The Admission Process provided below explains the common process followed across all Programs.

• Each MBA Program may have additional components for selection based on its specific requirements.
• Shortlist and Merit list for each Program is separate and independent of each other.
• Shortlist/Selection in one Program does not guarantee shortlist/selection for the other Program (for candidates who apply to multiple programs).

Stage I: Shortlisting

Applicants will be shortlisted based on valid (best scores) entrance examinations.

• CAT (Common Admission Test) 2025
• XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) 2026
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) January 1, 2021- January 31, 2026
• NMAT by GMAC™ 2025 scores, whichever is higher.

 (Applicants can submit more than one test score)

Apart from high test score, TAPMI considers the overall profile of candidates. For example, academic profile (10^th, 12^th, Graduation marks), work experience, extra-curricular achievements, achievements in sports, contribution to social activities, entrepreneurial spirit, diversity, leadership potential, integrity and values. The entrance examination cut-off may vary slightly each year across programs, depending upon the profile of applicants and the suitability of the profile to specific program(s). 

Students shall be informed about the shortlist decision on their registered email address.

Stage II: Admission Process (GD-PI)

Stage II of TAPMI admission process consists of Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT), and Personal Interview (PI).

*TAPMI makes suitable changes every year in the GD/PI process to select bright and deserving candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be informed about changes for 2026-28 admission process, if any.

Final Selection

The final selection of the candidate is based on the following:

 *As per the AICTE APH 2024-27, subject to change. Please refer to the website for details.

 Fast-Track Admits

Fast-Track Admits are an exclusive group of candidates who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and a commitment to excellence as evaluated through their application and their subsequent performance in the GD/PI. This distinguished cohort is granted priority in the TAPMI admissions process, reflecting their readiness to contribute meaningfully to the B-school community and beyond. TAPMI recognizes such individuals and has initiated a process for Fast-Track admits where few selected applicants shall receive the offer letter within 48-72 hours of their interview. 

Admission Process – NRI / NRI Sponsored Eligibility Criteria

 TAPMI also accepts applications from NRI/NRI Sponsored Candidates/Foreign Nationals/ Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) category candidates for specific programs (only). (Please contact Admissions Office for more details):

Person of Indian Origin (PIO): Shall mean the persons who are citizens of other countries (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) who at any time held an Indian passport, or who or either of his/her parents or any of his/her grandparents was a citizen of India by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution of India or Sec2(b) of Citizenship Act 1955.

Foreign Nationals: Shall mean the citizens of all countries other than India, who are not of Indian origin as defined under PIO.

Minimum Eligibility

A Graduate Degree from a recognized University with not less than 50% marks (Final year students may also apply. However, the admission shall be cancelled if they obtain less than 50% in their graduation).

Valid Entrance Exam scores

NRI Candidates: CAT / XAT / GMAT / NMAT / ATMA / CMAT / MAT

PIO / Foreign Nationals: GMAT (compulsory) and IELTS Score of 5.0 (if required).

Stage I: Shortlisting

For NRI / PIO candidates, TAPMI follows profile-based shortlisting. Profile considered for shortlisting consists of valid entrance exam scores, academic profile, work experience (type of company, total experience, etc.), extra-curricular achievements, if any.

Students will be informed of the shortlist decision through email to their registered email id.

Stage II: Admissions Process 

Same as that for Indian Domicile category

 Note:

1. All applications must be submitted online.
2. The above procedure may be changed depending on the developments that may arise.
3. Any disputes regarding the admissions to these programs are subject to the jurisdiction of Udupi only.
4. The application fee is non-refundable.
5. TAPMI uses CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT by GMAC™ scores for shortlisting the candidates. IIMs, XLRI and GMAC have no role either in the selection process or in the conduct of the program.
6. There is no “Management Quota” at TAPMI.

Selection Process - Indian Nationals

Stage I: Short-listing based on CAT/XAT/CMAT Scores

• Candidates will be short listed on the basis of their CAT 2024/ XAT 2025 / CMAT 2024 scores.
• Students will be informed on the shortlist decision through email / SMS to their registered email address and mobile number.

Stage II: Interview Process

The stage II of IRMA admissions process consists of IRMA Written Ability Test (IWAT), and Personal Interview (PI).

IRMA Written Ability Test (IWAT): Shortlisted candidates will be called for the next round of selection, where they will have to appear for a Written Ability Test on the day of their personal interview. Candidate will need to write about 200/300 words on a given topic. It is designed to evaluate a candidate's rural aptitude as well as written communication skills.

Personal Interview (PI): Candidates shortlisted for interviews with IRMA faculty will be assessed on their managerial abilities, communication skills, and suitability for the Institute's program. In view of the fact that the PGDM (RM) caters to a very specific clientele; namely organisations contributing to broad-based rural development in India, the candidate's attitude towards rural management is of particular importance.

Personal Interview will be conducted in OFFLINE mode. Candidate will be given an option for centre of Personal Interview.

Selection Process for NRI Candidate:

Candidates will be shortlisted for an Online Personal Interview (OPI) based on their GMAT (taken on or after January 2020) / CAT2024 / XAT2025 / CMAT 2024 scores for PGDM (RM) 2025-27.

Personal Interview (PI) will be conducted during 3rd week of March 2025.

Final selection will be done based on GMAT scores (taken on or after January 2020) / CAT2024 / XAT2025 / CMAT 2024 scores and PI scores. The marks obtained in the GMAT (taken on or after January 2020) / CAT2024 / XAT2025 / CMAT 2024 test and the marks obtained in PI will be reduced to the equivalent marks of 60 and 40 respectively. An overall merit list will be prepared based on the total marks obtained out of these 100 marks.

A Graduate Degree from a recognized University with not less than 50% marks (Final year students may also apply. However, the admission shall be cancelled if they obtain less than 50% in their graduation).

Foreign Nationals

• Shall mean the citizens of all countries other than India, who are not of Indian origin as defined under PIO.
• A Graduate Degree from a recognized University with not less than 50% marks (Final year students may also apply. However, the admission shall be cancelled if they obtain less than 50% in their graduation).
• Valid Entrance Exam scores

Eligibility - Indian Nationals

• A Graduate from any discipline, with a minimum of 15 years of education and 50% or above [45% or above for SC/ST/OBC (NC)/General (EWS)/PwD*] aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA at the graduation level is eligible to apply for TSU’s MBA programme(s).
• The percentage of aggregate marks is to be calculated as per the practice followed by the concerned university or institution. If the university/institution does not have a scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, TSU will establish the equivalence by dividing obtained CGPA with the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the resultant with 100.
• Candidates in the final year of the bachelor’s degree may also apply if they would furnish evidence of meeting the minimum eligibility criteria by September 2026.
• Final year candidates should have appeared in all of their graduation examinations before the start of the program (July 01, 2026). If selected, the candidates failing to meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be asked to withdraw from the programme. The Fees paid by such candidates will be forfeited unless IRMA fills their vacant seats through new admissions.
• Candidates should note that mere fulfilment of minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee consideration for shortlisting of the next admissions stage.