Types of MBA in India

• Updated on  Aug 15, 2025, by Vasudha Sharma

The MBA in India is remarkably well-rounded and offers a wide range of career objectives. Full-time MBA course that delivers a comprehensive understanding of key business disciplines-Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Strategy. To enhance their skills in a particular field, candidates can pursue Specialised MBAs in Marketing Management, Finance, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, and Information Technology, thereby gaining deeper expertise in their selected career path.

 

Executive MBA courses aim to sponsor employees who are working professionals and are looking to enhance their management skills without having to extend their careers. Distance Learning MBA offers candidates the flexibility of learning in case they need the authority to study at a distance. The distance MBA is enhanced further by a package of niche areas of specialisation, namely Rural Management, Healthcare Management, and Entrepreneurship, thus allowing MBA aspirants in India to tailor their degree to perfectly match their career goals.

 

Table of Contents
  1. MBA Specialisations
  2. Executive MBA (EMBA)
  3. Distance MBA
  4. Online MBA
  5. 1 Year Full-Time MBA
  6. Types of MBA Specialisations with Top Colleges
  7. Types of MBA: Scope
  8. Types of MBA in IIM
  9. Types of MBA: FAQs

 

MBA Specialisations

The top MBA specializations offered by Indian institutes are MBA Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Business Analytics, IT, Operations, Retail, and in the trending areas of AI, Data Science, and Digital Marketing. Such programmes equip students with an individual trajectory in business, technology, the creative industries, and leadership.

MBA Specialization

Key Focus Areas

Popular Recruiters

MBA Finance

Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Risk Management

Banks, Investment, Consulting

MBA Marketing

Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior

FMCG, Retail, Advertising

MBA Business Analytics

Data Analytics, Predictive Modeling

Tech, E-com, Consulting

MBA Human Resource Management

Talent Management, Employee Engagement

IT, Corporate, Manufacturing

MBA Information Technology/Fintech

IT Management, Cybersecurity, Digital Payments

IT, Fintech, Consulting

MBA Operations Management

Supply Chain, Logistics, Process Optimization

Manufacturing, Logistics

MBA Artificial Intelligence/ML

AI Automation, Predictive Analytics

Tech, Healthcare, Finance

MBA Project Management

Planning, Risk Management, Execution

IT, Construction, Manufacturing

MBA Healthcare/Hospital Management

Healthcare Operations, Admin, Policy

Hospitals, Pharma, Healthcare

MBA International Business

Export/Import, Cross-border Trade

MNCs, Export Houses, Consulting

MBA Agri-Business/Rural Management

Rural Development, Agribusiness, Social Enterprise

NGOs, Agri-corporates, Govt

MBA Entrepreneurship

Startups, Innovation, Business Development

Start-ups, Self-employment

 

Executive MBA (EMBA)

Executive MBA (EMBA) is a part-time MBA course that focuses on working professionals to develop leadership, strategic sense, and managerial skills without leaving the job. The EMBA focuses on applied learning, giving the participants the ability to implement advanced knowledge into the market instantly. Alumni usually receive promotions, increased pay, and larger networks, which make them ready to hold top positions and the changing business environment.

College Name

Key EMBA Specializations

IIM Ahmedabad

General Management, Strategy, Finance, Marketing, Operations

ISB Hyderabad

Leadership, Strategy, Marketing Management, Finance, Digital Transformation

IIM Bangalore

General Management, Strategy, Digital, Supply Chain

IIM Calcutta

General Management, Analytics, Finance, Marketing

IIM Kozhikode

General Management, Strategy, Operations

IIM Indore

General Management, Finance, Marketing

XLRI Jamshedpur

Human Resources, Business Management

SPJIMR Mumbai

General Management, Finance, Marketing

IIFT Delhi

International Business, Trade

Great Lakes Institute of Management

Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Leadership

 

Distance MBA

A distance MBA in India offers an affordable, convenient and mobile access to business learning to working professionals and distant learners. It covers the core business subjects and a variety of specializations both in online and corresponded form. With recognized accredited courses, it facilitates career advancement without the need of moving to another location or keeping work on hold.

College Name

Location

Delhi University School of Learning

Delhi

IGNOU

Delhi

Jamia Milia Islamia

Delhi

Jharkhand State Open University

Jharkhand

Dibrugarh University

Assam

Tezpur University

Tezpur

Calicut University

Calicut

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)

Pune

IMT Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad

 

Online MBA

An Online MBA involves extremely flexible coursework and is online only, and it fits very well with working executives and professionals who have to balance their careers and education. These degrees are well appreciated in the employment sector, making the career advancement process very easy without relocating or even losing employment.

