Top MBA Colleges in India for Direct Admission with Low CAT Score

Rate this post

Overview: Which are the best MBA colleges in India without the CAT exam? Pursuing an MBA without CAT requires understanding alternative entrance exams and admission processes. Read on to know the top colleges for an MBA without the CAT exam!

Although more than 1,200+ MBA institutes accept CAT scores, you can apply without taking the CAT exam.
Several other top B-schools in India either have their own entrance exams or offer direct admission to MBA programs.

🔗 Also Read: Management Quota in NMIMS Mumbai Direct Admission

💡 List of Best MBA Colleges In India Without CAT Exam 2025

The CAT or Common Admission Test is widely regarded as the toughest MBA entrance exam, with approximately 3.5 lakh students taking the test each year. Due to intense competition, some candidates struggle to meet the cutoff.

Top MBA Colleges in India for Direct Admission with Low CAT Score.

However, aspiring MBA students need not worry, as several top institutes offer admission to their programs without requiring a CAT score. If you are interested in pursuing your MBA degree from a renowned and esteemed college in India, you can refer to the following list for options: Contact Ace Guru Education Services or Visit our website- mba-guru.com or you can send us email at – queries@ace-guru.com Call @ 9742479101 Ankit Mishra, and 9742886036 Anis

Best MBA Colleges in India Without CAT 2025
*Colleges*	*Entrance Exams*	*Locations*	*Courses Available*
XLRI Jamshedpur	XAT	Jamshedpur, Jharkhand	HRM, BM, GM
NMIMS Mumbai	NMAT	Mumbai, Maharashtra	Business Analytics, Pharmaceutical Management, Executive MBA
SIBM Pune	SNAP	Pune, Maharashtra	Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Operations Management
JBIMS Mumbai	CAT, CMAT, MH-CET	Mumbai, Maharashtra	Master of Management Studies (MMS), Executive MBA
IIFT Delhi	IIFT Entrance Exam	New Delhi	International Business
Xavier University	XAT, GD, PI	Bhubaneswar, Odisha	Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management
Indian School of Business	GMAT, ISBAT	Hyderabad, Telangana	PGPM, Executive MBA
SPJIMR Mumbai	CAT, XAT, GMAT	Mumbai, Maharashtra	Global Fast Track (GFT), Finance, Operations, Marketing

🔗 Also Read: MBA Colleges Accepting Low CAT Score + Direct Seats Available

📝 MBA Admission without CAT Exam 2026: Alternative Entrance Exam

Another way to gain admission to an MBA without a CAT score is to take alternative entrance exams. Reputable MBA colleges widely accept several exams.

Exam	Conducting Body	Acceptance
MAT (Management Aptitude Test)	AIMA (All India Management Association)	Accepted by over 600 business schools in India
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)	XLRI (Xavier School of Management)	Accepted by many prestigious institutes
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)	NTA (National Testing Agency)	Accepted by various AICTE-approved colleges
NMAT (Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test)	GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)	Accepted by NMIMS University and other institutions

🔗 Also Read: Low CAT Score? Get Direct Admission in MBA College

🎯 Top 10 MBA Colleges in India without CAT 2025

These are the leading MBA colleges that do not require CAT. Admission is based on other exams like XAT, SNAP, NMAT, GMAT, or merit + GD/PI.

College Name	Location	Seat Intake	Entrance Exam	Total Fees (2 Years)	Avg. Placement (LPA)
XLRI Jamshedpur	Jamshedpur	360	XAT / GMAT	₹30.6 Lakhs	29.89
ISB Hyderabad	Hyderabad	850+	GMAT / GRE	₹38.67 Lakhs	33.26
SIBM Pune	Pune	300	SNAP	₹24.2 Lakhs	26.77
SPJIMR Mumbai	Mumbai	240	GMAT / Profile	₹26.5 Lakhs	33.00
NMIMS Mumbai	Mumbai	600	NMAT	₹25.49 Lakhs	25.13
TISS Mumbai	Mumbai	60	TISSNET / CUET-PG	₹1.85 Lakhs	20.00
SCMHRD Pune	Pune	180	SNAP	₹26.54 Lakhs	23.13
XIM Bhubaneswar	Bhubaneswar	360	XAT / CUET	₹23 Lakhs	10.50
Christ University	Bangalore	500	CUET / Skill Test	₹11.4 Lakhs	8.50
KIIT School of Management	Bhubaneswar	280	KIITEE	₹18 Lakhs	9.00

