An Executive MBA, also known as an EMBA, is a postgraduate degree program specifically curated for working and experienced professionals. It is designed to increase their business knowledge and leadership in the corporate field.
This course is shorter, compared to a regular MBA, and usually lasts 15–18 months. It follows the part-time mode of education. To be eligible for an executive MBA, students need to appear for exams like the CAT, XAT, and GMAT among others. IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Indore, IIM Bangalore, IIM Delhi, etc. offer executive MBA programs.
All about MBA:
Executive MBA fees are generally higher than for regular MBA programs, ranging from INR 10 to 40 LPA. However, with the expansion of the corporate sector, employers frequently support their employees' educational pursuits by offering financial assistance or sponsoring their education. Graduates are generally offered an INR 15 LPA and above salary after completing the Executive MBA course.
Executive MBA: Course Highlights
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | EMBA |
Course Full Form | Executive Master of Business Administration |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Course Type | Full-time/Part-time/Online |
Course Duration | 15 – 18 Months |
Admission Process | Entrance Based. |
Entrance Exams | |
Eligibility Criteria | Graduate with 2 - 5 years of work experience. |
Course Fees | INR 10 – 40 LPA |
Top Colleges | |
Average Salary in India | 15 LPA + |
Job Profiles | Chief Financial Officer, Strategy Consultant, General Manager, Senior Project Manager, Sales Director, Entrepreneur and Supply Chain Director. |
Top Recruiters | HDFC Bank, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Mahindra Group, Deloitte, and Amazon. |
More MBA Courses:
What is Executive MBA?
An executive MBA is also known as an EMBA. It is a postgraduate program for working and experienced professionals such as associates, managers, technocrats, and entrepreneurs. It is designed to increase their business knowledge and leadership in the business field.
This course is shorter, compared to a regular MBA, and usually lasts 15–18 months. It usually follows the part-time mode of education, as classes are held on weekends, evenings, or public holidays to minimize disruptions to work commitments.
As employees from diverse backgrounds and experiences interact with one another in Executive MBA, this course helps in building relationships in the business field. These relationships are pivotal to the growth of students, both personal and professional.
Why pursue Executive MBA?
- Career Growth: Working professionals who are aiming for higher leadership roles.
- Business Expertise: This course increases business knowledge and leadership by providing in-depth knowledge.
- Networking Opportunities: People from diverse backgrounds interact with one another during this course.
- Leadership: This course focuses on the leadership skills required to manage teams and organizations.
Who Should Pursue Executive MBA?
- Bachelor’s degree (BBA, BSc, BCom, etc.) with a minimum of 50–55% marks.
- Working or experienced professionals with 2–5 years of work experience.
- If one is aiming for a promotion within their organization, an EMBA gives them a strong competitive edge.
- Entrepreneurs and business owners who want to strengthen their businesses and expand their networks.
Executive MBA: Admission Process
A student should score more than 50–55% marks in their undergraduate examinations and have professional working experience to be eligible for an executive MBA. Given below are the steps for the admission process for an Executive MBA:
- Step 1 (Registration): Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents in hand. Once the form is complete, whether online or in person, the candidate will be asked to pay a minimal application fee.
- Step 2 (Entrance Examination): The candidate must clear an entrance examination such as the GMAT, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, and SNAP.
- Step 3 (Group Discussion): Group discussions are used to examine the communication skills, leadership ability, problem-solving capacity, teamwork, and decision-making abilities of the aspirants. Some topics for the group discussion round could be:
- economic inequality
- climate change
- the impact of social media
- cybersecurity threats
- space exploration
Also Read: MBA List of Group Discussion Topics Do’s & Don’t & Tips
- Step 4 (Analytical Writing Assessment): AWA is used by educational institutions to assess the writing and analytical skills of students.
- Step 5 (Personal Interview): The final round in the admission process of an EMBA helps the college or university assess whether the candidate is the right fit for the course.
Executive MBA: Eligibility
- Passed school (10th and 12th) with a minimum of 50% marks.
- Bachelor’s degree (BBA, BSc, BCom, etc) with a minimum of 50–55% marks.
- Executive MBA programs usually prefer candidates with relevant work experience.
- Aspirants have to clear entrance exams such as GMAT, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT and SNAP.
