While the 2024 GMAC survey shows a worldwide increase in applicants to international EMBA programs, it also highlights growing numbers of Indian management education candidates applying to domestic programs. With top b-schools for Executive MBA in India growing international reputations and offering relative affordability, there's plenty to recommend India's MBA colleges for executive education.
If studying an Executive MBA in India is part of your plan to climb the career ladder, read on to explore the questions you need to consider. You'll want to take notes of key details of programs at the top b-schools for Executive MBA in India.
Executive MBA program structures
Pursuing the right Executive MBA degree program can help you gain a deep understanding of the latest business theories and practices, as well as practical insights into how to handle emerging business issues. In the case of entrepreneurs, it could help you launch or grow your own business. With a range of flexible study options, you needn’t take too much time out or away from your career
Some programs run classes and seminars over weekends or evenings or a mix of both, which could allow you to continue to work while you study.
Other executive programs are intensive, full-time courses that run over a shorter period of time than a traditional one- or two-year MBA. Some EMBA options sit somewhere in between by incorporating on-campus intensive residentials, alongside weekly classes or hybrid learning.
Whatever the program delivery looks like, the coursework is typically rigorous. Teaching methodologies emphasize practical applications, focusing on the development of sought after leadership and management skills.
Many EMBA programs also provide an extensive range of specializations to choose from. These specializations allow you to focus on building the knowledge and skills you need to rise more quickly in your chosen sector.
Common EMBA specializations include:
- ● Finance
- ● International Business
- ● Sales and Marketing
- ● Business Analytics
- ● Human Resource Management
- ● Operations Management
Executive MBA benefits and career impact
The part-time or shorter term delivery of the EMBA means you could choose to continue working while you study or take a short sabbatical. Where courses incorporate residential intensives, it may be possible to take leave. For this reason, compared to an MBA, the EMBA is often a more affordable choice.
Where Executive MBA programs are full-time, the duration is typically one year, which means less time out from earning funding yourself during your studies over a shorter term. In some instances candidates can also benefit from employer sponsorship.
It's not just the challenge that makes climbing into higher managerial positions an attractive prospect. Increased management responsibility comes with higher salary packages. According to the Executive MBA Council (EMBAC) 2022-2023 Student Exit Survey, recent Executive MBA (EMBA) program graduates reported salary and bonus packages increasing by 23.9 percent from program start to program end.
How is an EMBA different from PGPM?
The Postgraduate Program in Management (PGPM) has traditionally been similar to the regular MBA in terms of curriculum and admission criteria, but usually a one-year, full-time program.
The EMBA, on the other hand, has generally been a part-time program, designed for working professionals.
So, while there has been some overlap in the course content in the past, the EMBA and PGPM are not exactly the same.
In short, the EMBA caters for experienced executives and is often more flexible to accommodate busy schedules.
The PGPM is often tailored towards graduates with more limited work experience (perhaps 2-5 years) who are seeking an early career boost.
Is it worth the investment and how to choose the right college?
For many professionals, an EMBA can be a worthwhile investment as it can lead to significant career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and enhanced leadership and management skills.
Choosing the right program can also provide you with an opportunity to expand your professional network, develop a global perspective, or to gain the right approaches for turning your ideas into a business.
Choosing the right college for an EMBA program is also crucial for professionals who are seeking career growth and advancement. The reputation of the college plays a critical role in shaping the future prospects of the students.
How can an EMBA can boost your career?
An EMBA can provide several benefits that can significantly elevate career prospects. BusinessBecause asked a few graduates from top b-schools in India about the outcomes of their Executive MBAs.
Akshey Walia (pictured) said that the Indian School of Business Postgraduate Programme in Management for Working Professionals (PGPpro) helped him upskill and apply the learnings in his work. He graduated from the program in 2020 and now works as a group project manager at Glance (InMobi). Akshey says: “The program not only cemented my learnings and showcased immediate impact to my employers, but also fast-tracked my career trajectory and helped me pivot easily into product management, which is a highly sought-after career choice for professionals in the technology space.”
Smriti Mathur (pictured right) who graduated from ISB's Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives in 2019, is now vice-president people India and global talent advisory at Pegasystems. She says her experience at ISB "helped [her] overcome overcome cross-functional silos, allowing me to view business challenges and solutions in a more integrated manner and enabled [her] to take up global leadership roles". She says the opportunity to learn and engage with world-class global faculty with deep industry connections significantly contributed to her professional growth and development. "Furthermore, developing a network of diverse and accomplished leaders from various industries has proven to be an invaluable asset," adds Smriti.