📌 Low Fee MBA Colleges without CAT 2025 (Under ₹5 Lakh)

The following are some of the top MBA colleges in India that do not require the CAT exam for admission and have total fees under INR 5 lakhs. Some of these colleges include SIMSREE, PUMBA, and TISS Mumbai.

College Name	Total Fees	Entrance	Avg. Salary (LPA)
SIMSREE Mumbai	₹1.38 Lakhs	MH-CET (optional)	15.19
PUMBA Pune	₹1.34 Lakhs	MH-CET / Merit	8.00
TISS Mumbai	₹1.85 Lakhs	TISSNET	20.00
Jamia Millia Islamia	₹1.1 Lakhs	JMI Entrance	10.00
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University	₹2.99 Lakhs	CUET-PG	8–10
Natesan Institute Chennai	₹0.79 Lakhs	Merit	5.50

🔗 Also Read: IMT Ghaziabad Management Quota

⭐ MBA Admission Process without CAT 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Check Eligibility

Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
Final-year students can apply

Apply Online

Visit the college website
Fill form (July–Oct 2025)
Pay ₹1,000–3,000

Appear for Selection

Written Test / GD / PI
Work experience adds weight
Merit List & Counselling

Released: Nov–Dec 2026

Pay seat confirmation fee
Document Verification & Joining

✍️ MBA Management Quota Admission 2026

Seats: 15–20% in private colleges

Extra Fees: ₹5–20 Lakhs (donation + tuition)

Eligibility: 50% in graduation

Top Colleges: Christ, Amity, Balaji, Lexicon MILE

Apply: After the merit list via the college office

Note: Before enrolling in any of the colleges through the Management quota, please verify AICTE approval & also avoid agents for direct admissions.

🔗 Also Read: IMT Ghaziabad MBA Direct Admission 2025

📝 Documents Required for MBA Admission

Submit scanned copies online + originals at verification:

Class 10- & 12-Mark Sheets
Graduation Mark Sheet & Degree
Aadhaar / PAN Card
4 Passport Photos
Transfer Certificate
Migration Certificate
Caste Certificate (if applicable)
Work Experience Letter (if any)

🏢 City-Wise Best MBA Colleges without CAT 2025

The following are the city-wise top MBA colleges that do not require CAT for admissions in the MBA program. The top colleges for different cities are listed below.

1. Delhi NCR

In Delhi NCR, some of the top MBA colleges that offer admission without CAT include Jamia Millia Islamia University and IIFT Delhi. Check the table below for detailed information.

College	Fees
Jamia Millia Islamia	₹1.1 L
Ambedkar University	₹2.99 L
IIFT Delhi	₹21.82 L

2. Mumbai

In Mumbai, some of the top MBA colleges that offer admission without CAT include SIMSREE, TISS, etc. Check the table below for detailed information.

College	Fees
SIMSREE	₹1.38 L
SPJIMR	₹26.5 L
TISS	₹1.85 L

3. Bangalore

In Bangalore, some of the top MBA colleges that offer admission without CAT include Christ University, PES University, and IFIM Bangalore (JAGSOM Bangalore). Check the table below for detailed information.

College	Fees
Christ University	₹11.4 L
PES University	₹10 L
IFIM	₹10 L

4. Pune

In Pune, some of the top MBA colleges that offer admission without CAT include SIBM Pune, PUMBA & BIMHRDi. Check the table below for detailed information.

College	Fees
SIBM Pune	₹24.2 L
PUMBA	₹1.34 L
BIMHRD	₹12.55 L

5. Hyderabad

In Hyderabad, some of the top MBA colleges that offer admission without CAT include ISB Hyderabad & IMT Hyderabad. Check the table below for detailed information.

