Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA

Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA

#MBA
Arushi PanditaUpdated on 02 Sep 2025, 01:15 PM IST

As reported by Validated Insights Inc., preference for fully online MBA programmes doubled from 22% to 44% from 2018 to 2023. This trend enhances the appeal of an online MBA degree, which offers flexibility, accessibility, and convenience, making the programme a preferred choice for working professionals and students.

Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA
Is This the Future of Education? The Explosive Growth of Online MBA

There are 77 online MBA colleges in India that offer quality education and real-world insights, enabling students to secure top roles in multinational corporations. These UGC-approved colleges provide students with several online MBA specialisations, allowing them to focus on diverse management fields and enhance their expertise for better career opportunities.

While online MBA programmes offer numerous benefits, their long-term impact on employability and skill building remains a question. Success depends on return on investment (ROI), student efforts, and skill development. Popular career options after online MBA include project managers, management consultants, and marketing managers.

IBSAT 2025-ICFAI Business School MBA/PGPM 2026

IBSAT 2025-Your gateway to MBA/PGPM @ IBS Hyderabad and 8 other IBS campuses | Scholarships worth 10 CR

Symbiosis MBA - SNAP 2025

1 Exam accepted by 17 Top Symbiosis Institutes for 29 MBA programmes.

The Growing Trend of Online MBA in India

As per UGC data, online education enrolments surged by 170 percent, while open and distance learning saw a 41.7 percent rise in 2022. The data highlights the increasing popularity and acceptance of online MBA programmes in India. Approved by AICTE and UGC, online MBA programmes have gained immense credibility and have become a relevant choice for students and working professionals.

Top UGC Approved Colleges for Online MBA
Download this ebook and get all details related to the top UGC approved colleges for Online MBA.
Download List Here

Top B-schools for online MBA courses in India are provided in several disciplines. These programmes cater to students seeking quality management education. For instance, IIM Ahmedabad Online MBA includes 900 hours of classroom sessions and blended learning, enhancing credibility. Enroling in such programmes ensures authenticity, strong ROI, and valuable benefits, making an online MBA from top Indian B-schools a smart choice for career growth.

To understand the growth of online MBA courses in India, let us look at the 2023-24 UG and PG enrolments of Amity Online, and SRM University Online:

Amity Online UG and PG enrolment 2023-24

Programme LevelEnrolment (July 2023)Enrolment (January 2024)

Undergraduate Level

10,389

5,749

Postgraduate Level

15,141

10,659

SRM Online UG and PG enrolment insights 2023-24

Programme LevelEnrolment (July 2023)Enrolment (January 2024)

Undergraduate Level

681

632

Postgraduate Level

2,295

2,198

The rise of online MBA programmes reflects a variation in enrolment trends in the academic year 2023-24. Amity University Online saw UG enrolments drop from 10,389 (July 2023) to 5,749 (January 2024), while PG enrolments fell from 15,141 to 10,659. Similarly, SRM University Online UG enrolments declined from 681 to 632 and PG enrolments from 2,295 to 2,198.

Since Indian universities offer admissions to online UG and PG programmes twice a year, this decline can primarily be attributed to the biannual intake cycle, leading to variations between admission cycles rather than a drop in overall demand for online education.

Also Read: Online MBA for Working Professionals in India

Are Online MBA Courses Bridging the Skill Gap or Widening It?

As per the Press Information Bureau, India’s unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent in 2023-24 from 6 percent in 2017-18. This raises a question of whether online MBA bridges or widens the skill gap. Like traditional programmes, online MBA courses equip students with industry-relevant expertise, helping them develop in-demand management skills for career growth.

An online MBA from a top institute in India enhances management skills, but students must actively seek practical experience. Beyond institutional opportunities, they should build their brand, pursue skill-building certifications, and secure internships or placements. Students should focus on proactive efforts that help bridge the skill gap, ensuring real-world expertise and better career prospects.

SRM University, for instance, offers workshops and placement opportunities, helping students secure management roles in top multinational firms. Ultimately, the success of an online MBA in bridging the skill gap depends on both the institution’s curriculum and the student's active approach. Choosing a credible institution ensures graduates gain relevant skills and stay competitive in the job market.

With flexibility, affordability, and industry-aligned curriculum, these online MBA programmes provide valuable opportunities to students. The rapid rise of online MBA enrolment programmes in leading Indian institutions highlights the importance and growing popularity of MBA online degree courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the future of online MBA?
A:

With increasing demand for management courses, online MBA programmes have increased in popularity among professionals and graduates. The programme enhances career prospects by developing managerial skills and industry knowledge, making it valuable for professional growth.

Q: Will online MBA help me with placement assistance?
A:

Yes, several universities, such as Manipal Online and Amity Online, offer placement support, career guidance, and industry connections for better job prospects.

Q: Why choose an online MBA in 2025?
A:

Online MBA programmes will have higher acceptance, industry collaborations, and advanced learning technologies, making them a strong alternative to traditional MBA.

Q: Do companies accept online MBA programmes?
A:

Companies such as TCS, and Infosys accept online MBA from recognised institutions, focusing on skills and experience rather than the mode of education.

Q: Is there any value of online MBA in India?
A:

UGC-approved online MBA holds value in India, offering flexibility and skill development opportunities to students, making them beneficial for career advancement in various industries.

Upcoming Exams
Certifications By Top Providers
Introduction to Managerial Economics
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Fundamental Concepts of Electricity
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 3320 courses
Edx
 1992 courses
Swayam
 1936 courses
Coursera
 1660 courses
NPTEL
 1258 courses
Futurelearn
 1074 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello,

There is no official integrated MBA + LL.B course offered in India. The Bar Council of India (BCI) has not approved any such integrated program.

Students who want to study both management and law can choose the approved BBA LL.B (Hons) or BA LL.B (Hons) integrated courses after completing 10+2. These are 5-year programs that combine subjects from business administration and law.

After completing an LL.B or an integrated law course, students can later pursue an MBA separately to gain advanced management knowledge.

In short, there is no direct MBA + LL.B integrated course , but students can do BBA LL.B first and then pursue MBA for a similar combination of legal and management skills.

Hope it helps !

Hello,

For the DU SOL MBA first semester exam, you can study from these materials:

  1. DU SOL Study Material:
    Download or collect the official study material from the DU SOL website or your study center. It covers all the topics in the syllabus.

  2. Recommended Books:
    Use the books suggested in the syllabus or by your teachers. Authors like Philip Kotler (for Marketing) and Stephen P. Robbins (for Management) are good.

  3. Previous Year Question Papers:
    Solve past papers to understand the exam pattern and important topics.

  4. Notes and Summaries:
    Make short notes from your study material for quick revision before the exam.

  5. Online Sources:
    Watch YouTube lectures or read free notes from trusted educational sites for better understanding.

These materials are enough to prepare well for your MBA 1st semester exam.

Hope it helps !

Yes, you can apply for an online MBA even with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and 29 years of work experience. Many universities offering online MBA programs consider professional experience and diploma qualifications for admission, especially if you have significant industry exposure. However, eligibility may vary depending on the institution. Some universities may require a bachelor’s degree, while others accept diploma holders with long professional experience. It’s best to check the specific eligibility criteria of the university you’re interested in before applying.

Hello,

To get an MBA, you typically need to have a bachelor's degree and work experience, though this is often not required for integrated programs. The next step is to take a relevant entrance exam like CAT, XAT, NMAT, or GMAT, and then apply to the business schools of your choice. The final stages usually involve a Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) before a final admission decision is made.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

The better PG course depends on your career goals: choose an MCA if you want a career focused on technology, like coding, software development, and technical roles. Opt for an MBA (IT) if you are interested in management, leadership, strategy, and business aspects of the IT sector.

I hope it will clear your query!!