College/University

Key Online MBA Specializations Offered

Amity University Online

Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Strategic Management, Digital Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics, Data Science, International Finance

NMIMS

Business Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, and Operations & Data Science Management

Manipal University Online

HR, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, IT, and Operations Management

Jain Online University

Finance, HRM, Marketing, System and Operations Management, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Artificial Intelligence

DY Patil University Online

HR, Healthcare Management, Finance, Management, Data Science

Lovely Professional University Online

Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations

Chandigarh University Online

Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations

IIM Ahmedabad (Online MBA)

General Management, Finance, Marketing, etc.

 

1 Year Full-Time MBA

The one-year MBA (full-time) lasts between ten to fifteen months. The one-year MBA course aims at working professionals who wish to advance their careers without being involved in any traditional learning, and thus only those who have working experience can enroll in the course. The top MBA colleges for one-year MBA are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, Indian School of Business Hyderabad, etc, which provide transformative and high-impact learning.

College Name

Program Name

IIM Ahmedabad

Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives (PGPX)

IIM Bangalore

Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP)

IIM Calcutta

MBA for Executives Programme (MBA-Ex)

IIM Kozhikode

Post Graduate Programme in Business Leadership (PGP-BL)

Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad

Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP)

XLRI Jamshedpur

Executive PGDM-General Management Programme (GMP)

MDI Gurgaon

PGDM in Business Management (PGDM-BM)

SPJIMR Mumbai

Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM)

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM)

 

Types of MBA Specialisations with Top Colleges

The MBA specializations offered in India are Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Business Analytics, IT and the newer ones AI and Digital Marketing. The top MBA colleges offering these are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, ISB Hyderabad, XLRI Jamshedpur and SPJIMR Mumbai.

MBA Specialisation

Top Colleges Offering Specialisation

Finance

IIM Calcutta, SP Jain Mumbai, IIM Ahmedabad, FMS Delhi

Marketing

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon

Human Resource Management (HRM)

TISS Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi

Business Analytics / Data Science

IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, NMIMS Mumbai, ISB Hyderabad

Operations Management

SPJIMR Mumbai, IIM Udaipur, IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)

Information Technology / Fintech

Jamnalal Bajaj Institute, Chandigarh University, IIM Bangalore

General Management

IIM Ahmedabad, ISB Hyderabad, IIM Bangalore

Entrepreneurship

ISB Hyderabad, IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur

Supply Chain Management

SPJIMR Mumbai, IIM Udaipur, Lovely Professional University

International Business

IIFT Delhi, MDI Gurgaon

Artificial Intelligence / ML

IIM Bangalore, Great Lakes Chennai, NMIMS Mumbai

Healthcare Management

TISS Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur

Retail Management

BIMTECH Greater Noida, K J Somaiya Mumbai

 

Types of MBA: Scope

The types of MBA include full-time, part-time, one-year, distance courses, and online courses- each is geared to cater to various learners through their flexible and industry-aligned program of career advancement, leadership options, and skills enhancement across domains.

  • Traditional MBA

The traditional full-time MBA equips the candidates with an entry level to leadership and professional tracks in various fields such as finance, marketing, IT, and healthcare, and it can be embraced by both graduates and career changers.

  • Part-time MBA

Part-time MBA aims at training working professionals to gain managerial skills without stopping their career, concentrating on short-term, real-world, immediate applicability and contribution in their respective organizations.

  • Full-time One-year MBA

Full-time one-year MBA is an intensive degree, geared towards providing a fast track, professional development to experienced professionals, who seek immediate promotion to senior level in the leadership hierarchy, with major universities offering one-year MBA as IIM Ahmedabad and ISB Hyderabad.

  • Distance MBA

Distance MBA courses are flexible and affordable. The distance MBA is recognized and is credited by the recruiters. The distance MBA is offered by accredited universities, preparing candidates to gain advanced learning.

  • Online MBA

Online MBA uses digital technology to bring balance between education and employment and touches both conventional and emerging topics like AI and digital marketing, where the workplace increasingly accepts it.

 

Types of MBA in IIM

The IIMs offer various MBA programs that cater to different career levels. The IIMs offer Postgraduate programs, including Executive MBA, concentrating on core management disciplines with elective specializations.

