There are many Executive MBA programs offered in India by various top business schools. The best Executive MBA program for you would depend on your individual needs and preferences, such as your career goals, budget, location, and schedule.
Here are some of the top Executive MBA programs in India:
Indian School of Business (ISB) - Hyderabad and Mohali
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and other locations
XLRI
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune
International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi and Kolkata
Apart from these there are many Executive MBA programs without the GMAT as well which one can apply to in 2023.
These Executive MBA programs offer a range of specializations and formats, including online and hybrid programs, and are highly regarded in the industry. It's recommended to do thorough research on each program and consider factors like curriculum, faculty, placement opportunities, and alumni network before making a decision.
1. Indian School of Business - ISB Executive MBA
ISB Executive MBA in India
The ISB Executive MBA in India is meant for Working Professionals. There are two programs to choose from - ISB PGPpro and ISB PGPMAX.
ISB PGPpro is an exclusive Weekend Executive MBA equivalent Program for Working Professionals having at least 5 years of work experience.
ISB PGPpro is the ISB Executive MBA in India combines methodical learning with the right format of alternating weekend classes. Intended for mid-career professionals, the program makes available the most important in Strategy and Leadership with a choice to either Finance or Marketing.
Duration of ISB PGPpro – 18 months (Alternating Weekend Classes and Online Classes)
ISB PGPpro is offered in Delhi (NCR)/ Bengaluru/Hyderabad/Mumbai
ISB PGPMAX Executive MBA :
The ISB PGPMAX Executive MBA in India from ISB is predestined for experienced working professionals. This powerful program aims at career development, better strategic vision, in addition to sharpening your management abilities and leadership skills.
A lot of qualified professionals are facing a mid-career crisis and have attained a point in their profession where they feel they’ve arrived at saturation in the existing role. At this moment, they recognize that they require a little superior business knowledge to deal with bigger responsibilities, get a hold of innovative perspectives to find solutions to accessible problems and manage more multifaceted situations in a methodical and well thought-out manner. A part-time program the ISB PGPMAX Executive goes well with their needs, at the same time as they can keep on working whilst following their MBA program.
ISB PGPMAX is a 15 months MBA program for senior professionals with atleast 10 years of work experience. ISB PGPMAX is ranked worldwide as 44th in the FT ranking 2022 for EMBA programs.
2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and other locations
IIMs offer Executive MBA programs which are both part time and full time. The full time IIM Executive MBA programs are one year in duration. The application process requires a minimum of 3-5 years of work experience and the submission of a test score like the GMAT or the GRE.
The part time Executive MBA programs by the IIM are also available.
3. XLRI - Xavier School of Management Executive MBA
The Online Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management is a two-year program that provides and the total fee for the program is Rs. 14 lakhs. Applicants with a bachelor's degree can apply.
4. SPJIMR Executive MBA - Post Graduate Executive Management Programme (PGEMP)
The 21-month modular Executive MBA program is designed for professionals with at least five years of work experience who wish to pursue formal management education without interrupting their careers. With five cohorts admitted each year, the program has successfully enrolled more than 90 batches. The selection process, which includes a Test of Reasoning, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview, takes about half a day. Additionally, the program also accepts Executive Assessment (EA) test scores. Applicants with valid EA scores can bypass the Test of Reasoning component in the selection process.
5. MDI Executive MBA - Post Graduate Diploma in Management
The program has since been renamed the 18-month Post Graduate Diploma in Management - Business Management. Applicants must have completed a minimum of three years of Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
Applicants must also have a minimum of five years of executive work experience post-qualification as of March 31, 2023. The deadline for submission of application is April 10, 2023.
6. Great Lakes Executive MBA - PGXPM
The PGXPM program has a duration of 20 months and is structured into seven terms, each lasting three months. Each term commences with a 7.5-day residency during which the participants cover four courses, each spanning 15 hours.
The program comprises about 545 in-class contact hours, with 20% delivered through blended learning and the remaining 80% in traditional classroom settings. Participants are also required to dedicate equivalent hours to self-study.
In the second year of the course, participants must undertake a project. To be eligible for admission, candidates must have a minimum of eight years of full-time work experience and must have taken one of the following: CAT*, XAT+, EA by GMAC, equivalent aptitude tests, or Great Lakes Aptitude Test.
7. NMIMS Executive MBA
The program offers a high degree of flexibility, giving students the option to complete it within a time frame of 15 to 36 months, depending on their preferences.
Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in an executive or supervisory capacity as of the date of their written test or personal interview to be eligible for admission.
8. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management - SIBM Executive MBA
The Executive MBA program at SIBM Pune is conducted on weekends. Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience. The program admits 60 students, and the approximate fee is INR 6.70 lakhs.
9. International Management Institute (IMI) - PGDM Executive MBA
The program is designed for candidates with more than 5 years of experience and offers two options - a 15-month program comprising 12 months of coursework followed by a 3-month project at the candidate's place of employment, or a full-time residential program of 12 months of coursework followed by a 6-month project at the workplace. The program guarantees 100% placement support to all its graduates. Candidates need to submit their CAT/ GMAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ ATMA test scores to be eligible for admission.
10. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi and Kolkata - Weekend MBA
The MBA (International Business) programme at IIFT is now available as a weekend course, providing working professionals with the opportunity to enroll in the Institute's well-established MBA (IB) programme. The course content is the same as the day programme, offering a comprehensive education to those who are unable to attend full-time.
The weekend programme spans over nine trimesters, covering a total of three years. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institution and have at least three years of work experience in a managerial role after graduation, as of June 30th of the year the course begins.
Admission to the programme is through a Group Discussion, Essay Writing and Interview, which takes place at IIFT Campus, New Delhi. Upon completion of the programme, students can benefit from 100% placement support.
Full time MBA versus Executive MBA: Which is Better?
The main difference between an MBA and an Executive MBA is the level of engagement in the graduate school understanding and the customization of classes towards a more knowledgeable group of individuals.
Full-time MBA students have rigorous schedules (full-day), making it hard to keep up a job outside the program.
On the other hand, Executive MBA students maintain their permanent jobs and by and large attend classes on Fridays and the weekends; nevertheless, this can lead to less interaction on school grounds.
Does Executive MBA help in India?
There are lots of courses and educational disciplines which allow individuals to search out good job and salary subsequently. Apart from getting good jobs, the working professionals want regular up gradation as regards innovative management principles. An executive MBA is premeditated to facilitate working professionals gain a competitive edge.
Which executive MBA is best in India?
Deciding which Executive MBA program is the best in India can be a challenging task as there are many factors to consider. Here are some steps that can help in making an informed decision:
Identify your goals: First, determine what you want to achieve from an Executive MBA program.
Research: Conduct research on various Executive MBA programs in India. Look at their curriculum, faculty, reputation, accreditation, student profile, location, and alumni network. You can check out online rankings, read reviews, and visit program websites to gather information. You can also approach an experienced MBA admission consultant at GOALisB for a profile evaluation.
Attend information sessions: Attend information sessions or webinars organized by the schools to learn more about the program.
Consider cost: Executive MBA programs can be expensive. Consider the cost of tuition, travel, accommodation, and other expenses.
Compare and make a decision: Once you have gathered all the necessary information, compare the programs based on your goals, budget, and preferences. Finally, make a decision based on your research and personal preferences.
When to apply for executive MBA?
The application process for Executive MBA programs varies depending on the school, but it typically involves several steps, and the timeline can vary depending on the program's start date. Here are some general guidelines on when to apply for an Executive MBA:
Research early: Researching and identifying potential programs well in advance is essential. This can give you enough time to gather all the necessary information and prepare for the application process.
Check deadlines: Check the application deadlines for each program you are interested in. Deadlines may vary depending on the program's start date, and some programs may have multiple rounds of admissions.
Plan ahead: Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to complete the application. The application process for Executive MBA programs may involve several steps, including standardized tests, essays, recommendations, and interviews.
Consider work commitments: Since Executive MBA programs are designed for working professionals, you will need to consider your work commitments and ensure that you can balance your workload while pursuing the program.
In general, it is recommended to start the application process at least six to eight months before the program's start date. This will give you enough time to prepare and complete the application process without rushing. However, it's always a good idea to check with the specific program you are interested in for their application timeline and deadlines.
Why executive MBA is important?
We have also addressed the need of why Executive MBA is important in the Forbes article authored by our mentor Shruti P about the aspects which are important in deciding to pursue an Executive MBA.
The 2022 EMBAC Membership Program Survey shows that Executive MBA is increasingly important as:
EMBA Students are typically experienced professionals: The data shows that the average age of EMBA students is 38.9 years, with an average of 14.6 years of professional work experience and 9.2 years of management experience.
Gender diversity is improving: The survey found that 34.8% of EMBA students were female. Although this is still a minority, it indicates that the gender gap in business education is gradually decreasing.
Scholarships and sponsorships are common: The survey shows that 61% of EMBA programs offered scholarships or fellowships. This suggests that financial support is available for students who may not be able to afford the program.
Majority of EMBA students self-fund their education: The data indicates that 56.2% of EMBA students self-funded their education.
International exposure is valued: The survey found that 92% of EMBA programs offered an international trip as part of their curriculum. This indicates that EMBA students place value on gaining a global perspective and understanding different business cultures.
Overall, the data suggests that EMBA programs attract experienced professionals seeking to enhance their skills, and that financial support is available for those who may need it.
Still not sure which program you should apply to? Get in touch with an expert at GOALisB who can help in the school shortlisting, career planning and the application process. Whatsapp at +91 7719497187 or email at contact@goalisb.com.