Executive MBA: Course Types
Executive MBA is offered to students in many modes that can be pursued full-time, via distance education, or online.
Executive MBA Full-time:
Regular Executive MBA courses are typically completed within a duration of 15–18 months. This program involves attending classes, fieldwork, and research projects. Full-time courses often provide a more immersive learning experience.
Some of the top executive MBA full-time colleges are listed below:
Name of the College | Location | Fees (in INR) |
Pune | INR 9.6 Lakhs | |
Delhi | INR 12 Lakhs | |
Delhi | INR 1.17 Lakhs | |
Jamshedpur | INR 21.7 Lakhs | |
Pune | INR 1.4 Lakhs |
Executive MBA Part-time:
Classes for the part-time Executive MBA are held on weekends, evenings, or public holidays to minimize disruptions to work commitments. This helps working professionals pursue their education along with their respective jobs. Usually, this course is for 15–18 months as well; however, longer durations may be granted.
Some of the top executive MBA part-time colleges are listed below:
Name of the College | Location | Fees (in INR) |
Jaipur | INR 4.3 Lakhs | |
Hyderabad | INR 5 Lakhs | |
Chennai | INR 11.10 Lakhs | |
Delhi | INR 4.5 Lakhs | |
Pune | INR 4 Lakhs |
Executive MBA Distance Education/Online:
This option is available for students who cannot pursue this course on a full-time basis. This course is for 2 years or longer. Distance learning programs utilize online platforms, study materials, and virtual interactions to deliver course content. Students can access lectures, submit assignments, and participate in discussions remotely.
Some of the top executive MBA distance education/online colleges are listed below:
Name of the College | Location | Fees (in INR) |
Pune | INR 75,000 | |
Chennai | INR 30,000 | |
Mumbai | INR 35,900 | |
Chennai | INR 10,200 | |
Mumbai | INR 5.2 Lakhs |
Executive MBA: Entrance Exams 2024
Admission into an Executive MBA program requires aspirants to sit for an entrance examination such as GMAT, CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, and SNAP. Students can go through the previous year's question papers and mock tests to prepare for the exam.
Name of the Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
21st September, 2023 | 26th November, 2023 | |
3rd December, 2023 (IBT) 5th December, 2023 (PBT) 6th December, 2023 (IBT) 28th November, 2023 (CBT) 11th December, 2023 (CBT) 14th December, 2023 (IBT) | 3rd December, 20233rd December, 2023 (CBT) 6th December, 2023 (IBT) 9th December, 2023 (IBT) 9th December, 2023 (PBT) 16th December, 2023 (CBT) 17th December, 2023 (IBT) | |
23rd November, 2023 | 10th December, 2023 17th December, 2023 22nd December, 2023 | |
1st July, 2023 - 16th December, 2023 | 1st week of January, 2024 | |
16th December, 2023 | ||
April - May, 2024 | ||
3rd Week of February, 2024 - 3rd Week of March, 2024 | 23rd March & 24th March, 2024 | |
10th October, 2023 | October 10 - December 19, 2023 | |
4th Week of December 2023 | ||
30th November, 2023 | 7th January, 2024 | |
2nd Week of December, 2023 |
Executive MBA: Entrance Exam Syllabus
Given below are the general topics included in the Entrance Exam for an Executive MBA. Students are advised to thoroughly practice each section by going through the previous year's question papers and mock tests.
