Direct Admission in ISB Hyderabad | Management Quota
ISB Hyderabad Rankings 2026
Note: ISB Hyderabad does not participate in the NIRF. NIRF rankings are open to universities, deemed universities, and their constituent colleges. ISB is a not-for-profit autonomous institution and has not submitted data to NIRF. No NIRF rank is available for ISB in any category.
ISB Hyderabad ranked 12th globally in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2026, making it the highest-ranked Indian institution in the history of that list. This was a dramatic improvement from 27th in 2025 and 31st in 2024. The FT evaluates the flagship one-year PGP on weighted salary, salary increase, career progress, and research rank parameters.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank |
| Financial Times | Global MBA (out of 100) | 12 (1st in India) | 27 |
| Global MBA Rankings | MBA (out of 350) | 4 | 4 |
| Financial Times | Executive MBA (out of 95) | 23 | 53 |
| India Today | Executive MBA (out of 15) | 3 | 1 |
Across national frameworks, ISB has held the 4th position in the India Today MBA Rankings in both 2025 and 2026, a stable showing within a pool of 350 institutions. On global lists, the FT trajectory from 31st in 2024 to 12th in 2026 reflects improvement in salary outcomes and career progress metrics driven by the Class of 2025 and 2026 placement data.
ISB PGP Eligibility Criteria 2027
| Criterion | Requirement | Notes |
| Undergraduate Degree | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution | Any discipline accepted |
| Work Experience | Minimum 2 years full-time as of March 31 of joining year | Internships do not count |
| Accepted Tests | GMAT (10th Edition or Focus Edition) or GRE | Test centre scores only. No online attempts. |
| Score Validity | Within 5 years of the application deadline | No minimum score set by ISB |
| Programme Fee (2027-28) | INR 40,46,520 (total) | Verify latest fee at isb.edu |
ISB Hyderabad Admission Dates 2027
ISB runs a staggered three-round admission process for all PGP programmes. The Class of 2028 will enter the programme in April 2027, making 2027 the intake year. All major PGP programmes are currently accepting applications for that cohort.
| Programme | Round 1 Deadline | Round 2 Deadline | Round 3 Deadline |
| PGP (Class of 2028) | September 20, 2026 | December 6, 2026 | January 17, 2027 |
| PGPPRO (Class of 2028) | August 23, 2026 | November 29, 2026 | March 14, 2027 |
| PGPMAX (Class of 2028) | August 30, 2026 | December 6, 2026 | March 14, 2027 |
The PGP YL (Young Leaders) runs on a separate two-year cycle. The current PGP YL Class of 2029 has Round 1 closing on December 20, 2026, and Round 2 on February 21, 2027. Applications submitted after a round deadline automatically roll into the next round.
| Programme | Exam Accepted | Minimum Work Experience |
| PGP | GMAT, GRE | 2 years |
| PGPPRO | GMAT, GRE | 4 years |
| PGPMAX | GMAT, GRE (waiver available) | 10 years |
| PGP YL | GMAT, GRE, CAT | 0-2 Years |
| PGPFMB | GMAT, GRE, CAT | 2 years |
ISB Hyderabad PGPM Fees 2027
PGPM at ISB Hyderabad is the most popular 1-year PG program offered, with a seat intake of around 820 seats . The Fees for PGPM is INR 40.47 Lakhs. The course eligibility required for admission in PGPM is Graduation + GMAT.
To know about the fees for various specialisations of PGPM at ISB Hyderabad, check the below-mentioned table.
| Fee Component | Shared Accommodation | Studio Accommodation |
| Tuition Fee | INR 26,64,000 | INR 26,64,000 |
| Accommodation Fee | INR 2,34,000 | INR 5,36,000 |
| GST (18%) | INR 4,79,520 | INR 5,76,000 |
| Security Deposit (Refundable) | INR 20,000 | INR 20,000 |
| Programme Fee | INR 33,97,520 | INR 37,96,000 |
| Total Admission Fee (A) | INR 3,99,500 | INR 3,99,500 |
| Total Commitment Fee (A1) | INR 2,49,500 | INR 2,49,500 |
| Total Fee (A + A1 + Programme Fee) | INR 40,46,520 | INR 44,45,000 |
ISB Hyderabad PGPFMB Fees 2027
PGP FMB programme fee for the academic year 2027-28 is ₹44,72,881 + GST. This fee includes tuition, course materials, meals, accommodation during residencies, lodging for the international immersion programme, and lifetime access to the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) and recreation centre . The course eligibility required for admission in PGP is Graduation + BAT.
