Top Executive MBA Colleges in India: Updated List Revealed!

According to an article published by India Today, the GMAC numbers indicate that over 19% of Indian working professionals plan to pursue an Executive MBA programme in India. And around 73% of alumni have reported that their investment in this programme was repaid with significantly higher packages and opportunities.

The Executive MBA programme is specifically designed for those professionals who hold some prior work experience in a managerial or supervisory role. As per the eligibility of the best executive MBA colleges in India, aspirants should have around 3 to 5 years of valid work experience. The course aims to equip them with adequate knowledge and skills of some of the core business functions so that they can take up higher management positions and fulfil all their responsibilities with ease.

If you are a working professional with more than 5 years of work experience, the thought of finding the right institute from the list of executive MBA colleges in India must have crossed your mind. So, let’s learn about it in depth and see the top Executive MBA colleges in India.

What is an Executive MBA?

Many of us often mix a Master of Business Administration with an Executive MBA. The EMBA programme is known to provide intense, niche-specific classes to advance knowledge and reinforce expertise. The core courses in this programme are similar to those of an MBA, which include operations management, strategic management, marketing, finance and accounting, and human resources. Since pursuing an EMBA is a significant step, it is crucial to first identify the best executive MBA colleges. If you are a senior professional with over 5 years of experience and your company wants you to have an MBA degree to receive that promotion, or you are aiming for a leadership position, an EMBA is worth it.

Let us now take a look at some of the top executive MBA colleges in India.

Top 11 Executive MBA Colleges in India

Here is the list of the top 11 executive MBA colleges in India, along with the course fees.

Also Read: Difference between Online and Executive MBA

Let’s take a look at the best executive MBA colleges in India.

1. Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)

MBA programmes offered at Indian Institutes of Technology are considered among the best management courses worldwide. Admission into the executive MBA from IITs is based on merit, and only the top-level students can get into these institutions. This one-year MBA programme, like those offered at IIT Madras, IIT Ahmedabad, or IIT Calcutta, is one of the most rewarding management degrees that offer students the perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

• ✅
  The courses are taught by the highest rated faculty and guest lectures are conducted by renowned professors from across the globe.
• ✅
  The curriculum is revised periodically to reflect changing industry trends, keeping management minds aligned with current demands.
• ✅
  The one-year programme is designed to equip learners with both strong theoretical knowledge and the skills needed to excel across industries.

2. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

Indian Institutes of Management MBA schools rank as the top premier business schools in India. Many of the IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta etc, offers a one-year full-time postgraduate programme in management for professionals (MBA-PGPX). These programmes are designed for ambitious executives who wish to actualise their career potential and become ready to shoulder more serious responsibilities in a business organisation.

In order to promote a thought-provoking study environment,

• ✅
  IIMs have adopted a case-study-based teaching pedagogy. The institute’s internationally reputed faculty use their extensive experiences to help students understand the latest industry practices and emerging trends.
• ✅
  The institutions collaborate with various universities across the globe to provide international exposure to students.
• ✅
  The programmes encourage them to think creatively and prepare for a shifting global economy.

3. University of Delhi

The Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, offers a two-year Executive MBA programme to those business leaders who are looking to adapt to the fast-changing world of digital business. The programme lays a strong conceptual foundation in all the key areas of business while also providing students with a high degree of academic flexibility.

In order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare administration, the university offers a specialisation in the domain.

• ✅
  The university organises various seminars and workshops from time to time to help students gain real-time insights from the business world.
• ✅
  The Faculty of Management Studies offers extensive study resources to all its students. Students get access to the library as well as various digital resources such as live databases and online journals.
• ✅
  Furthermore, the university has faculty of international repute. It also runs a faculty development programme in collaboration with Harvard Business School to make sure that all faculty members stay updated with the latest breakthroughs in the industry.

4. IGNOU

The Executive MBA programme offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University is specially designed keeping in mind the upskilling needs of experienced working professionals. The programme equips students with the right skills and knowledge, keeping them up-to-date with all the latest happenings in the industry.