Subjects | Topics |
| Arithmetic, Geometry, Number Systems, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance. |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Para-Jumbles, etc. | |
| Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Syllogisms, Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Data Sufficiency, etc. |
Data Interpretation | Data from charts, graphs, and tables. |
General Awareness
| General Knowledge, current affairs, and business-related. |
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) | Write Essays on given topics to demonstrate their analytical and writing skills. |
Executive MBA: IIM
IIM (Indian Institutes of Management) offers various Executive MBA programs tailored for experienced professionals. Here are some of the prominent IIMs and their Executive MBA programs:
Name of the College | Duration | Eligibility | Fees (in INR) |
Program: PGPX | 1 Year | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. Minimum age of 25 years. Minimum 4 years of full-time work experience. | INR 31.5 Lakhs |
Program: E-PGP | 1 Year | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. (ST/SC/OBC/PwD should have a minimum of 45% marks). Minimum 5 years of full-time work experience. | INR 23 Lakhs |
Program: MBA Ex | 1 Year | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. Minimum 5 years of full-time work experience. A valid GMAT score. | INR 23 Lakhs |
Program: PGPWE
| 2 Years | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience. | INR 11 Lakhs |
Program: EPGP | 1 Year | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. Minimum 4 years of full-time work experience. | INR 17.6 Lakhs |
Program: E-PGP | 2 Years | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience. A valid GMAT score. | INR 14 Lakhs |
Program: PGP-Ex | 1 Year | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks. Minimum 5 years of full-time work experience in India/ Minimum 1 year of full-time work experience outside India. A valid GMAT score of 500 and above/CAT score of 50% and above. | INR 22.7 Lakhs |
Executive MBA: Top Colleges
Given below is a list of the top colleges that offer Executive MBA in India along with their fees:
College/University Name | Location | Fees (in INR) |
Ahmedabad | INR 31.5 Lakhs | |
Bangalore | INR 23 Lakhs | |
Calcutta | INR 23 Lakhs | |
Kozhikode | INR 14 Lakhs | |
Indore | INR 17.6 Lakhs | |
Shillong | INR 22.7 Lakhs | |
Noida | INR 6.2 Lakhs | |
Pune | INR 4 Lakhs | |
Gurgaon | INR 4.8 Lakhs | |
Chennai | INR 11.1 Lakhs | |
Goa | INR 5 Lakhs | |
Bangalore | INR 4.5 Lakhs | |
Delhi | INR 4.5 Lakhs | |
Hyderabad | INR 4.4 Lakhs |
Further Reading: Given below are the Top MBA Colleges in India, state-wise and city-wise:
Top MBA Colleges in India (State-wise) | Top MBA Colleges in India (City-wise) |
Executive MBA: Syllabus
The syllabus for Executive MBA will vary from college to college; however, given below is an overview of the topics covered in this course:
Subject | Topics |
Ethics and Social Responsibility | Business Ethics Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainability and Environmental Management |
Leadership and Management | Organizational Behavior Leadership Development Change Management Team Dynamics and Leadership |
Strategy and Planning | Strategic Management Business Strategy Competitive Strategy Corporate Strategy Global Strategy |
Finance | Financial Management Corporate Finance Investment Analysis Financial Markets and Instruments |
Marketing | Marketing Management Digital Marketing Market Research Brand Management Sales and Distribution Management |
Operations and Supply Chain Management | Operations Management Supply Chain Management Process Improvement Logistics and Distribution |
Economics | Economics for Managers Managerial Microeconomics Managerial Macroeconomics |
Accounting and Finance | Accounting and Finance for Managers Managerial Accounting Financial Statement Analysis |
Entrepreneurship and Innovation | New Venture Creation Innovation and Design Thinking Entrepreneurial Finance Business Model Innovation |
Decision-Making and Data Analytics | Business Analytics Data-Driven Decision-Making Quantitative Methods for Decision-Making |
Detailed Syllabus and Subjects: MBA Finance
Detailed Syllabus and Subjects: MBA HR (Human Resources)
Executive MBA: Recommended Books
Given below are the names of some recognized books along with their authors in the field of Management a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course:
Book Name | Author Name |
Good to Great | Jim Collins |
The Art of Strategy | Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff |
Thinking, Fast and Slow | Daniel Kahneman |
The Innovator's Dilemma | Clayton Christensen |
Leaders Eat Last | Simon Sinek |
The Lean Startup | Eric Ries |
The Effective Executive | Peter F. Drucker |
Blue Ocean Strategy | W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne |
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team | Patrick Lencioni |
The Art of Possibility | Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander |
Executive MBA: Specializations
Most Executive MBA programs allow students to specialize their studies in specific areas of business and management. This enables them to tailor their education to their career goals and interests. Given below are some of the Executive MBA Specializations:
Executive MBA Specialization | Description |
Finance | Focuses on financial management, financial planning, investment analysis and investment banking. |
Marketing | Focuses on brand management, market research, advertising, and digital marketing |
Strategy | Focuses on strategic management, corporate strategy, and business development |
Human Resources Management | Focuses on HR roles, talent acquisition, compensation, and organizational behavior. |
Healthcare Management | Focuses on the healthcare industry, healthcare policy, hospital management, and healthcare finance. |
Information Technology Management | Focuses on IT resources, IT project management, cybersecurity, and data analytics. |
Supply Chain Management | Focuses on procurement, inventory management, and supply chain optimization. |
Entrepreneurship | Focuses on starting and growing businesses, business planning, venture capital, and innovation. |
Executive MBA vs MBA
An MBA and an Executive MBA are both valuable graduate-level degrees in the field of business and management, but they cater to different periods of one's career and have distinct qualities. Here's a comparison of both the courses:
Features | EMBA | |
Course Name | Executive Master of Business Administration | Master of Business Administration |
Overview | Designed to increase business knowledge and leadership in the corporate field. | Provides comprehensive education in areas such as finance, marketing, strategy, operations, and leadership. |
Course Level | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
Duration | 15 – 18 months | 2 Years |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50-55% marks. | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50-55% marks. |
Admission Process | Entrance Based | Merit and Entrance Based |
Average Course Fee | INR 10 – 40 LPA | INR 4 – 27 LPA |
Top Colleges | IIM Indore, IIM Bangalore, IIM Delhi | IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, FMS Delhi |
Average Salary | 15 LPA + | INR 5 – 25 LPA |
Work Experience | 5+ Years | Work Experience required. |
Executive MBA: Jobs
An Executive MBA opens a wide range of job opportunities in various fields. Graduates can apply for leadership roles, start a business of their own, or even change their field. Given below is an overview of some of the key job roles after this course:
Job Profile | Description |
Vice President | A vice president is a company's top-level supervisor who supervises department managers. |
General Manager | A general manager oversees the company's operations, including operational costs and revenues. |
Sales Executive | A Sales Executive establishes and works towards the company's annual sales targets. |
Human Resources Representative | HR professionals oversee recruiting, hiring, and talent acquisition. |
Project Manager | Project managers supervise project planning, procurement, and implementation. |
Information Technology Manager | IT Managers maintain and upgrade a company's computer networks. |
Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain Manager supervises the identification, purchase, production, and distribution of items for the company. |
Quality Control Manager | Quality Control Managers keeps an eye on the employees and the steps involved in the manufacturing process. |
Related Article: BSc Agriculture Jobs & Salary
Executive MBA: Salary
Executive MBA salary begins from 15 LPA. This can vary widely based on factors such as job role, years of experience, geographical location, company size, and industry sector. Below is a general salary overview for some key job roles after this course:
Job Profile | Salary |
Vice President | INR 30 Lakhs – 1 Crore |
General Manager | INR 15 – 40 Lakhs |
Sales Executive | INR 3 – 15 Lakhs |
Human Resources Representative | INR 3 – 10 Lakhs |
Project Manager | INR 6 – 20 Lakhs |
Information Technology Manager | INR 10 – 25 Lakhs |
Supply Chain Manager | INR 8 – 20 Lakhs |
Quality Control Manager | INR 5 – 15 Lakhs |
Must Read: MBA Finance Jobs
Executive MBA: Top Recruiters
Given below is a list of the top recruiters for Executive MBA graduates in India:
Employment Field | Top Recruiters |
Consulting Firms | McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture Strategy, Deloitte, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) |
Financial Services | Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Citibank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank |
Technology Companies | Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro |
Consumer Goods and Retail | Hindustan Unilever, Procter & Gamble, ITC Limited, Amazon India and Reliance Retail |
Healthcare and Pharmaceutical | Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare and Cipla |
Automotive | Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors and Bajaj Auto |
E-commerce | Flipkart, Ola, Swiggy, Paytm and Zomato |
Executive MBA: Skills
An executive MBA equips graduates with a diverse skill set. It combines general business management skills with specialized knowledge. Here are some of the key skills that an executive MBA equips graduates to typically acquire:
Networking | Attention to Detail |
Communication | Leadership |
Global Perspective | Data Analysis |
Marketing | Time Management |
Strategic Planning | Problem-Solving Skills |
Creativity | Legal Knowledge |
Ethical Awareness | Environment Sustainability |
Team Management | Innovation |