MBA in demand! IIMs, ISB see big rise in applications from mid-career professionals - here's why
NEW DELHI: MBA programmes are becoming a go-to option for mid-career professionals with top business schools seeing a sharp increase in application from people aiming for leadership positions in a changing corporate world.
The trend is being driven by the need to stay competitive as emerging technologies disrupt traditional business models.
According to ET, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and the Indian School of Business (ISB) have reported a steady rise in interest, with more professionals now looking to gain strategic skills and broader business perspectives.
A noticeable increase in female applicants has also been recorded.
What institutes saw changes?
IIM Ahmedabad
Applications for the one-year full-time MBA for executives (MBA-PGPX) have gone up by 10 to 15 per cent each year over the past couple of years.
'The number of women enrolled increased by nearly 45 per cent in the same period,' Amit Karna, the institute's chairperson for the MBA-PGPX programme, was quoted as saying to ET.
Many candidates from IT, fintech, and engineering backgrounds have successfully transitioned into strategic and product-oriented roles post-graduation, Karna added.
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IIM Lucknow
IIM Lucknow reported a rise in female applicants.
'The participants come from various domains with an average age of 34 to 36 years and an average work experience of 12 to 14 years,' said Himanshu Rai, director of IIM Indore.
The institute also reported greater industry diversity, with professionals from healthcare, IT, and entrepreneurship joining alongside those from manufacturing and finance. The institute said 93 per cent of its IPMX Class of 2025 received job offers, with the highest annual package reaching Rs 53 lakh.
IIM Indore
At IIM Indore, the number of applications has also grown.
'The participants come from various domains with an average age of 34 to 36 years and an average work experience of 12 to 14 years,' said Himanshu Rai, director of IIM Indore.
IIM Shillong
IIM Shillong has seen a steady rise in its executive MBA programme, known as the Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPEx).
Enrolments increased from 49 in 2023 to 55 in 2025, and the number of female students almost doubled from eight to 15, according to director in-charge Nalini Prabha Tripathi.
'In 2023 and 2024, we had more executives from traditional corporate profiles like banking, consulting, engineering. In 2025, it is more of entrepreneurial, cross-functional and digitally fluent professionals,' said Rohit Joshi, dean of academics at Shillong.
ISB
ISB's PGP MAX, a 15-month executive MBA equivalent, continues to attract candidates from sectors like ITeS, professional services, R&D, banking, energy, government, and defence.
The programme includes 24 courses across eight cross-functional themes and offers executive coaching.
'Notably, candidates from IT, fintech, and engineering backgrounds have successfully pivoted into strategic and product-oriented roles upon completion of the programme,' said Karna of IIM Ahmedabad.
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