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Jagpreet
24 June, 2024
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Getting an MBA degree is a huge investment. Let alone the high competition you face. If you don’t go for a reputed B-school then there’s no point doing it. That’s why candidates think 10 times before pursuing a regular 2-year MBA programme. This marked the adoption of a new format for management education which reduced the duration of the MBA degree from two years to one year. The trend for 1 year MBA programme started at a European business school and now has gained significant popularity in India as well. As it is still in its initial phase, not many colleges offer a credible 1 year MBA degree. The 1 year MBA in India is specifically designed for experienced professionals aiming for career advancement. As a result, some institutions offer 1 year PGDM/MBA and 1 year executive MBA programmes. Depending upon your experience level and professional profile you can make the choice.
In this blog, we have enlisted the top six 1-year MBA programmes in India to narrow down your research and explain you its pros and cons.
Here is the list of colleges offering 1 year MBA/PGDM degrees in India. While you are at it, please note that PGDM and MBA programmes are equivalent and differ only in a few aspects like duration.
| Institution Name | Course Offered |
| ISB (Indian School of Business) | Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) |
| Xavier School of Management (XLRI) | Post Graduate Diploma in Management – General Management (PGDM – GM) |
| SPJIMR | Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) |
| Jindal Global Business School | Global MBA in Business Analytics |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | MBA/ Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) |
| Institute of Management Technology (IMT Ghaziabad) | Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDM EXP) |
ISB is one of the premier business schools in the country, celebrated for its world-class business and management education in Asia. It is funded entirely by private corporations, individuals and foundations around the world making it a not-for-profit organisation. Owing to its academic excellence, ISB has received ‘triple crown’ accreditations from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. The institution has a strong wide network of alumni working in top multinational companies around the world. The ISB 1 year MBA programme or the PGP course is delivered on both the campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali.
| Course Name | Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) |
| Location | Hyderabad & Mohali |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Eligibility | Candidates with 2 years of experience |
| Mode of Learning | Regular |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Course Fee | INR 27,61,000 (for shared accommodation) || INR 29,88,000 (for studio accommodation) |
| Rankings & Recognitions | • AACSB Accredited • AMBA Accreditation • EQUIS Accredited |
XLRI was founded in 1949, becoming the oldest management institution in the country. Over the years, the institution has established itself as a top brand for business and management education in India. Various distinguished personalities, industrialists, academicians and dignitaries of Jamshedpur Jesuit Society are a part of the XLRI administration. XLRI offers a 15-month residential programme for students with a minimum of 5 years of work experience. The course is designed to familiarise the candidates with the latest management theories and hone their problem-solving skills. This flagship 1 year MBA/PGDM programme is recognised by various statutory bodies and provides impeccable placement opportunities.
| Course Name | Post Graduate Diploma in Management in General Management – PGDM (GM) |
| Location | Jamshedpur |
| Duration | 15 months |
| Eligibility | Must have 5 years of supervisory or managerial experience. An executive PGDM applicant may choose the XAT, GMAT or GRE pathway for admission. |
| Mode of Learning | Regular |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Course Fee | INR 23.15 Lakh |
| Rankings & Recognitions | • AACSB Accredited • AICTE Recognition |
The S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) was established in 1981 as a constituent of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, an educational trust. It is a tier 1 AICTE-approved business school accredited by the AACSB and AMBA. The institution was built to upgrade the managerial system and provide globally recognised education. Its 1 year MBA / PGPM course gives the option to participate in the international immersion programme. SPJIMR has a 100% placement record and offers full career support.
| Course Name | Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) |
| Location | Mumbai |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Eligibility | Must have 3 years of work experience |
| Mode of Learning | Regular |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Course Fee | INR 22,80,000 |
| Rankings & Recognitions | • AICTE Recognition • #7 rank in India by the India Today Rankings 2023 |
Jindal Global Business School is a leading business institution under the aegis of O.P. Jindal Global University. It offers multidisciplinary business education through global collaborations and industry partnerships. The school provides degree programmes, executive courses, research and consulting-based programmes. Its 1 year MBA is tailored to match the industry standards and cater to the current needs of the business analytics field. It covers topics like business intelligence, machine learning, data visualisation, and predictive modelling. You also get a chance to interact with international faculty and network with global business professionals.
