Top Executive MBA Programs in India in 2025

There are many Executive MBA programs offered in India by various top business schools. The best Executive MBA program for you would depend on your individual needs and preferences, such as your career goals, budget, location, and schedule.

Here are some of the top Executive MBA programs in India:

1. Indian School of Business (ISB) - Hyderabad and Mohali

2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode.

3. FMS Executive MBA

4. XLRI

5. SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai

6. Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

7. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

8. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai

9. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune

10. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi and Kolkata

    
    

Apart from these there are many Executive MBA programs without the GMAT as well which one can apply to in 2025.

These Executive MBA programs offer a range of specializations and formats, including online and hybrid programs, and are highly regarded in the industry. It's recommended to do thorough research on each program and consider factors like curriculum, faculty, placement opportunities, and alumni network before making a decision.

1. Indian School of Business - ISB Executive MBA

ISB Executive MBA in India

The ISB Executive MBA in India is meant for Working Professionals. There are two programs to choose from - ISB PGPpro and ISB PGPMAX.

ISB PGPpro is an exclusive Weekend Executive MBA equivalent Program for Working Professionals having at least 5 years of work experience.

ISB PGPpro is the ISB Executive MBA in India combines methodical learning with the right format of alternating weekend classes. Intended for mid-career professionals, the program makes available the most important in Strategy and Leadership with a choice to either Finance or Marketing.

• Duration of ISB PGPpro – 18 months (Alternating Weekend Classes and Online Classes)

• ISB PGPpro is offered in Delhi (NCR)/ Bengaluru/Hyderabad/Mumbai.

ISB PGPMAX Executive MBA :

The ISB PGPMAX Executive MBA in India from ISB is predestined for experienced working professionals. This powerful program aims at career development, better strategic vision, in addition to sharpening your management abilities and leadership skills.

A lot of qualified professionals are facing a mid-career crisis and have attained a point in their profession where they feel they’ve arrived at saturation in the existing role. At this moment, they recognize that they require a little superior business knowledge to deal with bigger responsibilities, get a hold of innovative perspectives to find solutions to accessible problems and manage more multifaceted situations in a methodical and well thought-out manner. A part-time program the ISB PGPMAX Executive goes well with their needs, at the same time as they can keep on working whilst following their MBA program.

ISB PGPMAX is a 15 months MBA program for senior professionals with atleast 10 years of work experience. ISB PGPMAX is ranked worldwide as 44th in the FT ranking 2022 for EMBA programs.

ISB PGPMAX vs Global Executive MBA Programs

ISB PGPMAX vs Stanford MSx

Feature	ISB PGPMAX	Stanford MSx
Program Type	Executive MBA (Post Graduate Certificate)	Full-time Master of Science in Management
Institution	Indian School of Business (ISB)	Stanford Graduate School of Business
Duration	15 months	12 months
Location	Hyderabad & Mohali (India) + 2 global immersions	Stanford GSB campus, California
Format	Modular (1 week every 5 weeks)	Full-time residential
Target Audience	Senior professionals with 10+ years experience	Mid-to-senior professionals with 8+ years experience
Average Work Experience	~16 years	~14 years
Global Exposure	2 international immersions	Strong global exposure via classmates and curriculum
Degree Awarded	Post Graduate Certificate	Master of Science in Management
Curriculum Focus	Strategy, Innovation, Leadership, Governance	Leadership, Strategy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Class Size	~70–100	~90
Admission Requirements	Bachelor's + 10 yrs work exp. + Essays/Interview	Bachelor's + 8+ yrs work exp. + Resume, Essays, Interview
Cost (approx.)	₹43.9 lakhs + GST (~USD 53K)	~USD 143,000
Alumni Network	16,000+ ISB alumni	33,000+ GSB alumni
Placement Support	No formal placement; executive coaching/network	Career services, leadership coaching, alumni network support

