The MBA Rush
Over the last two decades, India’s MBA landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once the aspiration of a select few, the MBA has now become a mainstream career accelerator for thousands of students and professionals across the country. As we approach the 2025–26 admission cycle, several indicators suggest we are on the brink of one of the most competitive MBA seasons in recent memory.
Rising Aspirations: A Statistical Snapshot
Let’s begin with some numbers. In 2001, close to 150,000 aspirants appeared for the Common Admission Test (CAT). By 2024, over 329,000 students registered for CAT, with nearly 293,000 appearing for the exam.
Interestingly, between 2014 and 2020, CAT registration numbers plateaued around the 2.1 to 2.4 lakh mark. However, a renewed spike has been observed since 2021, with a sharp jump of nearly 70,000 takers between 2022 and 2024 alone. This is the first time in almost a decade that the numbers have moved so decisively upward, indicating a renewed trust in management education as a reliable career path.
Looking ahead, many experts believe CAT 2025 could break the 350,000 registration mark, driven by increased demand, media focus, and widespread career uncertainty in technology, startups, and global education avenues.
What’s Behind the Rise?
Three interconnected trends:
- A sharp rise in the number of MBA institutes and seats: From a few hundred institutes in the early 2000s, India now has over 3,500 B-schools, with states like Karnataka alone offering 33,800+ seats.
- A proven Return on Investment (ROI): Top institutes like FMS Delhi, with fees under INR 2 lakh, offer packages of INR 30+ LPA. Even newer IIMs are delivering average placements in the INR 16–20 LPA range.
- Wider access and inclusion: The intake of women at IIMs has grown from 90 in the early 2000s to over 700 today. Institutes like IIM Visakhapatnam now have 51% women in their cohorts.
How 2025–26 looks Different
The MBA surge in 2025–26 is not just about the numbers. It’s about the changing context:
- Tech Sector Slowdown: With layoffs, hiring freezes, and flattening career paths in IT and startups, many engineers and tech professionals are looking to pivot toward management roles.
- Tightened Foreign Visa Opportunities: With increasing restrictions on H1B visas and stricter immigration policies in the US and UK, many students who once preferred MS or global MBAs are now choosing top Indian B-schools as safer, ROI-driven alternatives.
- Expanded IIM Capacity: Even with more IIMs and greater seats, the demand-supply gap for top-tier management education remains high, keeping the stakes intense.
ROI: Still the Strongest Hook
For many aspirants, the real question is: Is an MBA still worth it? The data answers with a resounding yes.
- IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta: Fees ~INR 25–28 lakhs | Avg Package: INR 30–36 LPA
- IIM Ranchi/Nagpur: Avg CTCs have seen 30%+ YoY growth; highest offers touch INR 50–70 LPA.
- FMS Delhi: With ultra-low fees and top-tier placements, it remains the gold standard in ROI.
- Online/Executive MBAs: Even affordable options (INR 2–3 lakh) show ROIs exceeding 500–700% over 5 years for professionals switching industries or moving into leadership roles.
The Shifting Profile of MBA Aspirants
2025–26 will likely mark a further diversification of the MBA applicant pool:
- More professionals with 3–5 years’ experience seeking career resets.
- Higher women participation due to inclusive policies and mentorship.
- Entrepreneurs & re-skillers exploring MBAs to professionalize or pivot.
- STEM graduates moving away from saturated tech roles.
Advice to 2025 Aspirants: Compete Smart
- Don’t follow the herd. Choose institutes with a strong ROI track record and brand value both. It is not a trade off but combination of two which will give you rewards in long run.
- Specialize early. Analytics, product management, finance, and marketing all have different career trajectories.
- Widen your net. Consider new IIMs, private B-schools, and hybrid online programs if your profile fits.
- Build your narrative. Admission is not just about scores. Profile building, internships, social work, and achievements matter more than ever.
Final Thoughts
India’s MBA ecosystem is more vibrant than ever, but also more competitive. As the tech sector recalibrates and global opportunities remain uncertain, the MBA offers a powerful way to future-proof your career. The nature of exams be it CAT or other major entrance exams stresses on logical thinking and reasoning making it a leveller for all whether someone has aced academics so far or not.