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How the MBA Has Evolved in 2025: Then vs Now

How the MBA Has Evolved in 2025: Then vs Now

Edited By Moksh Dheri | Updated on Aug 05, 2025 12:48 PM IST | #MBA

Master of Business Administration, or MBA, is one of the most popular degrees worldwide. It has long been considered a valuable degree for those aiming to build careers in both business and management disciplines. However, over the years, the MBA has changed drastically. The MBA course has evolved from being a classroom-based programme to a flexible and skill-driven qualification. In this article, we will explore how an MBA degree has evolved.

How the MBA Has Evolved in 2025: Then vs Now
How the MBA Has Evolved in 2025: Then vs Now

How was the MBA then, and how has it evolved?

The MBA or Master of Business Administration was first launched in the United States (US) in the early 20th century as a response to the growing need for professional business education during the rise of industrialisation.

The main reason for this was to create a programme to train aspiring managers and professionals. The aim was to professionalise business management just like other fields, law, medicine or engineering.

Early Curriculum

The first MBA programme at Harvard University was focused on providing practical management skills and on leadership. The majority of the students were men. The core subjects included in the curriculum were Accounting, Business Law, Commercial Correspondence, Ethics, and Economics.

Gradual Expansion

After Harvard, other top institutes such as Wharton (University of Pennsylvania) and Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College) started offering similar postgraduate business programmes. By the 1950s and 60s, the MBA began gaining popularity outside the U.S, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Global Reach

In later decades, the MBA spread to business schools across the globe. Institutions such as INSEAD, London Business School, and IIMs in India helped make MBA programmes more popular. New formats such as one-year MBAs, part-time MBA, and executive MBA programmes started gaining popularity.

The Modern MBA

Today’s MBA programmes are much more comprehensive and have expanded to several other fields.

Customisation

Students can choose from various specialisations such as business analytics, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and healthcare management. Students are free to choose the specialisation that aligns with their career goals, making it more relevant and industry-oriented. Some institutes even allow students to customise their curriculum with electives and interdisciplinary options.

Flexible Formats

Modern MBA programmes are no longer timid about two-year, campus modes. At present, students can choose from part-time, online, executive, and hybrid modes. These options are ideal for working professionals who cannot commit to a full-time programme. After COVID-19, online education has gained a lot of popularity.

Practical, Hands-On Learning

MBA programmes place a strong emphasis on practical experience. Students often work on live projects, internships, industry-based assignments, and labs. This hands-on approach helps them apply their theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Focus on Skills and Employability

Employers are increasingly looking for MBAs with relevant practical skills and a strong understanding of technology and innovation. MBA programmes now include courses on data analytics, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital transformation and design thinking.

Traditional MBA vs Modern MBA

Traditional MBA Programmes

Modern MBA Programmes

Generalised Curriculum

Various specialisations

Classroom Centric

Flexible Formats

Limited Career Opportunities

A wide range of career options in different fields

Less diverse student profiles

Greater student diversity

Less emphasis on technology

Technology integration in almost every aspect of the course

Curriculum limited to local focus

Focus on International Business


MBA has evolved a lot from being a generalised business programme focused on classroom education to a more dynamic, flexible, and skill-focused course. Modern MBA offers diverse specialisations, flexible formats and practical learning opportunities in almost any industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where was the MBA introduced for the first time?

The first MBA programme was launched at Harvard University in the early 20th century.

2. What is the difference between traditional and modern MBA?

MBA has evolved a lot since its inception in the early 20th century. While a traditional MBA was more restricted to classroom education and a fixed curriculum, the modern MBA is much more comprehensive and follows a flexible curriculum and approach.

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Questions related to MBA

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello,

Yes, doing an MBA after having 4 years of work experience can definitely help you get a better job role and a good salary hike. MBA teaches you skills like business strategy, leadership, marketing, finance, and decision-making. These are useful in almost every field. If you are doing an MBA from VIY , and the course is designed well, it can add great value to your resume.

Since you already have experience in the industry, your MBA degree will help you move into higher roles like team lead, manager, or project coordinator. Many companies prefer employees with both work experience and a business degree. Also, online MBAs are good for working professionals because they are flexible. But make sure the program is UGC-approved or linked to a recognized university.

Getting a salary hike also depends on your current job role, how you use the new skills, and the company you work for. If you apply your MBA learning effectively, show leadership, and look for better job roles after the course, you can expect a good hike. Try to do internships or projects during the MBA, even if it’s online it makes a big difference.

Thank you!



To apply or download the TANCET MBA 2025 scorecard, you need to visit the official TANCET website, which is managed by Anna University. Once the results are announced, the scorecard will be available online for download.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Go to the official TANCET website.

2. Click on the link that says Download Scorecard.

3. Enter your login credentials usually, it's your email ID and password you used while applying for the exam.

4. Once logged in, you’ll see your scorecard.

5. Click on the download or print option to save it as a PDF.

Make sure all the details in the scorecard are correct like your name, marks, and rank. If you find any errors, contact Anna University quickly using the contact details available on their site. Also, download your scorecard as soon as possible because the download link stays active only for a few weeks after the result.

Thank you!



Hello Aspirant,

It seems you're referring to the TANCET MBA score card , which is used for MBA admissions in Tamil Nadu.

To get your TANCET MBA scorecard:

  1. Go to the official TANCET website.

  2. Look for the link to download the scorecard

  3. Log in using your registered email ID and password .

  4. Your scorecard will appear. Download and print it for future use in admissions.

Hello Aspirant,

West Bengal boasts top MBA institutes. IIM Calcutta is the most prestigious, offering excellent placements. Other strong options include International Management Institute (IMI) Kolkata , Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM) , and Praxis Business School . IIT Kharagpur's Vinod Gupta School of Management (VGSoM) also offers a great MBA. These colleges provide quality education and good career opportunities.

Thanks for reaching out. A CGPA of 6.64 is decent, and you’re eligible for many MBA colleges, especially if you’ve also given an entrance test like CAT, MAT, or your state-level MBA entrance.

Here are some MBA colleges you can consider:

  • Private Colleges like KIIT School of Management, Amity University, IMS Ghaziabad.
  • State Universitie  like Osmania University (if you’re from Telangana), MAKAUT (West Bengal), or Pune University (for MH CET MBA).
  • AICTE-approved colleges: Many mid-tier colleges accept students based on graduation marks and entrance score combinations.

If your entrance test scores are low, try colleges with direct admission or management quota. Just ensure the college has good faculty, placements, and reviews. It’s better to focus on skill-building and internships during your MBA to get good placement outcomes.

To check more MBA colleges you can visit this link below;

https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-mba-colleges-in-india

All the best for your MBA journey!

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