MBA Cooperative Management is a two-year program, which is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for managerial skills, management in any organisation, and understanding of the workings of the subdivisions of management. MBA in Cooperative Management top colleges are Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) in Pune, which is a popular alternative institution in India that offers MBA programs in cooperative management.
Other institutes are the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, Gandhigram Rural Institute, and numerous universities such as Annamalai University and Alagappa University, which provide speciality programs or focus areas within their overall MBA offers. MBA Cooperative Management graduates can work in various settings, including cooperatives, non-governmental organisations, financial institutions, and government agencies that promote rural development and social entrepreneurship.
Admission to the MBA Cooperative Management requires a bachelor's degree with at least 50% grades. Admission methods vary by institution and may include exams such as the CAT, MAT, or institution-specific tests. The course fees in India range from INR 60,000 to INR 2,00,000, depending on the college they apply to.
- MBA Cooperative Management Highlights Table
- What is MBA Cooperative Management?
- Why Study MBA Cooperative Management?
- Who Should Study an MBA Cooperative Management?
- MBA Cooperative Management Eligibility Criteria
- MBA Cooperative Management Entrance Exams 2025
- MBA Cooperative Management Colleges in India
- MBA Cooperative Management Admission Process 2025
- MBA Cooperative Management Syllabus
- MBA Cooperative Management Job Opportunities in India
- MBA Cooperative Management Vs MBA
- MBA Cooperative Management FAQs
MBA Cooperative Management Highlights Table
Below are the key highlights of the MBA Cooperative Management course in India:
What is MBA Cooperative Management?
MBA in Cooperative Management is a specialized postgraduate program focused on cooperative systems, rural development, and organizational management in the cooperative sector. Cooperative legislation, financial management, rural economics, project management, and human resources are typical areas covered in the Master of Business Administration Cooperative Management program.
The MBA in Cooperative Management is designed to provide students with the leadership skills and abilities to govern and innovate in cooperative groups. The course also provides internships, field projects, and exposure to cooperative groups with the course. Students study and get hands-on experience with cooperative functions, social, and financial elements in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Why Study MBA Cooperative Management?
A Master of Business Administration Cooperative Management enables students interested in establishing and designing good cooperative administration to learn the necessary skills and knowledge. Assistants and supervisors are in high demand in all forms of media/marketing/management organisations, including advertising agencies and consultancies.
- It prepares students for careers related to rural development, community participation, and the larger cooperative sector.
- With increasing global focus on sustainability and inclusive growth, the cooperative sector offers immense job opportunities. Companies like NABARD and IFFCO are seeking professionals possessing expertise in cooperative management.
- Versatile Job Roles: Graduates can work as cooperative managers, rural development officers, project managers, or any number of jobs in terms of NGOs, government bodies, and cooperatives.
- Opportunities for Research/Higher Education: Digging deeper into rural economics or cooperative law gives graduates greater opportunities. It also adds to the body of academic knowledge and will develop policy in the area.
- The candidates can develop their expertise in the leadership and management of cooperatives, thereby helping ensure firsthand impacts in rural and community-driven progress.
Who Should Study an MBA Cooperative Management?
The Master of Business Administration Cooperative Management course is primarily intended for engineering students interested in managing jobs in the industry. So, in addition to the standard management topics, this course will cover a wide range of managerial topics.
- A Cooperative Management Group will be an autonomous organization comprised of individuals who will collaborate to achieve a common purpose.
- The individuals have a common interest in the economic, social, and cultural requirements and characteristics of society.
- Candidates who complete this course are offered lucrative wage packages. The average beginning wage is approximately INR 6,00,000, although this improves with experience.
- The program provides the tools necessary for individuals to lead impactful projects that improve the lives of people in rural communities.
Who Should Consider Choosing This Course:
- Social Entrepreneurs: Those interested in starting or managing cooperative businesses.
- Public Sector Aspirants: Individuals aiming to work in rural development agencies or NGOs.
- Graduates in Agriculture/Economics: Those with a background in agriculture or rural economics looking to expand into management.
- Leaders in the Making: Those seeking managerial roles in cooperatives, rural businesses, or related sectors.
MBA Cooperative Management Eligibility Criteria
MBA courses are postgraduate programs; thus, graduation is mandatory for a Cooperative Management career. The Master of Business Administration Cooperative Management eligibility criteria at Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, are listed below:
- Academic Qualification: Candidates should have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or management institute.
- Minimum Marks Requirement: A graduate degree under the 10+2+3 pattern in any discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks from a recognized university.
- Subject Combination: Candidates from all streams (Science, Commerce, Arts) are eligible, though proficiency in mathematics and economics is beneficial.
- A background in Cooperative Management can be helpful, but it is not necessarily required.
- A national or state-level exam score, such as the CAT, XAT, CMAT, and XAT.
- Applicants who have taken bachelor's degree examinations and are awaiting results may also apply, provided they meet the prerequisites by August.
- Reservation of seats for OBC (Non-Creamy) SC / ST / Physically Disabled persons/ Wards of Kashmiri migrants and Kashmiri Pandit/Kashmiri Hindu households (Non-migrants) living in Kashmir Valley under Government of India guidelines
MBA Cooperative Management Entrance Exams 2025
CAT, XAT, and CMAT are the common entrance tests in India for MBA Cooperative Management programs. For overseas programs, the GMAT and GRE are frequently required. The precise examinations necessary may differ depending on the college or program. Here is a table summarising the key details for major Master of Business Administration Cooperative Management entrance exams in India for the upcoming admission cycle:
Read more about the Master in Business Studies
MBA Cooperative Management Colleges in India
Pursuing this course from a reputable college will significantly improve your professional prospects. The best colleges provide excellent education, skilled teachers, and strong industry links. Here is a ranking of India's top MBA colleges, based on academic reputation, facilities, and overall placement rates.