IGNOU offers a wide array of specialisations in its EMBA programme, such as marketing, HR management, IT management, finance Management, hospitality management and many more.

In order to ensure that students make the most out of the programme,

• ✅
  The university offers extensive study materials to students. Furthermore, IGNOU has adopted an experiential learning pedagogy to help its students gain real-time insights from the industry.
• ✅
  Furthermore, the university makes use of multimedia channels such as TV, radio, internet-aided audio, online channels, etc., to maximise learning opportunities.

5. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune

The Executive MBA programme at the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management is designed to nurture young professionals for assuming leadership roles. In order to help students develop expertise in certain key functional areas of business.

The institute offers specialisations such as marketing, human resources, finance, innovation & entrepreneurship, analytics & information technology and operations & supply chain.

• ✅
  The programme imparts advanced knowledge, skills and leadership qualities among students.
• ✅
  It helps them develop expertise in their respective domains so as to enhance their earning potential and gain better career prospects.
• ✅
  The institute provides students with extensive support and study resources by giving them access to a well-furnished library and hi-tech computer labs.

6. ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad

The ICFAI Business School has adopted a case-based pedagogy for delivering its executive MBA programme. This helps in attaining a unique blend of traditional and modern modes of course delivery. It offers professionals a unique opportunity to study and prepare themselves for top leadership positions without having to give up on their jobs.

• ✅
  The course helps students gain hands-on experience of the industrial world by providing them with an opportunity to work on specific projects.
• ✅
  The project work enables students to gain comprehensive knowledge of each course and thus, enhance the effectiveness of their studies.
• ✅
  Furthermore, students get access to a world-renowned database, software and other such facilities that will empower them to expand their knowledge base and make the most out of their learning experience.

7. ISB Hyderabad

ISB Hyderabad is one of the top B-schools in the world known for its top management programme. The one-year PGP programme offered by ISB Hyderabad helps professionals to demonstrate excellence in leadership positions at top companies across the globe. The institution has triple crown accreditation – AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

• ✅
  The institute adopts a case-study-based approach, encouraging discussion-based learning in the classrooms.
• ✅
  The institution also offers other management programmes offered via various innovative means catering to diverse needs of professionals with varied durations.
• ✅
  The programme broadens the individual perspectives and hone crucial skills to prepare for future professional roles.

8. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

The Great Lakes Institute of Management offers a holistic MBA programme for executives that helps them develop competencies in core business functions. It is a rigorous and fully mentored course and is delivered through a modern, case-study-based pedagogy. The institute has set up an e-learning platform that consists of the components of group and executive coaching, team activities, 360-degree assessment, etc. In addition to this,

• ✅
  Catering to diversity in background, experiences, and perspectives of students and professionals, learners get to participate in an advanced leadership development programme that is primarily focused on allowing students to interact and learn from top industry experts and thought leaders. Furthermore,
• ✅
  Students gain an immersive learning experience by means of simulations, real-world case studies, technology-driven virtual classrooms with global connectivity and quasi-consulting for business problems.
• ✅
  Specialisations offered: Operations, finance, technology, marketing and human resources management.

9. Vinod Gupta School of Management, IIT Kharagpur

Designed for senior and mid-level executives, the Vinod Gupta School of Management started offering the EMBA programme in 2010. The course enables working professionals to upgrade their knowledge and skills without giving up on their jobs.

By bringing together individuals from diverse cultures, industries and backgrounds,

• ✅
  IIT Kharagpur EMBA programme helps students broaden their perspectives by learning from each other’s experiences.
• ✅
  This helps students gain invaluable insights into the operation of different industries.
• ✅
  It offers students many opportunities to work on real-time business problems through individual and group projects.

