IIT Bombay’s Biz School Revises MBA Admission Criteria
In a significant shift aimed at broadening its student base, the Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM) at IIT Bombay has revised its eligibility criteria for admission to the MBA programme from the academic year 2025–26. The move marks a departure from the long-standing requirement of a four-year undergraduate or postgraduate degree, and now opens the doors to candidates with a three-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Until last year, only those holding a four-year bachelor’s or master’s degree with first class honours (or a minimum CPI of 6.5 out of 10) were eligible. With the latest amendment, approved by the IIT Bombay Senate, the business school will now also consider applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree with the same academic standards.
The change, according to the institute, is designed to enhance both **disciplinary and gender diversity** in the MBA cohort, reflecting the multi-disciplinary nature of modern management education. “Diversity brings multiple perspectives to the classroom,” stated an official from the school, noting that the case method widely used in MBA programmes benefits from varied academic and professional backgrounds. Unlike fields such as engineering or science, management does not rely on a single algorithm or solution, requiring broader viewpoints and analytical flexibility.
This realignment also brings SJMSOM’s eligibility norms in line with those followed by other IITs and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), thereby ensuring consistency in MBA admissions across premier institutions.
Recruiters, too, have reportedly been urging top business schools to diversify their intake. Companies today face growing pressure to hire across a broader talent spectrum, both in terms of educational background and gender. Feedback from recruiters visiting IIT Bombay’s management school has consistently highlighted the need for greater inclusion, and this input played a key role in the decision-making process.
Another justification for the policy shift is the recognition that the MBA at SJMSOM is a general management programme, and therefore should not be restricted to students of engineering or science alone. By widening the eligibility net, the school hopes to attract candidates from arts, commerce, humanities, and other backgrounds, enriching the academic and social environment of its MBA classroom.
As per the revised criteria:
* Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks (or 55% for SC/ST/PWD candidates), or a CPI of 6.5 out of 10 (6 for SC/ST/PWD), from a recognised university or institution.
* Final-year students or those awaiting results can also apply, provided they meet the eligibility conditions based on the most recently completed examinations.
* A valid CAT score remains mandatory for admission.