Some of the top colleges offering MBA Cooperative Management in India include:
MBA Cooperative Management Admission Process 2025
The admission process at the Kerala Institute of Cooperative Management (KICMA) in Thiruvananthapuram:
Step 1: Candidates must access the KICMA MBA Admission Portal. Candidates must register with their name, mobile number, email address, and birth date. After registering, candidates must log in with their email address and date of birth to complete the application form.
Step 2: Pay a non-refundable INR 500 application fee online during registration. If the payment is deducted but not reflected immediately, please wait until the end of the day to contact the admissions office.
Step 3: Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, B.Tech, or equivalent) from a recognized university with at least 50% aggregate marks. Valid score from the following entry exams: KMAT Kerala, CMAT, or CAT. Candidates appearing for their final year exams are also eligible to apply.Step 4: Prepare and upload the documents and submit the form.
Step 5: Your application and entrance exam score will determine if you are shortlisted for the GD and PI rounds. The dates of GD and PI will be sent to you via the registered email address. The selection panel will consist of KICMA academic members and a representative from the University of Kerala.
Step 6: The final selection list will be available on the KICMA website and notice board.
Step 7: Selected candidates will get an admissions offer letter via email. Please confirm your acceptance by following the instructions in the offer letter.
Step 8: Candidates must come to the institute in person to verify their documents. Candidates must pay the fee indicated in the admission offer to secure their seat.
Required Documents
- Class 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates
- Graduation mark sheet and degree certificate
- Entrance exam scorecard
- Identity proof
- Date of birth certificate
- Passport-sized photographs
MBA Cooperative Management Syllabus
The syllabus is mostly similar across colleges. However, the MBA Cooperative Management syllabus, as followed at the Kerala Institute of Cooperative Management (KICMA), is mentioned below:
MBA Cooperative Management Job Opportunities in India
This course provides numerous opportunities in the commercial and corporate management sectors. Managerial positions are usually essential in any business since they can appropriately steer operational workers or employees through their projects and day-to-day tasks. All organizations require the role of a facilitator or helper. Here is an overview of MBA Cooperative Management job opportunities in India as per Indeed and Naukri.com, which include typical profiles, required experience, top recruiters, and average salaries:
MBA Cooperative Management Vs MBA
MBA Cooperative Management is a merging of the overall concepts of business management with courses bearing on the cooperative industry, including cooperative law, rural economics, project management, and finance management. Conversely, Whereas, an MBA has a great range of industries and managerial positions and provides greater career mobility and salaries on average, about INR 4-8 lakh per year.
MBA Cooperative Management FAQs
Can non-agricultural graduates apply to the Cooperative Management MBA?
Yes, non-agricultural graduates may apply for the MBA in Cooperative Management. Graduates from all fields, including business, economics, social sciences, and engineering, are eligible to enroll in the course. A background in agriculture, rural development, or economics may be useful, but it is not required. Many institutions seek different academic backgrounds since cooperative management is a multidisciplinary field. Candidates with strong analytical skills, leadership potential, and a genuine interest in rural development and cooperative systems can excel in this program, regardless of their undergraduate degree.
How many institutes of MBA cooperative management exist in India?
There are several well-known institutes across India, such as the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) in Pune, Indira Gandhi Institute of Cooperative Management (IGICM) in Lucknow, and Kerala Institute of Cooperative Management (KICMA) in Thiruvananthapuram, teaching MBA Cooperative Management. These institutes specialise in courses concerning MBA and conduct research and teaching in cooperative principles, rural development, and management. The actual number may vary but in general, India has atleast ten recognised institutes conducting postgraduate courses in cooperative management.
What is the MBA Cooperative Management fee in top colleges?
The highest fee for an MBA in Cooperative Management can range from ₹5,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 at top private institutes, while the lowest fee typically ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 at government or less prominent colleges. Fees vary depending on the college's reputation, infrastructure, and location. Always check official websites for accurate and up-to-date fee structures.
Which MBA Cooperative Management college has higher placement?
Colleges like National Institute of Cooperative Management (NICM), Indian Institute of Cooperative Management (IICM), and Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) typically have higher placement records. Graduates from these institutes often secure placements in top cooperatives, financial institutions, rural development organizations, and government agencies, with good salary packages and roles in management and policy-making.
Who is not eligible for the MBA Cooperative Management course?
Candidates without a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) from a recognized university are ineligible for the MBA Cooperative Management program. In addition, individuals who do not have the needed minimum percentage in their undergraduate studies or who do not meet the specific admission standards (such as entrance tests) may be excluded. Each college may have different qualifying requirements, therefore it's important to check their policies.
Is there a huge demand for MBA Cooperative Management courses?
Yes, the MBA in Cooperative Management is becoming more popular as cooperative groups play an increasingly important role in rural development, agriculture, and finance. This course addresses the demand for professionals who can manage cooperative firms, which have a large economic impact, particularly in the rural and agricultural sectors. The demand for qualified personnel grows in tandem with the cooperative sector's expansion.