At IIM Indore, Pinak Mengle (pictured below) says his EMBA served as a means to pivot his career. “For experienced professionals looking to pivot their careers, this is a valuable resource. I am a full-time entrepreneur now, and the program has helped me build my startup by helping me gain the skills I required.” explains Pinak, who was from the school's the Post Graduate Programme for Working Executives (PGPMX) 2021-23, and now is director at Men at Work Hospitality & Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
He says the EMBA gave him the necessary breadth and depth across a wide range of relevant topics.
"It was personally beneficial to me, as I launched my new venture last year and was able to immediately apply these learnings, because of its weekend MBA format. The course helped identify key elements during the planning and buildout phase, structure our financial plan, and establish a strong execution model.
"In particular, the social media marketing and business communication modules helped me lay a strong foundation for our initial success as a startup. Also relevant were the corporate governance, funding and financial management, and decision analysis topics, which played a pivotal role in the early stages of the venture. I firmly believe that the programme elevates your business thinking skills and enhances overall industry awareness.
Pinak says he chose to study his EMBA at a government institute because its affordability and because the courses are designed as per industry requirements. "The Executive MBA helped me grow from product manager to Chief Operating Officer of a Medical Device Company," Pinak says.
Top EMBAs in the world according to Financial Times EMBA Ranking 2024
Top Executive MBA Programs In India
ISB Executive MBA
The Indian School Business PGP in Management for Senior Executives (PGPMAX) holds the 40th position in Financial Times EMBA Ranking 2024 and is 13th in the QS EMBA Ranking 2024 for the Asia Pacific region.
The PGP MAX is for seasoned managers and experienced executives as well as entrepreneurs who have busy schedules that don’t allow them to pursue a full time MBA program. A limited number of merit-based scholarships are available.
World-class faculty members who are experts in their respective fields lead the program. The program also offers the opportunity to expand your network among a diverse and accomplished cohort of peers.
The course structure follows a modular format equivalent to a Global EMBA. If campus experience is important to you, here you will find on-campus classes held for a week, every five weeks.
Teaching prioritises real-world experiences. Expect to learn through lectures, case studies, group work, and peer discussions. There are ten modules in India and two modules in international immersion.
EMBA ISB eligibility, fees, and admission
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline.
Work experience: Over ten years of full-time work experience.
Duration: 15 Months
Fees: INR 41,78,080 ($48,265), plus taxes
IIM Bangalore Executive MBA
The Executive Postgraduate Program in Management (EPGP), is an intensive one-year full-time residential program for experienced professionals.
IIM Bangalore ranks in 48th position in the Financial Times Executive Education Custom Ranking 2024 and 59th in the Executive Education Open Ranking. The program was 96th in the Financial Times’ EMBA Ranking 2023 and took 8th position in the QS EMBA Rankings 2024 for the Asia Pacific region.
The EPGP offers a solid foundation in key management disciplines and concepts and combines core courses and electives. Students work on a live project, the Comprehensive Project, that helps apply program learnings to a real management problem or business opportunity with a contemporary topic. The International Immersion module here lasts one term.
EMBA Bangalore eligibility fees and admission
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline. A valid GMAT or CAT score.
Duration: One year.
Work Experience: Five to 12 years of full-time work experience in a wide range of industries.
Fees: INR 30,00,000 ($34,660), tuition fees and international immersion
IIM Ahmedabad Executive MBA
The IIM Ahmedabad ranks in 70th position in the FT Executive Education Custom 2024 and in 43rd in the Executive Education Open 2024.
IIM Ahmedabad’s Postgraduate Program in Management for Executives (PGPX) is for ambitious executives who want to assume high-level responsibilities and prepare for the changing global economy. Entrepreneurs also use the program as a stepping stone to launch or build on business ideas.
The program is made up of core modules, electives and a capstone project. It also offers an international immersion program.
IIM Ahmedabad’s Postgraduate Program PGPX looks to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and the mindset required to succeed as business leaders in today's competitive environment. Thanks to the case-based pedagogy, industry project courses, and strong research culture, students are challenged to think creatively and make strategic decisions that drive organizational success.
EMBA Ahmedabad eligibility fees and admission
Education: A bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline. A valid GMAT/GRE score.
Work Experience: Minimum four years of full-time work experience.
Duration: One year.
Fees: INR 33,00,000 ($38,115).
IIM Calcutta Executive MBA
Ranking in 74th position in the FT Executive Education Open Ranking 2024, IIM Calcutta's MBA for Executives Program is a one-year, full-time residential program. It could be for you if you are an executive with more than five years of professional experience and looking to step up into more senior and top level management positions.
IIM Calcutta is the first management institute in the country to be triple crowned–accredited by three major accreditation bodies, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
The IIM Calcutta MBAEx features an international immersion offer and live project element.
EMBA Calcutta eligibility fees and admission
Education: A bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline. A valid GMAT score.
Duration: One year.
Work Experience: At least five years full-time work experience.
Fees: INR 33,50,000 ($38,700).EPGP
