Sushil Pandey Senior Content Specialist
Senior Content Specialist | Updated On - Nov 7, 2025
Pursuing an MBA in India without the CAT exam is a good choice for many students in 2025. Many top colleges offer admission through their own tests, merit, or direct entry. Some of the top colleges that offers direct entry without CAT scores are XLRI, SIBM Pune, ISB Hyderabad, NMIMS, XIMU Bhubaneswar, Christ University and more. This article serves as a guide for students who haven’t appeared for the CAT exam but still aim to pursue an MBA from top and reputed institutions.
Key points for MBA Direct Admissions Without CAT 2025:
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More than 10,000 seats are open without CAT.
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Fees range from ₹2 lakh to ₹40 lakh for two years.
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Most applications open in July 2025.
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Average salary after MBA: ₹12–25 lakh per year.
- Top 10 MBA Colleges in India without CAT 2025
- Best MBA Colleges with Fees without CAT 2025
- Low Fee MBA Colleges without CAT 2025 (Under ₹5 Lakh)
- MBA Admission Process without CAT 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)
- MBA Management Quota Admission 2025
- Documents Required for MBA Admission 2025
- City-Wise Best MBA Colleges without CAT 2025
7.1 Delhi NCR
7.2 Mumbai
7.3 Bangalore
7.4 Pune
7.5 Hyderabad
7.6 Chennai
- Top Placements (MBA without CAT 2025)
- MBA Admissions without CAT Commonly Asked Questions 2025
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 |
Source: Official websites & NIRF 2025 | Fees include tuition only
Best MBA Colleges with Fees without CAT 2025
Here are popular MBA colleges with updated 2025 fee structure (official sources):
| College Name | Total Fees (INR) | Admission Mode | Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPJIMR Mumbai | ₹26.5 Lakhs | GMAT / Profile | General, Ops, IM |
| SCMHRD Pune | ₹26.54 Lakhs | SNAP | HR, Marketing |
| IMT Hyderabad | ₹15 Lakhs | CMAT / XAT | Finance, Analytics |
| BIMHRD Pune | ₹12.55 Lakhs | Direct / SNAP | HR, Marketing |
| Jaipuria Institute | ₹16.5 Lakhs | CMAT / MAT | Retail, Finance |
| Amity Global | ₹7.31 Lakhs | Merit / Interview | Global Business |
| ISBM Pune | ₹11.7 Lakhs | Own Test | Media, Supply Chain |
Note: Hostel + mess: ₹1.5–2.5 Lakhs extra per year.
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 |
MBA Admission Process without CAT 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)
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Check Eligibility
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Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST)
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Final-year students can apply
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Apply Online
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Visit college website
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Fill form (July–Oct 2025)
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Pay ₹1,000–3,000
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Appear for Selection
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Written Test / GD / PI
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Work experience adds weight
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Merit List & Counseling
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Released: Nov–Dec 2025
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Pay seat confirmation fee
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Document Verification & Joining
MBA Management Quota Admission 2025
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Seats: 15–20% in private colleges
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Extra Fees: ₹5–20 Lakhs (donation + tuition)
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Eligibility: 50% in graduation
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Top Colleges: Christ, Amity, Balaji, Lexicon MILE
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Apply: After merit list via college office
Note: Before enrolling in any of the colleges through Management quota, please verify AICTE approval & also Avoid agents for direct admissions.
Documents Required for MBA Admission 2025
Submit scanned copies online + originals at verification:
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Class 10 & 12 Mark Sheets
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Graduation Mark Sheet & Degree
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Aadhaar / PAN Card
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4 Passport Photos
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Transfer Certificate
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Migration Certificate
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Caste Certificate (if applicable)
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Work Experience Letter (if any)
City-Wise Best MBA Colleges without CAT 2025
Following are the city wise top MBA colleges that do not require CAT for admissions in 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, 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 |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
MBA Admissions without CAT Commonly Asked Questions 2025
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 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 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 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 such as AICTE PG Scholarship and Buddy4Study MBA Scholarships can also help reduce your overall MBA cost significantly.
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