IFMR Graduate School of Business MBA Admissions 2026
Application Deadline 15th Jan’26 | UGC Approved Programs | Near 100% Placement Record | Up to 100% Scholarships | Highest CTC 21.32 LPA
With the rise of online learning transforming the education system in India, the future of an online MBA seems bright. The online MBA degree programme has become a popular choice among graduates and working professionals for the flexibility they offer. By pursuing an online MBA degree, participants do not only acquire in-demand skills, but also enhance their career prospects.
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The global preference for online MBA has saw a increase by 2 percent from 4 percent in 2023 to 6 percent in 2024, according to GMAC Prospective Students Survey 2025. This reflects working professionals or learners with busy schedules prefer a balance between their career and academic advancement.
Online MBA programmes provide various advantages to learners such as global networking, accessibility, quality education, and cost effectiveness. Anyone with a bachelor’s degree can enrol in the programme and take their careers to the next level without disrupting their current jobs or personal commitments.
The key trends shaping the future of online MBA in India are as follows:
AI-Driven Learning: With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life, it offers a personalised learning experience. AI can analyse the individual’s learning performance, and based on the progress, it will provide the course content. It will also help candidates to focus on their weaknesses.
Blockchain for Certification: With the help of blockchain technology, we can ensure the security and authenticity of an online MBA degree. The employer approves such a degree and gives it preference.
Global Faculty: Students will get the opportunity to learn from experienced faculty across the world. An online MBA degree provides diversity and global relevance. Also, students can find opportunities in the global market.
Gamified Learning: Gamification helps make learning more interactive, enjoyable and interesting. It helps in enhancing the engagement of graduates through quizzes, competitions, debates, leader boards and rewards.
Industry Projects: Industry projects give hands-on experience to graduates and help them solve real-life problems. It will make students future-ready.
Hybrid Learning Models: A hybrid learning model will help students gain exposure to online and offline learning. They will get opportunities to interact with peers and enhance networking opportunities.
Focus on Soft Skills: Along with the technical and management skills, an online MBA degree provides various soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Preference for flexible and blended/hybrid programmes has decreased below pre-pandemic levels.
Preferred Delivery Format for Global Candidates (2019–2024)
| Year | Full-Time In-Person | Part-Time In-Person | Hybrid/ Blended | Flexible | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 76% | 5% | 9% | 7% | 3% |
2020 | 74% | 4% | 13% | 6% | 3% |
2021 | 70% | 4% | 16% | 6% | 4% |
2022 | 70% | 4% | 12% | 8% | 5% |
2023 | 68% | 4% | 14% | 10% | 4% |
2024 | 73% | 9% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
Explore: Online MBA Demand Grows, Interest in Blended Format Falls
Online MBA courses in India are offered by UGC-recognised universities. The UGC-approval makes an online MBA a valuable programme in the job market. Here are some factors of why online MBA is gaining popularity:
Learner-Centric Curriculum: An online MBA course curriculum is learner-centric. The course structure is designed in a way that it fulfils the needs of diverse learners and is easily accessible to everyone.
Affordable Options: An online MBA is more affordable than traditional programmes. It saves costs on commuting and campus facilities.
Global Networking: Online MBA caters to faculty and students from across the world, enabling global peer learning. Students can also enhance their networking at the international level, helping them find opportunities in the global market.
Interactive Tools: An online MBA is delivered through various interactive tools. Students can join online MBA classes via live interactive sessions and access recorded videos. They can also contact peers and faculty and discuss with them via live Q&A sessions, group assignments, discussion forums, and workshops.
Skill-Focused Learning: An online MBA provides industry-focused skills and knowledge to students. It equips them with a variety of skills such as management, decision-making, data analytics, critical thinking, and leadership.
Career Advancement: Enrolling in an online MBA course enhances learners’ career in their desired fields. Students can choose from different online MBA specialisations and progress their career in the same.
An online MBA degree is offered in different specialisations that students can choose from based on their area of interest. Some of the popular online MBA specialisations are as follows.
An online MBA course has a promising future in India. It offers quality education and enables students and working professionals to easily attend live sessions or watch recorded lectures at their own pace and convenience. With the popularity of online MBA increasing, it will be a wise investment for professional growth in 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In India, the online MBA degree programme is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which makes the degree credible and valuable in the job market.
An Online MBA holds the same value as that of a regular MBA course in terms of course curriculum and outcome. As online MBA offers flexibility, it is most preferred by working professionals.
An online MBA provides various specialisations. Some of the popular online MBA specialisations are finance, marketing, human resources, data analytics, and entrepreneurship.
Yes, recruiters and MNCs accept UGC-accredited online MBA. The accreditation also makes the programme valid in the international job market.
Yes, online MBA in India is recognised by UGC. Many foreign universities accept Indian online MBAs.
Yes, an online MBA opens room for various career opportunities. It helps participants pursue managerial or leadership roles, with salary hikes and promotions at work. Candidates can even start their own business or pursue entrepreneurial careers.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
The MBA finance course teaches a student about the principles of financial management, accounting, investment analysis, etc. One can get into banking, insurance, MNCs, etc, industries.
The CBSMS offers a 2 year MBA program, having both full time and part time options. It has a seat capacity of 180
Yes the application for MBA cet is started and application form is live now
with this percentile, you can get into tier 2 or tier 3 college, the list of the few notable college is given below-
1) FLAME university, Pune
2) AIMS institute, Bangalore
3) Doon business school, Dehradun
4) Christ university, Bangalore
5) NIT Trichy
6) KIIT school of management, Bhuvneshwar
Hello,
With a 68 percentile, you still have several good MBA options available, especially among Tier-2, Tier-3, and reputed private management institutes.
Colleges such as Amity University, ICFAI Business School (IBS), UPES Dehradun, Alliance University, Jain University, Kristu Jayanti College, ITM Business School, IPE Hyderabad, Indira Institute of Management, and
Hello,
Here are Top MBA/PGDM Colleges Under 10 Lakhs:
For
Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.
Among top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026
Last Date to Apply: 10th Jan | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
Highest Package 27.25 LPA | Top 100 Average package 16.65 LPA | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 52 by QS International
Phase 02 Applications Window Closing on 23rd January 2026 | 100% Placement Record | Average CTC 12.75 LPA | Highest CTC 40.31 LPA | Median CTC 12.49 LPA
NAAC A+ Accredited | Among top 2% Universities Globally (QS World University Rankings 2026)