Are Executive MBA Programs in India Better Than Regular MBA/PGDM?

Have Executive MBA Programs in India started to catch-up with two-year, full-time MBA/PGDM Programs? What is the difference between MBA and EMBA (Executive MBA) and which program is better in terms of placements?

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Whether students opt for an EMBA or an MBA program depends primarily on the phase of their life that they are in. According to the latest study by a leading Indian daily, the Executive MBA programs in India seems to be overshadowing the regular MBA (PGDM/PGPM) programs in terms of placement opportunities.

MBA vs (EMBA) Executive MBA  Program in India

While there are actually no rules to this, EMBA applicants tend to be older and seek to enrich their existing knowledge with tangible, immediate takeaways. On the other hand, full-time MBA or PGDM candidates are at an earlier phase in their career and have a focus on the basic skill set along with exploring new career opportunities.

Both MBA and EMBA are equal in terms of value on graduation but they are delivered in entirely different ways. While most of Executive MBA programs in India range from 12-15 months, the MBA/PGDM/PGPM programs are of 20-24 months of duration.

Is Executive MBA Better Than Regular MBA?

According to The Economic Times, executive MBA programs in India (EMBA’s) from topmost business schools are a great hunting ground for recruiters.

“Recruiters, overall, are very keen to recruit from such programmes as they offer a skilled pool with robust experience as well as rigorous management education.

In case of large organisations, students are typically recruited at the mid-management level while smaller organisations from time to time recruit students for senior-/ CXO-level roles,”

If we look at IIM Calcutta’s Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPEX), the one-year program for professionals with more than five years of work experience. According to the IIM-C’s website, the average salary for 2017-18 batch stood at Rs 24.45 lakh, compared to Rs 89.25 lakh for PGPEX student.

At Business schools like IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Calcutta and XLRI, among others, the average salary offered to executive MBA students has been upwards of Rs 18 lakh per annum, with top salaries close to Rs 90 lakh.

However, in various other leading business schools providing Executive MBA Programs like MDI-Gurgaon in Delhi / NCR Region and SP Jain in Mumbai are yet the match the placements offered in their flagship programs.

Executive MBA Programs – Is It Worth the Investment?

Many aspiring aspirants have opted for an executive MBA program to move up in their career ladder but now certificates have also become a stepping stone to boost their career.

The executive MBA program provides employees with the accreditation of the qualification that can be valued and trusted by the potential recruiters and can have a significant impact on career development.

Senior-level officials are now showing keen interest to upgrade their skills, and use those skills to explore a better job opportunity. One of the primary reasons for the increasing popularity of executive MBA programs in India is the institutes’ brand image.

The increasing popularity of executive MBA programs in India will continue to increase the number of students in the industry over the years. The number of customizable programs is forecasted to grow in future as more institutes have designed to customize these courses.

Self-funding is anticipated to dominate the type of funding in the executive MBA programs in India as the management aspirants will join the course for honing their skills and for better career opportunities in future. The decrease in corporate sponsorships will lead to more students self-funding their EMBA program and negotiating for scholarships.

Best Executive MBA Programs in India

Indian School of Business (ISB) is by far considered the best business school in India for executive MBA programs. In of the rankings, ISB was ranked as world’s top 30 business schools by a leading media organization.

ISB’s Global Executive MBA (PGPMAX) is a 15-month program, designed to meet higher career aspirations of Experienced Professionals /Entrepreneurs with a minimum of 10 to 25 years of work experience.

The principal objective of the programme is to prepare professionals to be truly global business leaders and career advancement. It aims to develop analytical, strategic and leadership skills that are essential to navigate in today’s evolving business world.