With the evolution of online education since the Covid pandemic, higher education has been revolutionized, allowing more individuals to earn prestigious degrees without leaving the comfort of their homes.
As a hub of business and innovation, India has witnessed a surge in the availability and popularity of Online MBA programs, the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, shared data showing student enrollment for online courses in India increased 170% in 2022.
So what are some of the best Online MBA programs in India? What are their unique features? And what benefits do they offer aspiring business leaders?
1. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)
Fees: INR 1,44,000 lakh ($1760)
Course Length: Minimum two years; maximum four years
Requirements: A degree from a recognized college or university with an average percentage of 50%. Work experience not required but recommended.
NMIMS, is a top-ranked business school in India and provides a diverse range of postgraduate management courses, including an Online MBA program designed for working professionals and recent graduates.
NMIMS programs are recognized by the UGC and the Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) of India, and students at NMIMS Global come from and move on to some of the top 8,000 corporates, small to midsize businesses, and start-ups in India and globally.
The NMIMS Online MBA has 10 specializations and is a 100% online program with 800+ hours of live lectures. The two-year program focuses on developing core management competencies such as Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, and Leadership and Strategy.
The program's flexibility allows working professionals to effectively balance their work commitments and studies. The course structure emphasizes experiential learning through case studies, group projects, and interactive sessions, to ensure students understand the business world holistically.
2. Indira Gandhi Open School (IGNOU)
Fees: INR 56,000 Lakh ($683)
Course Length: Two years, four semesters
Requirements: Passed bachelor’s degree of minimum three years duration with at least 50% marks (45% in case of candidates belonging to reserved category).
IGNOU is the biggest global Open University with 3.3 million students recorded in 2020. It offers a two-year Online MBA program accredited by the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) and UGC.
IGNOU offers two specialisms in its Online MBA program. One is a conventional, generalist MBA, while the other is a Banking and Finance MBA. The program consists of 21 courses with five mandatory subjects and one elective subject. Core subjects covered include Organizational Design, Development, and Change and Managerial Economics.
3. Amity University Online
Fees: INR 1,75,000 lakh ($2135)
Course Length: Two years, four semesters, 99 credits
Requirements: Graduation in any discipline with 40% marks in the last qualifying examination. Below 40% marks a test is conducted and, if passed, the student is eligible for admission. Applicants must possess sufficient knowledge and understanding of the English Language.
Amity University, located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is a well-known private university in northern India, approved by UGC and accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC.
Its Online MBA program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals and students seeking flexible, high-quality education.
Amity University Online has daily live classes. The program focuses on experiential learning and offers immersive learning opportunities through virtual classrooms, online simulations, and live projects with renowned companies. It also offers career assistance and exclusive virtual job fairs. Hiring partners include Deloitte, Yes Bank, and Adecco.
The university is also known for its international collaborations with Ivy League universities, for example with Harvard Business Publishing's Simulations on Real-world Scenarios.
4. ICFAI University
Fees: INR 200,000 lakh ($2438)
Course Length: Minimum two years; maximum four years
Requirements: Graduate (any discipline) with 50% and above marks from a recognized university with the medium of instruction as English. Candidates from medium of instruction other than English have to submit the TOEFL/ NELT/ IELTS score report.
ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, located in Hyderabad, is accredited with an 'A+' grade by NAAC. The university offers a variety of online courses through its Center for Distance and Online Education (CDOE).
Its Online MBA is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and conferred by UGC. With electives in Strategic Human Resource Management and Recruitment, Training, and Development, it has been specifically designed to cater to the needs of working professionals, entrepreneurs, and fresh graduates.
It offers personalized learning, with various forms of multi-format content and delivery to support your learning style and objectives.
5. Jain University
Fees: INR 70,800 lakh ($863)
Course Length: Two years
Requirements: Bachelor's degree (Minimum of three years degree program), with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% in case of SC/ST) from a recognized university. Students who are in the final year of the bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply.
Jain University is a university located in Bangalore, India. Jain University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in various disciplines, such as engineering, management, law, arts, and sciences. The university is also known for its strong research, entrepreneurship, and innovation focus.
The Jain University Online MBA has more than 30 electives to choose from, including Business Intelligence and Analytics, Project Management, and Entrepreneurship and Leadership and over 2000 hiring companies.
The education landscape in India has transformed significantly with the rise of Online MBA programs. These offer convenience and flexibility and deliver high-quality education to rival traditional on-campus degrees.