| Course Name | Global MBA in Business Analytics |
| Location | Sonipat |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Eligibility | Must have 2 years of work experience and valid CAT/XAT/GMAT/GRE/NMAT/MAT/ATMA/CUET-PG score |
| Mode of Learning | Regular |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Course Fee | INR 11,00,000 |
| Rankings & Recognitions | • Institute of Eminence by UGC • #1 rank by QS World University Rankings 2023 |
Established in 2004, Great Lakes Institute of Management is another top business school offering 1 year MBA programme. With its world-class management education and innovative business approach, the institute has risen to prominence in a short time. It facilitates students with international immersion opportunities, unparalleled peer learning and globally recognised degrees. The curriculum of 1 year MBA course includes 20 core courses and 14 elective options. In addition to this, every year top recruiters including Accenture, Deloitte, TC, HSBC, etc.
| Course Name | MBA/Post Graduate Programme in Management |
| Location | Chennai |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Eligibility | Must have 2 years of work experience and a valid CAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT/NMAT score are required |
| Mode of Learning | Regular |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Course Fee | INR 17,95,000 |
| Rankings & Recognitions | • AACSB • AMBA • SAQS • NBA |
Another prestigious name offering 1 year MBA in India is the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad. Established in 1980, IMT has focused on grooming business leaders by offering postgraduate programmes in the past decades. The institution has been consistently ranked among the top B-schools in the country. The 1 year MBA/PGDM EXP offers 4 weeks of international immersion opportunity to experience global business scenarios. You can customise your course with the specialisation of your choice such as marketing management, information management and analytics, human resource management, operations and supply chain management, strategy and finance.
| Course Name | Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDM EXP) |
| Location | Ghaziabad |
| Duration | 18 month |
| Eligibility | Must have 3 years of work experience and test scores of CAT/XAT/GMAT |
| Mode of Learning | Regular |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Course Fee | – |
| Rankings & Recognitions | • AACSB • AMBA • AICTE • AIU • NBA • SAQS |
As the dimensions of 1 year MBA programme are different in every college, you must review the eligibility criteria thoroughly. Here is the general eligibility you must fulfil:
Must have secured 50% aggregate in undergraduate
Work experience of 2 to 5 years is required
There is no upper age limit to pursue this course
Please note that these criteria may differ in colleges and course types.
Here are a few pros and cons of 1 year MBA in India:
| Pro | Cons |
| As candidates in 1 year MBA programme require a few years of experience, it brings varied viewpoints and networking opportunities. | 1 year MBA programme has less time for you to get real-world experience compared to the other counterparts. |
| Highly beneficial for mid-career professionals returning to academics compared to fresh graduates. | Internships and industrial training are extremely important parts of the MBA curriculum. However, very few colleges offer internship opportunities in 1 year MBA. |
| Owing to the shorter duration, the tuition fee is less for a few of them compared to a 2-year programme. It saves a lot of time and money. | There are fewer consultancy projects or extended networking possibilities. |
| It brings a cross-cultural environment to the class and you get to interact with peers from various industries. | Since the entire curriculum is compressed in one year, the workload is more and the daily schedule gets busier. |
| The curriculum is highly focused on business concepts and is intensive. The rigour of the course allows an enriching academic experience in a shorter period of time. | Though it is a great opportunity for finding better jobs, it may restrict you from securing more specialised roles which require in-depth study. |
| 1 year MBA helps in career advancement. It is more concentrated on leadership, strategic thinking and networking. Therefore, it increases the chance of improved job possibilities and salary hikes. | The shorter duration of the course may lead to reduced flexibility in investigating the field and its career pathways. |
Pursuing a 1 year MBA degree has its benefits and drawbacks. If you are an experienced professional who must add the MBA qualification to surpass the stagnant growth phase of your career, this MBA format is a good choice for you. Moreover, they are suitable for preparing for leadership roles in the business. Before making the choice, thoroughly review the perks of this arrangement or seek career guidance and embark on a journey of success.
MBA done from a top ranking such as ISB, XLRI, IMT Ghaziabad, and SPJIMR can be considered the best 1 year MBA programme.
The purpose of pursuing 1 year MBA is different than usual. Thus, it depends on your individual needs and professional profile. Otherwise, for working professionals 1 year MBA is a good option.
ISB is counted among the premier institutions of the country. Therefore, acquiring a degree from ISB is totally worth it.
NIRF ranking for Management institutes is the most reliable MBA ranking in India. Apart from this, AMBA and AACSB are also prestigious accreditation international bodies for business schools.
Business analytics, information technology, finance, and marketing are the most popular and highest-paying MBA specialisations due to high demand.