10. XLRI

XLRI offers the Post Graduate Diploma in Management – General Management (PGDM-GM), an advanced programme that allows working professionals to expand their knowledge base. It helps them gain the relevant skills and competencies necessary to undertake managerial roles in a business organisation. The 18-month programme adopts an accelerated format that is designed to fast-track careers for mid- to senior-level professionals unlike one-year fast paced management courses. This is a testament to the fact that the institute has adopted a modern curriculum that is on par with global standards.

• ✅
  The programme has received the accreditations of educational statutory bodies like AICTE, AMBA, and AACSB providing a holistic learning experience to students.
• ✅
  The institute has adopted a mix of case-based pedagogy along with analytics workshops, international immersion programmes, expert lectures, and industry consulting modules.
• ✅
  Specialisations offered: The programme presents an opulent blend of various aspects of business as well as general management, marketing management, managerial economics, financial management, operations research, corporate strategy and managerial ethics, etc.

11. SP Jain School of Global Management

The executive MBA programme at SP Jain School of Global Management utilises many high-tech tools to enhance students’ learning experience. During the course, students get to experience classroom-like engagement wherein they are challenged to make quick and smart decisions by means of debates, quizzes, polls, breakout sessions, etc. Furthermore, the course brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, and they get to learn from each other and gain diverse perspectives.

The course also serves as a great opportunity to build strong professional networks by making use of many modern technologies such as simulations, personalised mentorship sessions, live case studies, etc.

• ✅
  Students get to enhance many crucial skills, such as analytical abilities, decision-making abilities, critical thinking skills, etc.
• ✅
  Students also get the chance to participate in a global immersion programme, wherein they get to spend one week at SP Jain’s Dubai or Singapore campuses.
• ✅
  The immersion programme enables students to learn from international business leaders, establish a global network, cultivate global business and leadership skills, and explore new aspects of the business world.

Who Should Do an Executive MBA?

In recent years, institutions in India have witnessed a rise in admissions for Executive MBA degrees. Now, let’s see who the right candidates are for an Executive MBA and what the eligibility criteria are for this course:

• ✅
  More than 5–10 years of experience: Suppose you have more than 5 to 10 years of industry experience and are already in a management position. EMBA can be a good source for expanding your network.
• ✅
  Personal and professional growth: If you are looking for personal and professional development after years of full-time work experience.
• ✅
  Typical age range: Though not always, some universities have an age limit for their executive MBA programmes. The candidates who apply are usually over 25 years of age and can be as old as 35 years old.
• ✅
  Required work experience: In most B-schools, a minimum of five years of full-time work experience is required at the managerial level. The work experience requirement will vary in every institution; it can range from 5 to 15 years.
• ✅
  Minimum qualification: Having a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is a must.

Why Should You Do an Executive MBA?

Here are the top reasons why an Executive MBA can be good for you:

• ✅
  Adopt the new business environment and relevant skills: In the past years, the market has changed immensely. So much so that even business leaders with significant experience need to expand their perspectives.
• ✅
  Build a network of seasoned professionals: Since all the Executive MBA participants have rich industry experience, it is a great way to develop connections with professionals across various industries and borders.
• ✅
  Develop entrepreneurial skills: An Executive MBA programme is designed to master the strategic management of corporate issues and prepare leaders for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.
• ✅
  High return on investment: When you reach a senior-level position, the frequency of salary hikes decreases. Adding Executive MBA credentials to your profile will take you to a higher pay scale and bigger responsibilities. While an MBA also benefits you similarly, its curriculum may not align with your experience level.

Career Scope After an Executive MBA Degree in India

As it is not an ordinary degree like an MBA, the candidates already work in management or executive roles in their respective industries. They generally assume leadership positions only in the current organisation.

Summing Up

Executive MBA has become a popular choice for mid-senior or executive-level professionals to enhance their credentials. This highly industry-oriented course focuses on decision-making, strategic management and case studies. This programme is available in different formats, and each of the colleges mentioned above is renowned for its executive MBA degree in India. You can evaluate your profile and make an informed choice.