MBA Explained: Full Form, Types, History, Courses, Subjects, Exams, Colleges, and More

What is the craze about MBA? Why is everyone eager to pursue this degree? Well, it is difficult to explain in just a few sentences why graduates increasingly opt for MBA courses or management education. In the changing dynamics of the business sphere globally, companies have been shifting hiring trends. Solely having niche or technical skills is not enough if you want to seize a lucrative opportunity. Employers look for business understanding and management aptitude in candidates.

While your technical skills show your expertise, having the ability to manage reflects your potential to enhance the business performance. This is why recruiters prefer MBA graduates for most positions. Besides, mid-career professionals often struggle with a stagnant growth phase. An MBA degree accelerates your career growth and gets you a significant salary hike. If you are also planning to pursue an MBA degree but are in a dilemma, this blog is for you. We have started from point zero in this blog and explained everything about an MBA. So, let’s get started.

What is an MBA? From Full Form to Degree for Professionals

MBA’s full form is a Master of Business Administration. It is a two-year postgraduate degree programme offered by the most renowned institutions in the world. This degree is provided in various specialisations such as financial management, HR management, marketing management, strategic management, and many others. It prepares you for managerial and leadership roles in the business world. The MBA course curriculum is a combination of theoretical concepts and practical training.

Furthermore, it includes relevant industry exposure and enhances your skills through real-time projects. Moreover, it presents a great way to expand your industry network and accede to the corporate ladder. Owing to the prestige of this programme, it has a rigorous admission process. But have you ever wondered where it all started? When did MBA courses and management education become a popular choice for a huge population of students? Here’s a brief account of the history of MBA degrees in India.

The Evolution of MBA Programmes in India: History

The story of management education started 100 years ago. Back then, every top industrialist and businessman was an MBA graduate. After liberalisation in the 1990s, management education became extremely popular. But it stayed with a certain section of society. Gradually, some of the premier institutions came into existence which were dedicated to technical and management education. For instance, IIMs, FMS, IIFT and other such prestigious institutions lit the fire and attracted global recruiters in one place.

From the first B-school in India to XLRI and more than 20 IIMs of the current times, MBA programmes in India have expanded considerably. During the 1950s, XLRI, FMS and the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management were the forerunners in management education. They offered PG diplomas in management specifically designed for working professionals. From scepticism to the experiential-based MBA courses of the current times, India’s MBA journey has been remarkable.

So much so that an MBA has become one of the most commonly chosen postgraduate degrees today. As the country continues its journey towards achieving academic excellence, MBA degree courses stay at the forefront. Therefore, the future holds immense opportunities for aspiring MBA students and institutions. Furthermore, in this blog, we shall discuss the eligibility, admission, syllabus, and colleges offering the best MBA programmes in India. Let’s begin with:

Highlights: Explore What a Top MBA Curriculum Looks Like

MBA Courses: Discover the Modes of Management Education

Broadly, there are three modes of pursuing MBA courses: online, distance, and regular. In regular mode, you get two options, i.e. full-time and part-time. Details of the same are given below:

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  Full-time MBA: It is the traditional way of pursuing any degree. In this mode, you must attend your classes every day at the university campus. Face-to-face interaction is a must in this mode of learning.
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  Part-Time MBA: The format of a part-time MBA is less rigid compared to a full-time programme. You would attend in-person classes but they are usually held in the evenings or weekends. So, you could continue with your commitments and responsibilities on the sidelines.
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  Distance MBA: The flexibility factor is loosened here. In this mode, you do not need to visit the university campus at all. The study material would be delivered to you by post or email which you could study at your pace. However, the exams are conducted offline at the designated examination centres which are usually in the nearby region. Furthermore, for most institutions, the exams are conducted online nowadays, so you could attempt them from your home.
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  Online MBA: The most flexible mode of learning where you can attend either live sessions or recorded lectures. The credentials of an online MBA are equivalent to that of a full-time offline MBA. So you could quickly pursue your job and simultaneously complete your master’s degree.
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  Hybrid MBA: Since no one wants to give away the benefit of online learning and miss out on on-campus experience, a hybrid MBA was introduced. It is a blended mode of learning where you have to visit the campus for a few modules while the majority is done online.