To Know about the fees for various specialization of PGP at ISB Hyderabad, Check the below mentioned table.
| Component | Amount (₹) | GST (₹) | Total (₹) |
| Admission Fee | 4,22,881 | 76,119 | 4,99,000 |
| Tuition Fee | 40,50,000 | 7,29,000 | 47,79,000 |
| Total Programme Fee (Inclusive of Security Deposit & GST) | — | — | ₹52,98,000 |
ISB Hyderabad PGPYL Fees 2027
The programme fee for the academic year 2027-29 is ₹25,60,000 + GST (for shared accommodation and single instalment payment). This includes admission and tuition fees, commitment fees, and course material. Other expenses include a refundable security deposit of ₹20,000 and miscellaneous expenses. The detailed fees structure is tabulated below:
Other Estimated Expenses for PGP YL 2027–29 (Per Student on Campus)
| Particulars | Approximate Amount Per Annum (INR) |
| Books | 20,000 |
| Laptop | 75,000 |
| Meal Plans | 80,000 |
| Other expenses towards IT support, laundry, electricity, documentation expenses, photocopy charges, etc. | 50,000 |
| Total | 2,25,000 |
ISB Hyderabad MBA Admission 2027: Process Overview
The ISB Hyderabad MBA admission process is designed to identify well-rounded professionals who possess not just academic excellence but also leadership potential, analytical ability, and personal vision. Unlike traditional entrance exams that focus purely on test scores, ISB follows a holistic evaluation model that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations.
Step-by-Step Admission Process:
| Admission Stage | Details |
| Online Application | Candidates must fill out the ISB PGP application form available on the official ISB portal. The application requires personal details, academic history, work experience, and achievements. |
| GMAT/GRE Score Submission | Applicants need to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score. ISB does not have a fixed cutoff; however, applicants should aim for a competitive score. |
| Essays & Statement of Purpose (SOP) | One of the most important parts of the application. Candidates should highlight their career goals, leadership experiences, problem-solving abilities, and reasons for choosing ISB. Clarity, authenticity, and self-awareness are important. |
| Interview Round | Shortlisted applicants are invited for a personal interview, which may be conducted in person or virtually. The interview can assess the applicant’s leadership experiences, interpersonal skills, motivation, career goals, and suitability for the programme. |
| Final Selection | The final admission decision is based on a holistic evaluation of factors such as academic background, professional experience, test scores, essays, recommendations, and interview performance. |
ISB Hyderabad attracts candidates from diverse industries — including technology, consulting, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and the public sector. This diversity creates a dynamic classroom where peer learning is as valuable as faculty instruction.
What You Get: Placements and Salaries
The PGP Class of 2026 placement season produced 1,117 offers for a batch of 808 students, an average of 1.38 offers per student. The average CTC reached INR 37.29 LPA, an 11% rise over the previous year. The highest offer stood at INR 1.56 crore per annum. ISB runs a centralised placement process covering both the Hyderabad and Mohali campuses.
Accenture led hiring with 100 or more offers. Mastercard and EY GDS each extended 40 or more offers. McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and Unilever were among the leading recruiters across consulting, technology, and BFSI. Over 250 companies participated in the 2026 season. Students can check detailed ISB Hyderabad Placements in the table below-
| Metric | Class of 2026 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2022 |
| Batch Size | 808 | 870 | 929 |
| Total Offers | 1,117 | 1,208 | 2,072 |
| Average CTC | INR 37.29 LPA | INR 34.21 LPA | INR 32.76 LPA |
| Highest CTC | INR 1.56 Cr per Annum | Not disclosed | INR 72 LPA |
| International Offers | 30 | 27 | 18 |
| Companies Participating | 250 and above | 405 | 393 |
Notable Recruiters (Class of 2026)
Accenture led the Class of 2026 with 100 or more offers, making it the top recruiter for the season. Mastercard and EY GDS each extended 40 or more offers. McKinsey, BCG, and Bain remained active in the consulting segment, while major technology and financial services firms contributed across sectors. UBS, Reliance Foundation Hospital, and NTT Data appeared as first-time recruiters in the 2026 season. In 2025, McKinsey, Deloitte, BCG, PwC, Amazon, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Flipkart, and Unilever each made 20 or more offers.
| Sector | Notable Recruiters (Class of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Consulting and Advisory | McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG, Accenture, ZS Associates |
| Technology | Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Uber, Razorpay, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Swiggy, Zomato, NTT Data |
| BFSI | Mastercard, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Kotak Mahindra Capital, DSP Asset Managers, Jefferies India, Nomura, UBS |
| FMCG | ITC, P&G, Tata Consumer Products, L’Oreal, Unilever |
| Diversified and Others | EY GDS, Reliance Industries, Reliance Foundation Hospital, Air India, Airtel |
Scholarships: Admission way to lower the price
Approximately 25% of PGP students receive financial support each year. ISB offers merit-based, need-cum-merit, and diversity scholarships, all of which apply to the flagship PGP. ISB Hyderabad Scholarship applications open alongside the admissions process, and no separate application window exists for most categories.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
| ISB Merit Waiver | All applicants, automatic consideration | 25% to 100% of tuition |
| Bajaj Auto Scholarship | Merit-based, top-performing candidates | 100% tuition waiver (3 awards per year) |
| Prof. Manasa Mandava Memorial Scholarship | Women applicants high on merit | 50% tuition waiver |
| Need-Cum-Merit (Family income up to INR 8 Lakhs) | Verified family income below INR 8 Lakhs | 100% tuition waiver |
| Need-Cum-Merit (Family income INR 8 to 20 Lakhs) | Verified family income INR 8 to 20 Lakhs | 75% tuition waiver |
| Taparia Family Scholarship | Need-cum-merit candidates | 100% tuition waiver (5 awards per year) |
| Vidula Jalan Scholarship | Need-cum-merit candidates | Full tuition plus accommodation |
| International Diversity Waiver | International applicants | 25% to 100% of tuition |
| AIESEC Scholarship | Active or past AIESEC members | 25% tuition waiver (up to 3 awards) |
| Armed Forces Scholarship | Active or retired armed forces personnel | 50% tuition waiver |
Education loans are available through partner banks, including Axis Bank and Canara Bank, with interest rates in the 6.75%-8.75% range. All scholarships require an active admission offer for the PGP before disbursement. ISB does not offer category-based fee concessions for SC, ST, or OBC categories as it is a private institution outside the government fee regulation framework.