IIMs

NIRF Ranking

Courses Offered

IIM Ahmedabad

1

Post Graduate Programme (PGP, Full-Time MBA), Executive MBA (PGPX), Blended MBA (BPGP), ePGP (Online MBA), Specialized Programs in Business Analytics, Public Policy, Digital Business

IIM Bangalore

2

PGP (Full-Time MBA), Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP), Master of Management Studies (Public Policy), PhD, Specialized MBA in Business Analytics, Digital Business, Strategy

IIM Calcutta

5

PGP (Full-Time MBA), Executive MBA (MBA-Ex), Fellow Programme in Management (PhD), Specialized MBA in Finance, Analytics

IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE)

6

MBA in Industrial Management, Specialized programs in Supply Chain Management, MBA Operations Management

IIM Lucknow

7

PGP (Full-Time MBA), PGP in Agribusiness Management, Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management (PGPSM), Post Graduate Programme for Working Executives (PGPWE), Blended MBA (bMBA)

IIM Udaipur

22

MBA Degree Program, One-Year MBA in Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM), One-Year MBA in Digital Enterprise Management (DEM), Executive MBA

IIM Kashipur

23

PGP (Full-Time MBA), MBA in Business Analytics

IIM Shillong

24

PGP (Full-Time MBA), Executive programs, Fellow/PhD programs

 

Types of MBA: FAQs

Is EMBA better than MBA?

EMBA focuses on career professionals who want to refine their leadership and strategic skills and do not want to put work on hold. By contrast, an MBA would be the right choice for early- to mid-career professionals who want to achieve basic management skills or a career transition. The choice depends on the career level and goals.

What are the disadvantages of Executive MBA?

An executive MBA is usually expensive, and generally costs more compared to full-time conventional programmes. It requires the candidates to balance work with jobs and family. As such, there is a lesser focus on technical skills and on internships in the curriculum, where the focus is more towards leadership development. Students also have limited peer interactions.

What is an executive MBA salary?

Alumni who have studied an executive MBA earn a salary that fits their skills and level of experience. An EMBA salary in India ranges between INR 15 LPA and 25 LPA, which can only be considered among the leaders and with a strategic mandate.

Can I do an MBA in 1 year?

Various institutes in India offer a one-year MBA course focusing on intense studies, which targets experienced personnel. These programs, usually labeled as Executive MBAs or Post Graduate Programmes in Executives, offer a highly condensed version of the study in the fields of leadership, strategy, finance, and marketing.

Does IIM offer a 1-year MBA?

IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta also offer 1-year full-time post-graduate programmes in management popularly known as PGPX, Executive PGPM, and EPGP, respectively. These courses emphasize leadership, strategy, and superior skills in management.

Which is better, a 1-year MBA or a 2-year MBA?

A 1-year MBA is beneficial to experienced professionals who want to take their careers by storm without sacrificing their jobs. It is intense and leadership, and strategically focused. Whereas a 2-year MBA will be in line with fresh graduates or early-career professionals who are interested in a more in-depth management foundation, access to internships, and intensive networking on campus.

What is the cost of an IIM part-time MBA?

Tuition fees of IIM part-time MBA courses are also quite expensive and they often vary between INR 15 lakhs to INR 35 lakh rupees, depending on the institute and kind of course. As a case scenario, the PGPX programme at IIM Ahmedabad is estimated to fit the same price range.

Is CAT required for a part-time MBA?

The candidates applying to part-time or executive MBA programmes at IIMs do not need CAT scores. Rather, admissions are based on work experience and academic qualification, along with a personal interview, etc.

Which college is best for an MBA without a CAT?

Post Graduate Programme at the Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad Campus, executive MBA programmes at some IIMs, such as the PGPX, the group of executive programmes at XLRI, and the accredited private universities that offer either a distance or online MBA, including Amity University and NMIMS.

Does IIM offer an online MBA?

IIM Ahmedabad, among some other IIMs, offers an online or distance executive MBA programme (named ePGP). These blended programmes combine the flexibility of online education with the quality curriculum of a top-tier school, and are attractive to the individual who has an education/work life balance. Employers are now appreciating that such degrees are a legitimate pathway to career advancement.

Is a distance MBA valid for jobs?

The distance MBA offered by a university is recognized by the UGC-DEB. These accreditations are recognized by several employers, particularly when combined with extensive working experience. However, some specific executive positions and organisations would prefer full-time MBA graduates.

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