MBA Eligibility Criteria: Fulfilling the Pre-requisites

Every college follows different eligibility criteria and it may vary for online and distance modes as well. Let’s take a look at the common eligibility parameters that you must fulfil.

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  You must have completed your bachelor’s degree from a UGC/AICTE/AIU-approved university in any stream.
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  The minimum marks in your undergraduate degree must be 50%. The reserved category students get 5% relaxation in minimum mark criteria.
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  Must have qualified for one of the MBA entrance exams.
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  There is no upper age limit to pursue an MBA in India. However, some entrance exams may follow age restrictions.

Here’s How to Apply to an MBA Course: Quick Steps to Admission

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  Prepare a list of prospective colleges of choice and see if they have your desired specialisation.
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  Understand the eligibility and admission procedure for every college/university you apply to.
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  Prepare for the MBA entrance exam accepted in your desired college, and appear for that exam.
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  Please note that the entrance exam is mainly required for regular MBA and not for online or distance MBA courses.
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  Fill out the college application form.
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  Upload all the necessary documents along with the entrance exam score.
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  If shortlisted, prepare for the next round of the selection process, which may include group discussion and personal interviews.
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  Receive the confirmation letter and pay the programme fee to book your seat.

Explore the General MBA Syllabus: Know Your Learnings

The coursework would be different for each because there are different specialisations in the MBA programme. Moreover, every college has a unique curriculum. So, it is also one of the distinguishing factors. Here, we have compiled a general syllabus for the MBA course. Let’s quickly explore this:

Top MBA Entrance Exams in 2025: Tentative Dates

How to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams: 11 Fresh Tips

Here are some tips to start preparing for various management entrance exams. These tips would help you prepare for the exam smartly and effectively.

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  Refer to high school-level books for grammar and English language.
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  Develop a regular reading habit.
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  Practice is the key to mastering reasoning ability.
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  Set priority topics to avoid spending more time on fewer scoring areas.
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  Try to figure out tricks to solve quantitative ability questions to minimise calculations.
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  Work on your mental maths.
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  Focus on your strengths while fixing your weaknesses.
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  Work smarter because your way of solving questions would help you.
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  Take as many online mock tests as you can.
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  Go through the previous year’s questions to understand the pattern.
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  Make a schedule with proper breaks, study time, and question paper-solving time slots.

Top 5 MBA Colleges for Regular MBA Programmes

Top 5 MBA Colleges for Online MBA Courses

Reap the Top 8 Benefits of the MBA Course

Almost everyone else is pursuing an MBA or planning to do so. What’s the craze of an MBA course? It’s the outcome and benefits you get after completing this course. So, are you also planning to take advantage of an MBA course? Let’s explore the top benefits of an MBA at a glance.

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  Networking with peers and professionals worldwide is a key aspect of the MBA curriculum. This helps in getting a broader perspective of the global market.
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  Acquire management skills, which is what recruiters these days are looking for.
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  An advanced degree in this highly competitive job market gives you increased job opportunities in multinational, national companies.
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  MBA graduates have a higher chance of a salary hike in good percentage compared to other candidates.
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  Allows you to develop empathy and a global mindset.
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  Build lifelong friendships and become a part of the strong alumni network.
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  Accelerate your career growth, which is stuck at that mid-senior level position.
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  If you wish to switch your career path, MBA gives you a smooth transition.

The Final Takeaway

As the business world evolves, the MBA course has to take a global approach to more holistic education. It is because of the growing and changing demands of businesses and students that online MBA is also on the rise. It has further increased the student participation in this field. In the end, MBA is a ticket to bigger opportunities and higher salaries.

Enrolling in an MBA could open your doors to various senior-level career prospects. With this wonderful degree, you could reach C-suite executive roles. Furthermore, its diversified specialisations allow you to choose your expertise in your desired career goals. In short, pursuing an MBA could be your road to a successful, long-term, and stable career.