Best MBA HR colleges In India: Types, Eligibility and Admission Process and More
Best MBA HR colleges In India: Managing and retaining top talent in the workplace is increasingly complex, so the demand for MBA graduates specialising in Human Resources (HR) is increasing each year in the corporate sector.
As organisations recognize the importance of effective human resource management, HR professionals with MBAs seek to direct the challenges of talent acquisition, employee management, and retention in today’s fast-paced environment. Consequently, opportunities for MBA HR graduates have been seen as significant, particularly in campus recruitment at business schools.
Types of MBA in Human Resource Management Programs in India
Several MBA colleges across India offer MBA in HR as part of their specialised MBA/PGDM curriculum. These institutions provide a variety of MBA HR programs in different formats to cater to diverse needs.
Options include two-year full-time programs, one-year full-time programs, executive part-time courses, and distance/online MBA HR programs. Generally, the eligibility criteria and fees for full-time MBA HR programs are higher than part-time or online alternatives, giving you the flexibility to choose the program that best suits your circumstances. Below is a summary of the different types of MBA HR programs available at various colleges:
MBA in HR: Type of Programs at a Glance
Pursuing an MBA in Human Resource Management offers diverse options, including two-year full-time, one-year full-time, executive part-time, and distance/online programs. Admission typically requires a Bachelor’s degree, with specific eligibility and exam requirements varying by program. Leading institutions include XLRI, IIM Indore, Great Lakes, and IGNOU.
Full-time programs usually require entrance exams, while distance courses often have no exam requirement. Choose the program that best suits your career goals and professional experience.
Program |
Admission Eligibility | Exam or No Exam Requirement | Top MBA Colleges for HR in India |
2 Years Full-Time MBA/PGDM in HR Management | Bachelor’s Degree with 50% Marks | CAT/XAT/NMAT/SNAP | XLRI, TISS, IIM Indore, SCMHRD, MDI, NMIMS |
1 Year Full-Time MBA in HR | Graduation with Work Experience | CAT/XAT & Other Exams | IIMB, Great Lakes, IMTG |
Executive part-time MBA with specialisation in HR | Graduation with Work Experience | Few B-schools Need Entrance Exam Scores | FMS, XLRI, MDI, SIBM Pune |
Distance/Online MBA in HR | Graduation | No Entrance Exam Required | IGNOU, IMT, SCDL, NMIMS |
Why Pursue an MBA HR Specialization? Key Reasons
The MBA in Human Resource Management has become an essential course for several compelling reasons:
- Enhanced Management Skills: This program cultivates advanced management skills, enabling professionals to effectively leverage the talent and skills of individuals within organizations.
- Comprehensive Workforce Management: An MBA in HR equips candidates with the essential tools for hiring, training, and managing the workforce, focusing on the crucial ‘human’ aspect of business. This ensures organisations have a skilled and knowledgeable team aligned with their goals.
- Development of Critical Competencies: Offered by top MBA colleges, the program is designed to develop the critical skills and knowledge necessary for navigating complex business and HR challenges.
- Alignment with Industry Standards: MBA HR curricula often align with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR professional association, ensuring global recognition and relevance.
- Insight into People Management: The coursework provides valuable insights into contemporary people management challenges and practices, preparing graduates to excel in diverse sectors.
Read More: Top MBA Colleges in India – Complete List of the Best MBA Colleges in India
Best MBA HR colleges In India with Exclusive 2 Years Full-Time (Top 10)
If you are looking for the Best MBA HR colleges In India, the top management institutes with MBA HR Courses are listed below. The list below includes only those MBA Colleges that offer exclusive and separate MBA HR Courses instead of electives or specialisations only.
SR No. | MBA in HR Colleges | HR Course |
1. | XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur (XLRI) (PGDBM + PGDHRM) | Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Human Resource Management (HRM) – 2 years full-time |
2. | Management Development Institute (MDI)
(PGDM + PGDM-IB + PGDM-HRM) |
The Post Graduate Diploma in Management – (PGDM-HRM) 2 years full time |
3. | Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai (TISS) (HRM) | Master of Arts (Human Resource Management & Labour Relations) (HRM & LR) 2 years full-time |
4. | Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I) PGP-HRM) | Post Graduate Program in Management (Human Resources) 2 years full time. |
5. | Indian Institute Of Management, Tiruchirappalli (IIM-Trichy) (PGPM + PGPM-HR) | Post Graduate Programme in Human Resources (PGP-HR) 2 years full-time |
6. | SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai (MBA HR) | Master of Business Administration (HR) -2 years full time. |
7. | Symbiosis Centre For Management And Human Resource Development (SCMHRD Pune) (MBA) | MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM) – 2 years full-time |
8. | Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar (IIM Amritsar) (MBA + MBA BA + MBA HRM) | Master of Business Administration [MBA] (Human Resource Management) – 2 years full-time |
9. | Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi (IIM-Ranchi) (MBA-HR) | MBA-HRM (2 Years Full time) |
10. | Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) (MHRD) | Master of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is a 2 years course offered at the PG level. |
Top 10 MBA Colleges with HR Specialization in General MBA Program
The list below includes the top MBA Colleges that offer an MBA in HR as one of the specialisations in their flagship MBA programmes.
SR. No. |
MBA College with HR Specialization |
Title of Flagship MBA Programme with HR Specialization |
1. | IIM Ahmedabad | PGP (MBA) with specialisation in Human Resource Management |
2. | IIM Calcutta | MBA with specialisation in Human Resource Management |
3. | IIM Lucknow | PGP with specialisation in Human Resource Management |
4. | FMS Delhi | MBA with specialisation in OB & Human Resource Management |
5. | IMT Ghaziabad | PGDM with a Specialization in Human Resource Management |
6. | NITIE: IIM Mumbai | Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Management (PGDIM) with specialisation in GM, OB & HR |
7. | DoMS-IIT Delhi | MBA with Specialization in HR & OB |
8. | SCMHRD Pune | MBA with Specialization in HR |
9. | SJMSOM-IIT Bombay | MBA with specialisation in elective courses on Human Resources and Organisational Behavior |
10. | IIM Rohtak | PGP with specialisation in OB & Human Resource Management |
Best MBA HR colleges In India with One Year Full-Time MBA in HR
Top IIMs and other MBA colleges also offer a one-year Executive full-time MBA with a specialisation in HR. The key eligibility requirement is 3+ years of work experience.
SR. No. |
MBA College with HR Specialization |
Title of 1 Year MBA Programme with HR Specialization |
1. | IIM Bangalore | EPGP (MBA) with specialization in Human Resource Management (1 year full time programme) |
2. | Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai | PGPM with specialization in HR & OB (1 Year full time program) |
3. | IMT Ghaziabad | PGDM-ExP with Specialization in HR (18 Months full time program with International Immersion |
Best MBA HR colleges In India in HR Executive Part-Time Program
Part-time MBA in HR is a good choice to pursue an MBA if you are a working professional and do not have time to join a full-time program. Career growth through Part-Time MBA in India is rising fast and the Best Part-Time MBA in HR colleges are MDI, IMT, Symbiosis, and NMIMS amongst others.
A list of top MBA colleges offering part time MBA with specialization in HR is as below:
College |
Program Name |
IIM Bangalore | Two years PGPEM with HR Specialization |
IIM Lucknow | 2 years PGPM-WMP |
IIM Indore | 2 years PGPMX at Mumbai campus |
IIM Tiruchirappalli (Chennai Campus) | 2 years PGPBM |
IIM Kashipur (Dehradun campus) | 2 years MBA WX |
XLRI Jamshedpur | PGDM (BM) –Part Time |
FMS Delhi | MBA Executive |
IMT Ghaziabad | PGDM Part Time |
School of Business Management –NMIMS, Mumbai | MBA Part time |
SIBM Pune | MBA Executive |
Best MBA HR colleges In India with Distance/Online MBA in HR
Looking at the growing interest, especially among working professionals, in pursuing an MBA in Distance/Online mode, many top MBA colleges, including IIMs, XLRI, and others, have launched quality MBA programs with HR specialisation that are considered as good as a classroom MBA and lead to skill grooming, experiential learning, and case studies as you would have experienced in classroom courses, but at a much lower fee.
Online MBA/PGDM College | Online MBA/PGDM program offered with HR Specialization | Program Duration |
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | MBA | 2 Years to 5 Years |
IIM Ahmedabad | e-Mode EPGP | 2 Years |
IIM Shillong | MBA WE Online | 2 Years |
XLRI Jamshedpur | PGDBM-Online | 2 Years |
MDI Gurgaon | PGDM-Online | 2 Years |
Great Lakes Chennai | PGDM-Online | 2 Years |
IMT-Centre for Distance Learning (IMT-CDL) Ghaziabad | Online PGDM | 2 Years |
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), Pune | Online MBA in 16 Areas | 2 Years |
BIMTECH Greater Noida (Delhi NCR) | PGDM-Online | 2 Years |
Welingkar Institute of Management (We School) Mumbai | Online PGDM in 18 Areas | 2 Years |
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida | PGDM Online | 2 Years |
Best MBA HR colleges In India : Eligibility and Admission Process
The admission process for the MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM) program at top institutions typically involves an entrance examination. Below is a structured outline of the eligibility criteria and admission steps:
- Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must possess a minimum of 50% marks in their undergraduate degree from a recognised institution.
- Entrance Examination: Applicants should apply for and take the entrance test recognised by their chosen institute. For instance, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) accept the CAT, XLRI accepts the XAT, SCMHRD considers SNAP, and TISS requires TISSNET scores.
- Admission Cut-offs: The cut-offs for MBA in HR programs are generally lower than those for flagship MBA programs, yet they provide a comparable learning experience and quality of placements.
- Interview Round: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a final selection round, often including a personal interview.
- Course Fee Payment: Upon successful selection, candidates must complete the fee payment for the MBA HR course to secure their enrollment.
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Conclusion
In today’s competitive corporate world, the importance of effective human resource management cannot be overstated. The rising complexity of talent acquisition and employee retention has increased the demand for MBA graduates specialising in Human Resources. With a range of program formats available—including full-time, part-time, and online options—candidates can select a pathway that aligns with their professional goals and personal circumstances.
Top institutions across India offer well-structured MBA HR programs that equip graduates with essential skills and knowledge, preparing them for the multifaceted challenges of HR management. Furthermore, the alignment of many curricula with global standards, such as those set by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), enhances the international recognition of these programs.
Ultimately, pursuing an MBA in HR positions individuals for rewarding careers and empowers them to drive organisational success through effective people management strategies. With numerous opportunities for growth and advancement in this field, an MBA in HR is a valuable investment in one’s future.