, which open different institutes and add backup options
- Confusing the qualifying cutoff with the final calling percentile, and expecting a call at the lower figure
- Forgetting that most institutes need a separate application after the exam registration
- Comparing colleges on average package alone, without checking the total fee and the return on investment
- Using last year's fee or cutoff figure without confirming the current year's number on the official website
- Underestimating Written Ability Test and Personal Interview preparation after a strong percentile
Related Resources
The links below are grouped for reference. Internal links point to CaderaEdu's MBA predictor tools and individual B-school profiles; external links point to the official CAT and XAT portals and regulatory bodies.
- CAT College Predictor
- XAT College Predictor
- MAH CET MBA College Predictor
- XLRI Xavier School of Management
- IIM Indore
- IIM Rohtak
- IIM Shillong
- IIM Tiruchirappalli
- IIM Kashipur
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University
- CAT – Official Website (IIM Indore)
- XAT – Official Website (XLRI Jamshedpur)
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the main MBA entrance exams in India for 2027 admission?
The main exams are CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026, XAT 2027 on January 3, 2027, NMAT 2026 between November 2 and December 20, 2026, SNAP 2026 on December 13, 19 and 26, 2026, CMAT 2027 expected in early 2027, and MAH MBA CET expected in April to May 2027.
Is CAT 2026 registration still open?
No. CAT 2026 registration opened on August 3, 2026 and has closed. It was initially listed to end on September 15, with later reports showing a closing date of September 22. XAT 2027 registration, however, is open until December 6, 2026.
What is the total fee for an MBA at an IIM?
The total two-year fee at IIMs generally ranges from roughly 19 lakh rupees at newer IIMs to about 27.5 lakh rupees at IIM Ahmedabad, with exact figures varying by institute and batch. FMS Delhi is far cheaper at roughly 2 to 3 lakh rupees.
What CAT percentile is needed for IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta?
The expected qualifying cutoffs are around 85 to 95 percentile, but the realistic final calling percentile for these three IIMs is generally 97 to 99 and above for the General category.
Can I get an MBA admission without CAT?
Yes. Exams such as XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT and state exams like MAH MBA CET are accepted by many good B-schools, including XLRI, Symbiosis institutes and several private and state colleges. IIMs, however, admit only through CAT.
Is work experience compulsory for an MBA in India?
No. Work experience is generally not mandatory for a regular two-year MBA, although many institutes give extra weightage for it during shortlisting, and some programmes are designed specifically for experienced professionals.