ISB PGPMAX vs Wharton EMBA Global Cohort

Feature	ISB PGPMAX	Wharton EMBA Global Cohort
Program Type	Executive MBA (Post Graduate Certificate)	Executive MBA (MBA degree)
Institution	Indian School of Business (ISB)	Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Duration	15 months	22 months
Location	India + 2 global immersions	Philadelphia, San Francisco, Global sites
Format	Modular (1 week every 5 weeks)	Alternate weekends + global residencies
Target Audience	Senior professionals with 10+ years experience	Senior executives, global managers (avg. 12 years exp.)
Global Exposure	2 international immersions	4 global residencies across 4 continents
Degree Awarded	Post Graduate Certificate	MBA degree
Curriculum Focus	Strategy, Innovation, Leadership, Governance	Core MBA with electives, analytics, leadership
Admission Requirements	Bachelor's + 10 yrs work exp.	Bachelor's + significant experience + GMAT/EA optional
Cost (approx.)	₹43.9 lakhs + GST (~USD 53K)	~USD 224,640
Alumni Network	16,000+ ISB alumni	104,000+ Wharton alumni
Placement Support	Career coaching, no formal placement	Career management, coaching, alumni job board

ISB PGPMAX vs MIT Sloan Fellows MBA (SFMBA)

Feature	ISB PGPMAX	MIT Sloan Fellows MBA (SFMBA)
Program Type	Executive MBA (Post Graduate Certificate)	Full-time MBA for mid-career leaders
Institution	Indian School of Business (ISB)	MIT Sloan School of Management
Duration	15 months	12 months
Location	India + global immersion	MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Format	Modular	Full-time residential
Target Audience	Senior professionals (10+ yrs experience)	Professionals with 10–20+ years experience
Global Exposure	2 international immersions	Global labs, exchange, international diversity
Degree Awarded	Post Graduate Certificate	MBA degree (Sloan Fellows MBA)
Curriculum Focus	Strategy, Innovation, Leadership, Governance	Innovation, global leadership, analytics, entrepreneurship
Admission Requirements	Bachelor’s + 10 yrs experience + essays/interview	Bachelor’s + significant experience + GMAT optional
Cost (approx.)	₹43.9 lakhs + GST (~USD 53K)	~USD 147,000
Alumni Network	16,000+ ISB alumni	MIT Sloan alumni + Sloan Fellows Network
Placement Support	Executive coaching, alumni access	MIT Career Development Office support

ISB PGPMAX vs LBS Sloan Masters

Feature	ISB PGPMAX	LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy
Program Type	Executive MBA (Post Graduate Certificate)	Master’s degree (MSc) in Leadership and Strategy
Institution	Indian School of Business (ISB)	London Business School (LBS)
Duration	15 months	12 months
Location	India + global immersion	London, UK
Format	Modular	Full-time residential
Target Audience	Senior professionals (10+ yrs experience)	Senior executives (min. 12 years experience)
Degree Awarded	Post Graduate Certificate	MSc from University of London
Curriculum Focus	Strategy, Innovation, Leadership, Governance	Strategic leadership, transformation, economics
Admission Requirements	Bachelor’s + 10 yrs experience	Bachelor’s + senior leadership track
Cost (approx.)	₹43.9 lakhs + GST (~USD 53K)	~GBP 87,900 (~USD 110,000)
Alumni Network	16,000+ ISB alumni	51,000+ LBS alumni across 160 countries
Placement Support	Career coaching, alumni access	Career coaching, alumni network, employer connections

2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and other locations

IIMs offer Executive MBA programs which are both part time and full time. The full time IIM Executive MBA programs are one year in duration. The application process requires a minimum of 3-5 years of work experience and the submission of a test score like the GMAT or the GRE.

The part time Executive MBA programs by the IIM are also available.

IIM Indore PGPMX – Mumbai Campus

Feature	Details
Program Name	PGPMX (Post Graduate Program in Management for Working Executives)
Location	IIM Indore Mumbai Campus
Duration	24 months (Weekend Format)
Class Schedule	Alternate weekends: Saturday (2 pm – 9 pm), Sunday (9 am – 4:30 pm)
Eligibility	Bachelor's degree + Minimum 5 years of work experience
Degree Awarded	Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Executive)
Curriculum Highlights	Core + Electives in General Management, Leadership, Finance
Fee (2025–27)	₹17.6 Lakhs + GST
Pedagogy	Classroom sessions, case studies, simulations
Admissions Process	Online application + Personal Interview
Ideal For	Mid-level professionals in Mumbai

IIM Bangalore PGPEM

Feature	Details
Program Name	PGPEM (Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management)
Location	IIM Bangalore
Duration	24 months (Weekend Residential)
Class Schedule	Friday afternoons + full-day Saturday
Eligibility	Bachelor's degree + Minimum 3 years of work experience
Degree Awarded	MBA Degree
Curriculum Highlights	Core + Electives, International Immersion, Industry Projects
Fee (2025–27)	₹24 Lakhs (approx.)
Pedagogy	Case studies, simulations, experiential learning
Admissions Process	CAT/GMAT/GRE/IIMB test + Interview
Ideal For	Professionals in Bangalore wanting to transition to leadership roles

IIM Ahmedabad BPGP (Blended MBA)

Feature	Details
Program Name	BPGP (Blended Post Graduate Programme in Management)
Location	Online + Campus Modules (IIM Ahmedabad)
Duration	24 months (Blended format)
Class Schedule	Online sessions + Campus visits every few months
Eligibility	Bachelor's degree + Minimum 3 years of work experience
Degree Awarded	MBA Degree
Curriculum Highlights	General Management, Electives, Capstone Project
Fee (2025–27)	₹25 Lakhs (approx.)
Pedagogy	Online + Offline, peer learning, case studies
Admissions Process	Test Score (CAT/GMAT/GMAT Focus/IIMA test) + Interview
Ideal For	Mid-career professionals seeking IIMA credential without relocating

IIM Kozhikode EPGP (Interactive Learning)

Feature	Details
Program Name	EPGP (Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management)
Location	Online via satellite + Campus modules
Duration	2 years (Interactive Learning + In-campus)
Class Schedule	Evenings and weekends (Live online)
Eligibility	Bachelor's + Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience
Degree Awarded	MBA Degree
Curriculum Highlights	Core + Electives + Capstone Project
Fee (2025–27)	₹14 Lakhs + GST
Pedagogy	Interactive online + 3 in-campus modules
Admissions Process	Application + IIMK Admission Test or CAT/GMAT + Interview
Ideal For	Pan-India professionals preferring online learning

IIM Lucknow PGPWE (Noida Campus)

Feature	Details
Program Name	PGPWE (Post Graduate Programme in Management for Working Executives)
Location	IIM Lucknow Noida Campus
Duration	24 months (Hybrid Weekend Format)
Class Schedule	Alternate weekends (Online + In-person)
Eligibility	Bachelor's + Minimum 3 years of experience
Degree Awarded	MBA Degree
Curriculum Highlights	Core + Electives, Industry Interface, Capstone
Fee (2025–27)	₹14.3 Lakhs + GST
Pedagogy	Hybrid: On-campus + Online + International immersion
Admissions Process	IIML Test or CAT/GMAT + PI
Ideal For	Professionals around Delhi NCR looking for leadership roles

3. XLRI - Xavier School of Management Executive MBA

The Online Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management is a two-year program that provides and the total fee for the program is Rs. 14 lakhs. Applicants with a bachelor's degree can apply.

4. SPJIMR Executive MBA - Post Graduate Executive Management Programme (PGEMP)

The 21-month modular Executive MBA program is designed for professionals with at least five years of work experience who wish to pursue formal management education without interrupting their careers. With five cohorts admitted each year, the program has successfully enrolled more than 90 batches. The selection process, which includes a Test of Reasoning, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview, takes about half a day. Additionally, the program also accepts Executive Assessment (EA) test scores. Applicants with valid EA scores can bypass the Test of Reasoning component in the selection process.

5. MDI Executive MBA - Post Graduate Diploma in Management

The program has since been renamed the 18-month Post Graduate Diploma in Management - Business Management. Applicants must have completed a minimum of three years of Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.

Applicants must also have a minimum of five years of executive work experience post-qualification as of March 31, 2023. The deadline for submission of application is April 10, 2023.

6. Great Lakes Executive MBA - PGXPM

The PGXPM program has a duration of 20 months and is structured into seven terms, each lasting three months. Each term commences with a 7.5-day residency during which the participants cover four courses, each spanning 15 hours.

The program comprises about 545 in-class contact hours, with 20% delivered through blended learning and the remaining 80% in traditional classroom settings. Participants are also required to dedicate equivalent hours to self-study.

In the second year of the course, participants must undertake a project. To be eligible for admission, candidates must have a minimum of eight years of full-time work experience and must have taken one of the following: CAT*, XAT+, EA by GMAC, equivalent aptitude tests, or Great Lakes Aptitude Test.

7. NMIMS Executive MBA

The program offers a high degree of flexibility, giving students the option to complete it within a time frame of 15 to 36 months, depending on their preferences.

Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in an executive or supervisory capacity as of the date of their written test or personal interview to be eligible for admission.

8. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management - SIBM Executive MBA

The Executive MBA program at SIBM Pune is conducted on weekends. Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience. The program admits 60 students, and the approximate fee is INR 6.70 lakhs.

9. International Management Institute (IMI) - PGDM Executive MBA

The program is designed for candidates with more than 5 years of experience and offers two options - a 15-month program comprising 12 months of coursework followed by a 3-month project at the candidate's place of employment, or a full-time residential program of 12 months of coursework followed by a 6-month project at the workplace. The program guarantees 100% placement support to all its graduates. Candidates need to submit their CAT/ GMAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ ATMA test scores to be eligible for admission.

10. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi and Kolkata - Weekend MBA

The MBA (International Business) programme at IIFT is now available as a weekend course, providing working professionals with the opportunity to enroll in the Institute's well-established MBA (IB) programme. The course content is the same as the day programme, offering a comprehensive education to those who are unable to attend full-time.

The weekend programme spans over nine trimesters, covering a total of three years. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or Institution and have at least three years of work experience in a managerial role after graduation, as of June 30th of the year the course begins.

Admission to the programme is through a Group Discussion, Essay Writing and Interview, which takes place at IIFT Campus, New Delhi. Upon completion of the programme, students can benefit from 100% placement support.

Full time MBA versus Executive MBA: Which is Better?

The main difference between an MBA and an Executive MBA is the level of engagement in the graduate school understanding and the customization of classes towards a more knowledgeable group of individuals.

Full-time MBA students have rigorous schedules (full-day), making it hard to keep up a job outside the program.

On the other hand, Executive MBA students maintain their permanent jobs and by and large attend classes on Fridays and the weekends; nevertheless, this can lead to less interaction on school grounds.

Does Executive MBA help in India?

There are lots of courses and educational disciplines which allow individuals to search out good job and salary subsequently. Apart from getting good jobs, the working professionals want regular up gradation as regards innovative management principles. An executive MBA is premeditated to facilitate working professionals gain a competitive edge.

Which executive MBA is best in India?

Deciding which Executive MBA program is the best in India can be a challenging task as there are many factors to consider. Here are some steps that can help in making an informed decision:

1. Identify your goals: First, determine what you want to achieve from an Executive MBA program.

2. Research: Conduct research on various Executive MBA programs in India. Look at their curriculum, faculty, reputation, accreditation, student profile, location, and alumni network. You can check out online rankings, read reviews, and visit program websites to gather information. You can also approach an experienced MBA admission consultant at GOALisB for a profile evaluation.

3. Attend information sessions: Attend information sessions or webinars organized by the schools to learn more about the program.

4. Consider cost: Executive MBA programs can be expensive. Consider the cost of tuition, travel, accommodation, and other expenses.

5. Compare and make a decision: Once you have gathered all the necessary information, compare the programs based on your goals, budget, and preferences. Finally, make a decision based on your research and personal preferences.

When to apply for executive MBA?

The application process for Executive MBA programs varies depending on the school, but it typically involves several steps, and the timeline can vary depending on the program's start date. Here are some general guidelines on when to apply for an Executive MBA:

1. Research early: Researching and identifying potential programs well in advance is essential. This can give you enough time to gather all the necessary information and prepare for the application process.

2. Check deadlines: Check the application deadlines for each program you are interested in. Deadlines may vary depending on the program's start date, and some programs may have multiple rounds of admissions.

3. Plan ahead: Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to complete the application. The application process for Executive MBA programs may involve several steps, including standardized tests, essays, recommendations, and interviews.

4. Consider work commitments: Since Executive MBA programs are designed for working professionals, you will need to consider your work commitments and ensure that you can balance your workload while pursuing the program.

In general, it is recommended to start the application process at least six to eight months before the program's start date. This will give you enough time to prepare and complete the application process without rushing. However, it's always a good idea to check with the specific program you are interested in for their application timeline and deadlines.

Why executive MBA is important?

We have also addressed the need of why Executive MBA is important in the Forbes article authored by our mentor Shruti P about the aspects which are important in deciding to pursue an Executive MBA.

Still not sure which program you should apply to? Get in touch with an expert at GOALisB who can help in the school shortlisting, career planning and the application process. Whatsapp at +91 7719497187 or email at contact@goalisb.com.