ISB Hyderabad vs IIM Ahmedabad: The Honest Comparison
This comparison comes up in virtually every ISB application conversation, and deserves a direct, data-based answer rather than diplomatic equivocation.
| Parameter | ISB Hyderabad | IIM Ahmedabad |
| FT Global MBA Ranking 2026 | #27 worldwide, #5 Asia | Not ranked (FT excludes PGPs) |
| Programme Length | 12 months (PGP) | 2 years (PGP) |
| Accreditation | AACSB + EQUIS + AMBA | AMBA only |
| Total Fee | ~₹38–45 Lakhs | ~₹27–28 Lakhs |
| Average Package 2026 | ₹32.5–34 LPA | ~₹35–38 LPA |
| Consulting Outcomes | Very Strong (37% of batch) | Outstanding |
| International Offers | 44 | Limited |
| Entry Requirement | GMAT/GRE + 2 yrs work-ex | CAT 99.9%ile |
| Duration Advantage | 1 year (faster ROI) | 2 years |
| Domestic Brand Recognition | Very Strong | Exceptional |
FAQs: ISB Hyderabad PGP Management Quota Admission
Q1. Is there a management quota at ISB Hyderabad?
No. ISB Hyderabad does not offer management quota seats, donation seats, or any payment-based admission pathway. Admission is holistic — evaluating GMAT/GRE, work experience, essays, recommendations, and interview performance. There are no shortcuts.
Q2. Is the YLP (Young Leaders Programme) still available?
No. ISB has officially discontinued both the YLP and the Early Entry Option (EEO). They have been replaced by the PGP YL — a 20-month direct programme for candidates with 0–24 months of work experience. Fresh graduates are eligible to apply directly.
Q3. Can I get into ISB without GMAT or GRE?
For PGP (flagship): No. GMAT or GRE is mandatory. For PGP YL: GMAT, GRE, or CAT are accepted. For PGPpro, PGPMAX, and PGP MFAB: formal test scores are not required — admission is profile and interview-based.
Q4. What is the ISB GMAT cutoff for PGP admission?
ISB does not publish an official cutoff. Based on the admitted class profile, competitive candidates typically have GMAT scores of 680–730+. However, scores below 700 with exceptional profiles have been admitted, and scores above 730 with weak essays and thin work experience have been declined.
Q5. Can I get Direct Admission in ISB Hyderabad through management quota?
No, ISB does not have a management quota. Admissions are merit-based only.
Q6. What is the ISB NRI quota admission process?
ISB does not have a separate NRI quota. NRI and international applicants go through the same holistic PGP admission process. ISB actively seeks international diversity in its batch — but through merit evaluation, not through a separate fee-based track.
Q7. Is ISB Hyderabad better than IIM Ahmedabad?
Ans. It depends on your profile and goals. ISB is designed for working professionals and offers a one-year programme accepting GMAT and CAT scores. It ranked 12th globally in the FT MBA Rankings 2026, the highest ever by an Indian institution. IIM Ahmedabad is a two-year programme primarily for CAT-qualified candidates, ranked 1st in NIRF Management 2025. If you have 4 or more years of work experience and want international MBA equivalence, ISB is often the preferred choice. If you are a fresher or early in your career, IIM Ahmedabad has broader domestic placements and a longer alumni network.
Q8. What is the ISB Hyderabad PGP Class of 2027 application deadline?
Ans. The PGP Class of 2027 has three application rounds. Round 1 closes on September 20, 2026. Round 2 closes on December 6, 2026. Round 3 closes on January 17, 2027. Applying in Round 1 is recommended for scholarship consideration and early processing. Applications submitted after a round deadline roll automatically into the next round.
Q9. What is the ISB GMAT cutoff for PGP admission?
ISB does not publish an official cutoff. Based on the admitted class profile, competitive candidates typically have GMAT scores of 680–730+. However, scores below 700 with exceptional profiles have been admitted, and scores above 730 with weak essays and thin work experience have been declined.
Also Read About: