In Which Month Does MBA Admission 2026 Start?

From August 2025, MBA admission 2026 generally starts with major entrance examination like CAT, MAT, NMAT notification and registrations kick off in this month. This marks the beginning of a long journey for aspiring management professionals across India.

 

The MBA admission timeline allows candidates with ample preparation time before starting of classes during July or August 2026. In competitive hub like Delhi NCR, understanding the schedule helps students prepare for MBA admission 2026 process effectively.



In this blog, we will explore MBA admission 2026 start date and highlight step by step admission process for MBA program.

 

MBA Admission 2026 Start Date: Timeline

 

The MBA admission 2026 start date varies depending on institution type and selected entrance type. However, all colleges follow a structured pattern driven by national level examination. Following is the MBA admission 2026 start date depending on the college type:

 

College

Application Start Date

Last Date to Apply

Key Entrance Exams

Status

(as of Dec 2025)

FMS Delhi

Oct 15, 2025

Nov 26, 2025

CAT 2025

Closed

KCC ITM Greater Noida

Feb 2026 (expected)

Apr 2026

CAT 2025, CMAT, UPTAC

Registration opens soon

IMI Delhi

Oct 2025

Dec 12, 2025

CAT 2025, XAT 2026

Open

FORE Delhi

Oct 2025

Dec 15, 2025

CAT 2025, XAT 2026

Open

IIT Delhi DMS

Jan 2026

(post-CAT)

Jan 31, 2026

CAT 2025

Upcoming

IIFT Delhi

Oct 2025

Nov 28, 2025

CAT 2025

Closed

XLRI Jamshedpur

Jul 10, 2025

Dec 5, 2025

XAT 2026

Closing soon

SPJIMR Mumbai

Sep 2025

Jan 10, 2026

CAT 2025, XAT

Open

MDI Gurgaon

Sep 2025

Dec 5, 2025

(R1)

CAT 2025, XAT 2026

Open

Christ University NCR

Oct 2025

Jan 25, 2026

CAT/own test

Open


MBA Admission 2026 Dates

 

MBA admission 2026 dates also varies depending on major entrance examination dates as the MBA college commencement dates revolve around these exams. Following are the MBA entrance exam dates for next session:

 

Exam

Registration Period

Exam Date

Result Declaration

Key Acceptors

CAT 2025

Aug-Sep 2025

Nov 30, 2025

2nd week Dec 2025

IIMs, FMS Delhi, KCC-ITM

XAT 2026

Jul-Dec 2025

Jan 4, 2026

Mid-Jan 2026

XLRI, IMI, XIMB

CMAT 2026

Oct-Dec 2025

(expected)

Jan 2026

(expected)

Feb 2026

BIMTECH, JIMS

NMAT 2025

Aug-Oct 2025

Nov 5 - Dec 20, 2025

Within 48 hrs

NMIMS, KJ Somaiya

 

Candidates are required to know all the important MBA admission 2026 dates these dates ensure MBA Admission 2026 processes continue efficiently. The last date of MBA applications form is closing progressively from November 2025 to January 2026 at most colleges. Candidates are advised to always verify from official sites for the admission process.

 

Step-by-Step MBA Admission 2026 Process

The MBA admission 2026 process unfolds in the following stages:

 

  1. First, register for MBA entrance exam like CAT or XAT by their deadlines.
  2. Post-results, apply to target management colleges, many portals opened in November 2025.
  3. Short listing by the colleges start on the bases of entrance scores (70-90% weightage), academics, and work experience.
  4. Selected candidates are called for face to face written ability test (WAT), group discussion (GD), and personal interview (PI) from January to March 2026.
  5. Final merit lists emerge by April-May 2026, followed by fee payment and orientation in June-July.

 

The eligibility for MBA admission demands a bachelor's degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories), plus the minimum age of 20yrs for some institutes. The direct admissions through graduation merit or management quota starts early due to limited seats and skips the entrance exams result but prioritize academic merit.

 

MBA Admission 2026 Delhi NCR Focus

 

MBA admission 2026 Delhi hosts elite management institutes with applications live now. The top college like FMS Delhi’s CAT deadline was on November 28, 2025; IMI Delhi extends till December 2025. IIT Delhi DMS starts applications on November 30, 2025, Personal Interview on March 2026.

 

Following are the top Delhi NCR picks are:

 

Sr.No.

College Name

MBA Admission 2026 Dates

Total Fees (INR Lakh)

Average placement package (LPA)

1

FMS Delhi

Closed (Nov 28, 2025); PI(Personal interview) Feb-Mar 2026

2.43

34.10

2

IIT Delhi DMS

Open till Dec 2025; PI Mar 2026

12.00

25.00

3

IMI New Delhi

Open till Dec 12, 2025; PI Jan-Mar 2026

23.54

17.50

4

KCC ITM (Delhi NCR)

UPTAC Jun 2026; CAT apps open

2.60

15.00

5

FORE School

Open till Dec 15, 2025; GD/PI Jan 2026

20.77

15.52

6

IIFT Delhi

Closed; Final rounds Dec 2025

21.77

28.50

7

JBS Delhi (JIMS)

Open; CMAT rounds till Feb 2026

9.50

8.50

8

Shiv Nadar Delhi Campus

Open till Jan 2026; PI (Personal Interview) Feb-Mar

15.00

12.00

 

KCC ITM ranks high in Delhi NCR for affordability and placements. There is only 120 seats, filled by UPTAC counseling from June 2026. The college is most ideal for freshers with internship, dual specialization, industrial mentorship and training mandates.

 

Eligibility and Preparation Tips

 

Securing MBA Admission 2026 requires strategic preparation starting from six months prior. Candidates beyond 50% marks in graduation, decent academic scores in 10th/12th scores and work experience is preferred in most of the prestigious MBA colleges. Delhi NCR colleges also values CAT percentiles above 85 plus for admission calls.

 

For CAT preparations start with daily mock tests, early focus on quantitative, verbal, and reasoning topics of CAT core syllabus. After admissions learner’s can build their profiles with certifications in analytics or leadership skills. MBA colleges like KCC-ITM also offer various scholarships to cover up to 100% for meritorious students.

 

Fees, Placements, and ROI Comparison

 

Delhi NCR MBA fees ranges from INR 2 Lakh (FMS) to 26 Lakh (FORE), with the availability of affordable colleges like KCC ITM at INR 2.6 Lakh total. Delhi NCR College’s offers top placements packages mentioned below:

 

College

Total fees (INR)

Average package (LPA)

Top recruiters

FMS Delhi

2 Lakh

34

McKinsey, BCG

MDI Gurgaon

26 Lakh

17

Deloitte, HDFC

IMI Delhi

22 Lakh

17

Accenture, ICICI

KCC ITM

2.6 Lakh

15

Max, Nestle, HCL, ICIC and various top MNCs and startups​

FORE

18 Lakh

15

KPMG, ITC

 

The best value ROI (return on investment) is offered by the KCC ITM in Greater Noida.

 

Common Challenges

 

The delays in MBA admission 2026 dates plague unnecessary stress on applicants, so counter this by filling the application for multiple-examination strategy (CAT+XAT).

 

Delhi traffic is also a main concern for students travelling. So opt for NCR gems like KCC ITM that have modern labs and trending specializations.

 

Low scores in CAT entrance exam is another challenge. Target top colleges like KCC-ITM that offer admission on the basis og other entrance examination like MAT/CMAT or have few seats for direct admission on the bases of graduation scores.

 

Final Takeaway

 

In conclusion, securing a spot in MBA Admission 2026 demands proactive planning from August 2025. MBA admission 2026 Delhi NCR vibrant scene amplifies opportunities and competition for candidates.

 

Stay updated on MBA admission 2026 dates, track official admission portals daily, leverage coaching if needed, and stay resilient amid competition. The smooth MBA admission 2026 process transforms dreams into achievements in creating successful management journey that awaits in July 2026.

 

FAQs

 

Q1: When is the exact MBA admission 2026 start date?

Ans1: The MBA admission 2026 start during August 2025 for most of the registrations process.

 

Q2: What about MBA admission 2026 Delhi deadlines?

Ans2: The MBA admission 2026 Delhi for top colleges like FMS, FORE starts from November-December 2025.

 

Q3: Outline MBA admission 2026 process briefly?

Ans3: The MBA admission 2026 process begins from entrance exam → Application → WAT/GD/PI → Merit list and final call for admission.

 

Q4: How to apply for MBA admission 2026 Delhi?

Ans4: For MBA admission through CAT/IPU CET, candidates need to check official website for CAT https//iimcat.ac.in and for IPU CET ipu.ac.in.

 

Q5: What are MBA admissions 2026 dates for IIMs?

Ans5: The MBA admission for IIMs is post-CAT results in January-March 2026 shortlists.

 

Q6: Is work experience mandatory for MBA Admission 2026?

Ans6: No, for regular MBA programs, but preferred for executive MBAs.

 

Q7: What documents are needed for MBA admission 2026 Delhi?

Ans7: The documents for MBA admission is transcripts, scorecards, ID, SOP, LORs and upload online early.

 

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