College	Fees
ISB	₹38.67 L
IMT Hyderabad	₹15 L

6. Chennai

In Chennai, some of the top MBA colleges that offer admission without CAT include Great Lakes Chennai & Natesan Institute. Check the table below for detailed information.

College	Fees
Great Lakes	₹11.76–15.86 L
Natesan Institute	₹79,000

🔗 Also Read: MDI Gurgaon Management Quota | 2026 Direct MBA Admission

Top Placements (MBA without CAT 2025)

Several top MBA colleges in India that don’t require CAT for admission have amazing placement records, with packages that can easily compete with many IIMs. Let’s take a look at how these colleges performed in their latest placement season.

TISS Mumbai: Famous for its HR program, TISS saw an average salary of around ₹27 LPA, and the highest offer touched ₹49 LPA. Big brands like Deloitte, Accenture, HUL, and EY were among the top recruiters.
IIFT Delhi: If international business excites you, IIFT is a great choice. The average CTC was ₹29.1 LPA, with international offers crossing ₹85 LPA! Companies like Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and JP Morgan frequently visit the campus.
SPJIMR Mumbai: Another strong performer, SPJIMR offered an average package of ₹33 LPA, with the highest offer above ₹77 LPA. Leading recruiters included McKinsey, BCG, PwC, and HDFC Bank.
NMIMS Mumbai: Known for its practical curriculum and corporate exposure, NMIMS recorded an average package of ₹14 LPA and a highest package of ₹67.8 LPA. Top names like Microsoft, Capgemini, and KPMG hired from here.
Symbiosis (SIBM Pune): Admission is through SNAP, and placements here are top-notch. The average salary stood at ₹28.2 LPA, while the highest touched ₹53 LPA. Companies such as ITC, HUL, and Deloitte are regular recruiters.
PUMBA Pune: A great option if you’re looking for value for money. The average package is between ₹6–8 LPA, and the highest offer goes up to ₹18 LPA. Recruiters include ICICI Bank, Infosys, and Capgemini.
SIMSREE Mumbai: Known for its ROI, SIMSREE students bagged an average package of ₹10.6 LPA and a highest offer of ₹23 LPA. Some major recruiters were KPMG, Deloitte, HDFC Bank, and TCS.

💼 Commonly Asked Questions

Ques. Can I get into IIMs without CAT?

Ans. No, admission to IIMs is only through the CAT (Common Admission Test). It’s the mandatory entrance exam for all 20 IIMs in India. However, if you haven’t taken the CAT, you can still get into top private B-schools such as ISB Hyderabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai, NMIMS Mumbai, and Symbiosis (SIBM Pune). These institutes accept other exams like GMAT, XAT, and SNAP, and offer placements and learning environments comparable to the IIMs.

Ques. Which exam is easiest instead of the CAT?

Ans. While every exam has its own pattern, SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test), NMAT (Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test), and CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) are considered easier and more student-friendly alternatives to CAT. They have a simpler syllabus, no negative marking (in NMAT), and flexible exam schedules. These exams open doors to reputed institutes like SIBM Pune, NMIMS Mumbai, and PUMBA Pune, among others.

Ques. Is direct admission safe?

Ans. Yes, direct MBA admission is completely safe if you choose a college approved by AICTE, UGC, or accredited by NAAC, and preferably listed in the NIRF rankings. Always verify the institute’s placement record, faculty, and official approvals before paying any fees. Many reputed universities, such as Amity, Lovely Professional University (LPU), and UPES Dehradun, offer direct admission under management quota or merit-based seats.

Ques. What is the Last date to apply for MBA Admissions in 2025?

Ans. Most MBA colleges close their application process by November 30, 2025, though some universities may extend deadlines till December or January 2026. Exams like NMAT, SNAP, and CMAT also have different registration timelines. It’s best to check each college’s official admission portal for the latest dates.

Ques. Are Scholarships available in MBA colleges?

Ans. Yes, several top MBA colleges offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Institutes like TISS Mumbai, SIMSREE, and Christ University provide up to 100% tuition fee waivers for high-performing students. Government and private scholarships A such as AICTE PG Scholarship and Buddy4Study MBA Scholarships, can also help reduce your overall MBA cost significantly.