Online MBA Admission Trends in 2025: What Aspirants Should Know

Online MBA Admission Trends in 2025: What Aspirants Should Know

#MBA
Arushi PanditaUpdated on 10 Sep 2025, 11:25 AM IST

Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including science and humanities, enrol in online MBA programmes. UGC-approved universities in India offering online MBA have had more than 5 lakh intake capacity, with around 49,000 enrolments, in the last three years. The number has been continuously rising since then. An online MBA degree provides the same management education as traditional MBA.

This Story also Contains

  1. Admission Trends at Online MBA Colleges in India
  2. Online MBA Passing Rate
  3. Why Intake and Enrolment Numbers Differ in Online MBA Colleges in India?
Online MBA Admission Trends in 2025: What Aspirants Should Know
Online MBA Admission Intake And Enrolment Details

Online MBA focuses on enhancing students' knowledge of business and management principles, equipping them with analytical, leadership, and strategic capabilities for career growth. Popular career options after an Online MBA include management consultants, database administrators, and human resource managers.

Top online MBA colleges in India utilise learning management system (LMS) through which students can attend live lectures and gain access to course resources. As enrolments continue to grow, online MBA courses are changing the stereotypical notion of online education in India.

Admission Trends at Online MBA Colleges in India

Admission intake and enrolment capacity are two vital aspects to understand any programme's popularity. Intake capacity refers to the total number of seats a university offers for its online MBA course, while enrolment numbers indicate how many students have registered for the programme.

The table below highlights the intake and enrolment numbers in the top universities offering online MBA courses in India:


The data highlighted in the table showcases that universities with increased digital learning infrastructure witness higher student enrollment. For instance, Dr D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, has a total intake capacity of 21,000, of which 16,000 students enrolled for the online MBA programme.

Moreover, it indicates that universities that align their curriculum with market needs, enhance digital learning tools, and strengthen practical learning with industry collaborations have higher intake and enrolment figures. Ultimately, the growing enrolment numbers rely on how effectively an institution meets students’ evolving digital needs within their online MBA coursework.

Also Read: Online MBA Scholarships and Financial Aid - Here’s What You Need to Know!

Online MBA Passing Rate

The following table highlights the enrolments, and passing percentage for top online MBA colleges in India for the July 2023 session:

Online MBA CollegeEnrolmentPassing Percentage

Amity Online

13,304

77%

SRM Online

1679

100%

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research

10

100%

Vivekananda Global University Online

189

96%

Manav Rachna University Online

102

94%

LPU Online

1,398

87%

UPES Online

590

88.6%

Vignan’s Online

485

71%

Why Intake and Enrolment Numbers Differ in Online MBA Colleges in India?

Intake capacity and enrolment numbers in online MBA programmes BIRLAvary across Indian universities. While some attract higher enrolments with market-relevant courses and flexible learning, others face limitations due to technical and infrastructural constraints. The following points highlight key reasons for these differences among top online MBA colleges in India.

Industry Reputation: Universities with a strong brand and industry reputation attract more students, while lesser-known institutions may struggle with enrolment. For example, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence Deemed to Be University enrolled only 35 students out of its 100-seat capacity, as shown in the table.

Accreditation Awareness: Many students hesitate to enrol in online programmes due to uncertainty about UGC accreditation and quality assurance. The fear of obtaining a degree from an unaccredited institution raises concerns about its acceptance and approval, thus impacting the enrolment capacity of online MBA programmes.

Programme Offerings: Universities offering specialised online MBA programmes such as Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, and AI, along with robust digital learning platforms, attract higher enrolments. In contrast, institutions with limited programme options see lower intake.

Admission Policies & Selection Criteria: The main difference between MBA and online MBA admissions is the selection criteria. Traditional MBA programmes require entrance exam scores (CAT, GMAT, XAT, GRE) and work experience, while an online MBA accepts candidates with a bachelor's degree and work experience, resulting in varying enrolment trends between full-time and part-time MBA courses.

Technical Barriers: Lack of digital literacy, and limited access to high-speed internet, along with inadequate technical infrastructure hinder students from enroling in online MBA programmes. Many aspirants especially from rural areas struggle with unstable connectivity, making it difficult to attend live classes.

Also Explore: Top 8 Online MBA University in India

The success of online MBA programmes is not determined by intake and enrolment capacity alone but by curriculum quality and industry relevance. Universities that provide strong programme benefits and a student-centric learning experience tend to attract higher enrolments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which colleges in India offer online MBA programmes?
A:

Universities in India such as Amity Online, Online Manipal, and LPU Online offer online MBA programmes.

Q: Is an online MBA valid in India?
A:

Yes, online MBA programmes are valid in India as it is offered by UGC-approved universities.

Q: Is attendance compulsory for online MBA courses in India?
A:

While it is not always mandatory, some online MBA colleges in India require candidates to have at least 75 per cent attendance to be able to receive a final degree certificate.

Q: What are the key online MBA admission trends in 2025?
A:

The key trends in online MBA admissions include a rise in immersive learning experience, personalised learning, access to global peer networking and and industry connections.

Q: Which online MBA is in most demand in 2025?
A:

Online MBA courses such as data science, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing are the specialisations that are in most demand in 2025.

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Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello, the MBA in Finance at Andhra Mahila School of Informatics is a 2 year program where you’ll study subjects like accounting, financial management, and strategy along with projects and internships. The total fee is around 90,000. Placements are decent, with an average package of about 3.5 to 4 LPA, and companies like Deloitte, Infosys, and ICICI visit the campus. If you stay focused and build skills, you can get good opportunities through the placement cell.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Yes Anil, after completing GNM with 4 years of experience, you are eligible to pursue MBA or PGDM. It’s a good option if you want to grow into hospital administration, healthcare management, or pharma management roles. Institutes like Goa Institute of Management (Healthcare PGDM), Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, or even General MBA programs in reputed B-schools can be considered. Your professional experience will add strong value during admission and placements. I would personally suggest going for a Healthcare/Hospital Management specialization to align with your background.

The best MBA courses in India are mostly offered by IIMs, ISB, FMS Delhi, XLRI, and also by IITs that run management schools.

According to the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025, IIM Bangalore is the top MBA institute in India, followed by IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta. ISB Hyderabad also ranks high in both Indian and global rankings. The Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2025 place ISB Hyderabad at 27 worldwide, IIM Ahmedabad at 31, and IIM Bangalore at 57. These show that Indian business schools have a strong global presence.

The IIRF 2025 ranking puts IIM Ahmedabad in first place overall. FMS Delhi is ranked second and is known for being affordable with very good placements. IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore are also among the best. For executive MBA programs, ISB Hyderabad is considered the top school in Asia.

IITs also run respected MBA programs. IIT Delhi (DMS) and IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) are considered the best among them. They are good options especially for those interested in operations, analytics, and technology management.

In summary, the most recognized and best courses for MBA in India are at IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, and ISB Hyderabad. FMS Delhi is also an excellent option if you want strong placements with very low fees. IIT business schools like IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay also provide very good opportunities, especially if you want to combine management with a technical background.

Hello,

Here are some of the top MBA colleges in Mumbai:

  • IIM Mumbai (NITIE)

  • SJMSOM, IIT Bombay

  • SPJIMR

  • JBIMS

  • NMIMS (School of Business Management)

  • K J Somaiya Institute of Management

  • TISS Mumbai

  • Welingkar (WeSchool)

  • SDA Bocconi Asia Center

If you are looking for top placement and brand value , IIM Mumbai, SJMSOM, SPJIMR and JBIMS are the best.
For affordable options with good ROI , TISS and JBIMS stand out.

Hope it helps !