Karnataka MBA Admissions 2025: Eligibility, Exams & Admission Process

• Updated on  16 Aug, 2025 by Epil Gagrai

Admission in Karnataka MBA attracts high volumes of applicants annually, due to the superior facilities offered by institutions in the state, and the popularity of business and technological activity in the state. Karnataka has some of the most well-recognized B-schools, such as IIM Bangalore, TAPMI Manipal, and Christ University, which have many different MBA programs designed to cater needs of new graduates or individuals who are already working.

 

The fees depend on the institute and specialization, but in general lie in the range of INR 10 lakhs - 26.2 lakh. It opens up admission through national and state-level entrance tests like CAT, Karnataka PGCET, KMAT, and others. Once the candidates have passed the cut-offs of the entrance test, they are tested again in written aptitude tests, group discussions, essay writing, extempore, and personal interviews. Karnataka is an ideal destination to learn management in India through its amalgamation of academic training, combined with practical business experience

 

Table of Contents
  1. Karnataka MBA Admission Highlights
  2. MBA Eligibility in Karnataka
  3. Karnataka MBA Admissions: Entrance Exams 2025
  4. Karnataka MBA Admission Process 2025
  5. Karnataka MBA Admission FAQs

 

Karnataka MBA Admission Highlights

The key details of MBA admission in Karnataka are mentioned below:

Particulars

Details

Course

MBA

Duration

2 years

Eligibility

Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks in aggregate

Admission Process

Entrance Exams + Written Test + Group Discussion + Personal Interview

Exams Accepted

National: CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CMAT, ATMA, etc.

 

State: Karnataka, PGCET, Karnataka KMAT

 

Institute level: JET, AMAT, etc.

Course Fees

INR 10 - 26 Lakhs

Top Colleges

IIM Bangalore, TAPMI Manipal, Christ University, Alliance Business School, Jain University, etc.

 

MBA Eligibility in Karnataka

To be eligible for MBA programs in Karnataka, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
  • Minimum Marks: At least 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination (45% for reserved category candidates).
  • Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year of graduation can also apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria by the time of admission.

 

Karnataka MBA Admissions: Entrance Exams 2025

The admission into most of the B-schools in Karnataka is based on national or state-level entrance examinations. Some institutions may conduct their own entrance exams. Here is the list of some of the MBA entrance exam in karnataka:

National Level Entrance Exams

Exams Name

Application Date

 

(Tentative)

Exam Date

 

(Tentative)

Application Fees

Cut offs

CAT 2025

Aug 1 - Sep 20, 2025

Nov 24, 2025

INR 2,500

94–97 percentile

XAT 2026

July 15 - Dec 10, 2025

Jan 05, 2026

INR 2,200

95+ percentile

MAT 2026

PBT: May, 2026

 

CBT: June, 2026

PBT: May, 2026

 

CBT: June, 2026

INR 2,200 (for CBT/ PBT)

 

INR 3,800 (CBT + PBT)

80–95 percentile

ATMA 2026

Mar - May, 2026

June, 2026

INR 2,000 (Male)

 

INR 1,500 (Female)

70 - 95 percentile

CMAT 2026

Nov - Dec, 2026

Jan, 2026

INR 2,500 (Male)

 

INR 1,250 (Female)

95–99percentile

NMAT 2026

July 2026

July 2026

INR 3,000

210–230 marks

State-Level Entrance Exams

Exam Name

Application Date

Exam Date

Application Fees

Cut offs

Karnataka PGCET 2026

Apr - May, 2026

Jun, 2026

INR 650 (for general)

 

INR 500 (for reserved)

General category cutoff: 50-70 marks

 

Reserved categories: 40-60 marks

Karnataka KMAT 2026

June, 2026

Aug 2026

INR 873

General category cutoff: 70-120 marks

 

OBC: 65-110 marks

 

SC/ST: 50-90 marks

 

Karnataka MBA Admission Process 2025

MBA admissions in Karnataka are done based on the entrance exams. Mentioned below is the admission process for IIM Bangalore:

 

Step 1: Visit the official IIM Bangalore website and apply to the Common Admission Test (CAT) carried out by the IIMs. You can apply online by registering with your email id/mobile number, and entering personal, academic and work experience details, uploading the necessary documents and paying the application fee (INR 2400/- General / INR 1200/- SC/ST/PwD).

 

Step 2: Get the CAT admit card and attempt the CAT in the prescribed exam date. The test assesses the candidate on varied parameters- quantitative ability, data interpretation & logical reasoning, and verbal ability & reading comprehension.

 

Step 3: After checking the CAT result, you may download the scorecard in the official CAT site. In case you clear the IIM Bangalore cut-off requirement, then there is a possibility that you could be short-listed by using the CAT score, your academic background, working experience and diversification factors.

 

Step 4: The shortlisted candidates are to appear before the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) at IIM Bangalore. The last phase consists of a performance on a composite score of CAT, the WAT and PI scores, academic record, work experience and diversity.

 

Step 5: In case you are chosen, you will get an offer letter of IIM Bangalore. Upon acceptance, pay the admission acceptance fee before the indicated deadlines in order to confirm.

 

Step 6: Report to IIM Bangalore on the Plan. Provide copies of original documents, including academic mark sheets, work experience certificates (in case of work experience), photo identification proof, and CAT scorecard. Fill out the enrolment form and participate in the orientation according to the academic calendar.

 

Also Read: MBA Admission in Maharashtra

 

Karnataka MBA Admission FAQs

What are the main MBA entrance exams in Karnataka?

The MBA colleges in Karnataka consider the scores of various national-level entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, and GMAT. The Karnataka domicile candidates can appear for state management exams like Karnataka PGCET, KMAT Karnataka, and get admission into state reserved seats.

Who conducts the Karnataka PGCET for MBA, and who is eligible?

The Karnataka PGCET is conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). The candidates who have a bachelor's degree in any discipline and have secured a minimum aggregate of 50% marks and a residents of Karnataka are eligible for Karnataka PGCET.

Are students from other states eligible for MBA admission in Karnataka?

Yes, students from all states in India can apply to B-schools in Karnataka. All the B-Schools in Karnataka accept national entrance tests such as CAT, CMAT, XAT, ATMA, etc. But only the people of Karnataka can avail themselves of the government quota seats under Karnataka PGCET.

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