Ten Indian B-schools with unconventional MBA and PGDM programs are included in this carefully curated list. These courses offer exciting opportunities for professionals who are prepared for the future, regardless of their goals—innovating, digitizing, or specializing.
Beyond the traditional MBA programs in marketing, finance, or human resources, the management landscape in India is undergoing significant change. In response to market trends like artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and green business, top B-schools across the country are stepping up to offer specialized, state-of-the-art programs. Whether your objective is to innovate, digitize, or specialize, these unconventional courses offer exciting opportunities for workers who are prepared for the future.
Ten Indian B-schools that offer non-traditional Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programs are included in this carefully curated list.
These cutting-edge programs, which include startup-focused courses, industry-specific MBAs in agribusiness, healthcare, or aviation, and AI-infused business education, are completely changing management education in India. It’s worth looking into the distinctive MBA/PGDM programs offered by these ten universities.
The XLRI in Delhi NCR
Admission requirements: Candidates must have received at least 50% of the possible points for a bachelor’s degree in any field from an Indian university that has been accredited. Admission is decided by the results of the XAT, CAT, MAT, ATMA, CMAT, GMAT, or CUET.
Which classes are offered? XLRI Delhi NCR offers a special two-year full-time program called the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Development, which has been approved by the AICTE. For those who want to start their own businesses, the course blends business management with incubation, mentorship, and experiential learning through live projects and networking events.
Additional details Beginning on June 15, the program provides formal, sustained support to students who wish to launch their own businesses.
The Great Lakes Institute of Management in Chennai and Gurgaon Having a recognized bachelor’s degree, working for a family business or as an entrepreneur, and having valid CAT, GMAT, XAT, NMAT, or GREAT results are prerequisites for admission to the PGPM-FBE program. The Chennai PGPM program also requires two to ten years of work experience.
Which classes are offered? Great Lakes offers a Post Graduate Program in Management – Family Business and Entrepreneurship (PGPM-FBE) at its Gurgaon location. Meanwhile, the PGPM program in Chennai provides two specializations in innovative domains like product management and data science.
Additional details Classes on both campuses typically start in May and focus on innovation-led business change.
MIT-World Peace University in Pune
Admission requirements: When assessing a candidate’s overall profile for admission, factors such as academic records, entrance exam results, online group discussions and interviews, and relevant work experience are taken into account.
Which classes are offered? The institution offers specialized MBA programs in Agri Business Management, Hospital and Healthcare Management, and Innovation and Design (for working people) to match business skills with industry knowledge.
Additional details
Classes for the class of 2025 are anticipated to begin the first week of August.
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), Chennai Passing the HITS Entrance Test or national exams like the CAT, MAT, XAT, or TANCET, as well as having an undergraduate degree that has been approved by the UGC with at least 50% of the possible points, are prerequisites for admission to Chennai’s Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science.
Which classes are offered? Specialized MBA programs in Business Analytics (in collaboration with IBM), Green Business (in collaboration with Trier University, Germany), and Aviation Management (with options for a semester overseas) are offered by HITS. It also offers specialist MBAs in areas like Hospital Management, Sports Management, Media & Entertainment, Logistics & Supply Chain, and Hotel & Tourism.
Additional details The academic year for the university’s MBA program begins in August, and certain programs provide opportunities for international immersion.
Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh To be admitted, MBA candidates at the University of Shoolini in Himachal Pradesh must pass exams like the SMART test, GMAT, CAT, XAT, MAT, and CMAT. A bachelor’s degree with at least 55% of the possible points is also required. For undergraduate programs, admission test results and a 50% grade on the 10+2 are necessary.
Which classes are offered? Shoolini offers graduate and undergraduate programs. Among the distinctive undergraduate programs are BBA programs in computer science and entrepreneurship, business analytics, and aviation. Among the non-traditional MBA programs offered at the postgraduate level are Pharma & Healthcare, Digital Marketing, FinTech, and Retail.
Additional details New student classes are expected to start in July 2025, while continuing batches resume in February 2025.
Woxsen University, Hyderabad Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 55% in 10+2, while MBA programs require a recognized bachelor’s degree with at least 60% of the possible points. Standardized test results, including those from the CAT, XAT, NMAT, and Woxsen’s own Aptitude Test (WAT), are acceptable.
Which classes are offered? Woxsen offers both integrated and solo BBA programs in domains such as digital marketing, financial services, and artificial intelligence and data science. It provides both seasoned executives and postgraduate students with unique MBA programs in business analytics.
Additional details The MBA (BA) session starts in July 2025, while both the BBA and MBA (Working Professionals) programs begin in August.
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