Explore Courses
Top University
Komal
15 September, 2025
Table of Contents
The Common Admission Test (CAT) has always been a hype, especially for IIMs and IITs. Lakhs of students appear for CAT exam to get admission to IIMs and other top B-Schools in India. However, have you ever thought that seats at IIMs and other CAT accepting colleges are limited? What do the rest of the candidates opt for? They prefer an MBA without CAT. Nowadays, if you are unable to crack CAT, there are many top-notch MBA options available with global recognition and prestige. Universities like Amity, NMIMS, and Symbiosis offer an MBA without CAT entrance exam.
Like IIMs, some of the colleges also include international immersions at a very affordable price. So, if you are one of the aspirants seeking an MBA course without CAT exam, the blog is for you. This blog uncovers the types of MBA courses that you can pursue without CAT. We have covered the top online, distance, and private colleges in India for MBA admissions without CAT. Dive in to learn about some additional details.
Yes, you can pursue an MBA without having to appear in the CAT entrance exam. With the advancement in digital technologies and increasing demand for flexible education, there are many possible ways of pursuing an MBA without an entrance exam. There are many universities offering admission without MBA entrance exams. All you need is a bachelor’s degree earned from a recognised institution. Scroll ahead to learn about your “MBA without CAT” options.
In India, you could pursue a full-time or full-length two-year MBA course in numerous ways. Apart from appearing in exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, or GMAT, various colleges offer an MBA course through direct admissions. Even many private colleges that accept MBA entrance exam scores provide admission under the management quota for students who are seeking direct admission to an MBA programme. Here are the popular ways to pursue an MBA without CAT entrance exam. Take a look:
You can take direct admissions to a full-length MBA without CAT exam, primarily in three ways: online MBA, distance MBA, and private MBA. Many top-ranked private universities offer MBA courses solely based on eligibility for many students. Moreover, popular universities like Amity University offer both private MBA courses as well as online MBA courses.
Additionally, central universities like IGNOU facilitate distance MBA and online MBA courses. Therefore, since top-tier universities with global recognition are offering online MBA, distance MBA, and private MBA courses, you could rest assured about the credibility of your MBA courses. We have listed the top online MBA colleges, top distance MBA colleges, and top private MBA colleges in India for MBA without CAT. Let’s explore them:
First things first, research has shown that over 60% of students in India seeking to pursue higher education after graduation are checking out online MBA courses. This is because online MBA programmes hold the same credibility as a regular MBA among employers, as approved by UGC. Moreover, online MBA colleges in India ensure flexible learning, allowing you to pursue a degree with regular live lectures and continue a full-time job to gain experience. Here are the best online colleges for MBA without CAT in India with fees. Check out:
| Online MBA Colleges | Online MBA Fees |
|---|---|
| Amity University Online | INR 1,99,000 |
| NMIMS CDOE |
INR 2,10,000 (if paid annually) INR 2,20,000 (if paid semester-wise) |
| Symbiosis School for Online & Digital Learning (SSODL) | INR 3,15,000 |
| Online Manipal University, Jaipur | INR 1,75,000 |
| Jain University Online | INR 1,96,000 – INR 3,80,000 (varies by specialisations) |
| IGNOU | INR 58,000 (online MBA) |
| ICFAI University Online | INR 2,00,000 |
| DY Patil Vidyapeeth Centre for Online Learning, Pune | INR 1,89,400 |
| LPU Online | INR 2,00,000 |
| Chandigarh University Online | INR 2,10,668 |
Distance MBAs are slightly different courses than an online MBA programme. While they are open for freshers as well, the main target audience for distance MBA programmes is working professionals. Unlike online MBA, distance MBA courses schedule only one or two classes a day for live lectures. Learners with different schedules can also skip these lectures and explore the recorded and e-learning content at their convenience. However, distance MBA programmes are also recognised by UGC and hold credibility among employers. Check out the best distance colleges for MBA without CAT in India with the fee structure:
| Distance MBA Colleges | Distance MBA Fees |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | INR 66,000 |
| Jain University Centre of Distance Education | INR 86,500 |
| Lovely Professional University Distance Education | INR 58,000 – INR 66,000 (varies by payment options) |
| Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) | INR 74,000 (PGDBA Online) |
| IMT Ghaziabad, Centre for Distance Learning | INR 1,60,000 |
| Annamalai University | INR 46,500 |
| Karnataka State Open University Distance Education | INR 65,010 |
| ICFAI Centre for Distance and Online Education |
INR 80,000 (if paid annually) INR 82,000 (if paid semester-wise) |
While an online MBA without CAT is a strong option, the campus immersions are limited. Learners who want to attend campus regularly to experience the campus buzz can consider private MBA colleges. While many top private colleges accept CAT and other MBA entrance exam scores, they also have seats reserved under the management quota. Under this method, they provide direct admission to the students based on fulfilling the minimum required eligibility. Here, we have filtered out the best private colleges for MBA without CAT in India with fees. Take a look at some of the best MBA colleges in India that offer admission without CAT exam:
| Private MBA Colleges | MBA Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Amity University Noida |
INR 7,90,000 (Non-sponsored Students) INR 11,85,000 (Sponsored Students) |
| Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune | INR 27,77,000 |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | INR 25,90,000 (require XAT/GMAT, not CAT) |
| NMIMS Mumbai | N/A |
| Sharda University |
INR 8,14,996 (if paid semester-wise) INR 8,04,997 (if paid annually) |
| Mangalyatan University | INR 2,70,000 |
| GLA University | INR 4,80,000 |
| Chandigarh University | INR 5,00,000 – INR 7,60,000 (varies by specialisations) |
| Parul University | INR 1,63,100 (MBA Finance) |
| Shoolini University | INR 3,74,000 – INR 3,95,000 (varies by specialisations) |
| Galgotias University | INR 3,38,000 (MBA Digital Marketing) |
| Manipal University Jaipur | INR 5,35,000 |
An MBA without CAT exam, whether online, distance, or private, merely requires the minimum eligibility criteria. Here it goes:
Both online and distance MBA courses follow a similar admission process. A private college MBA without CAT admission process is also quite similar. It may only differ in the fee payment mode. Here is the general admission process for the MBA without CAT exams. Take a look:
Thousands of students every year opt for an MBA without CAT. Based on their goals and requirements, they opt for online MBA, distance MBA, and private MBA courses. Similarly, you can also explore the list of top online MBA colleges, distance MBA colleges, and private MBA colleges in India. Mentioned above are UGC-approved universities with a robust MBA curriculum and acceptability among employers. Most of them, whether online, distance, or private, ensure career support and placement assistance. Make a wise decision to advance in your career swiftly.
Choosing a college for an MBA without CAT depends on your type of MBA preferences. If you are seeking an online MBA, Amity University Online, Jain Online, and Manipal Online are the top choices. IGNOU, Jain ODL, and LPU Distance Education are good for distance MBA courses. You can consider Amity University Noida, Sharda University, or Chandigarh University for a regular MBA without CAT.
Yes, the CAT exam is conducted primarily for IIMs. Other tier-1 institutions also accept CAT scores, as they showcase the aptitude of a student for MBA courses. Pursuing an MBA without CAT is also worth it because the curriculum, facilities, and placement assistance are the same for students who get admitted under the management quota. Just make sure you gain in-depth knowledge and expertise.
Absolutely not, an online MBA does not require a CAT exam score. You can enrol with just a passed bachelor’s degree with 45-50% marks.
Online MBAs are excellent for both freshers and working professionals, as they ensure regular live sessions for freshers and provide flexibility to working professionals. Distance MBA courses are generally considered a good choice for working professionals due to the lack of regular interaction. Choosing the better one depends on your goals and requirements.
Private colleges often have two types of seats. One is reserved for students who would take admission based on the entrance exam cut-offs. The others are reserved under the management quota for students seeking direct admission to a private MBA. Thus, it can be said that CAT is not mandatory for MBA in private colleges, but they do accept these scores, if available.
Our team of experts, or experienced individuals, will answer it over online meet. Book your slot now!
Book Free Online Counselling
Get Free Career Guidance
