About ISB Mohali
The Indian School of Business operates two campuses โ Hyderabad and Mohali โ running a single, unified programme. The Mohali campus, located in Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, delivers the same flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) as Hyderabad, with the same faculty pool, the same curriculum, and the same placement process.
The PGP is a one-year, full-time residential programme designed for professionals with prior work experience, and is widely regarded as equivalent in rigour to a global one-year MBA. ISB holds triple international accreditation โ AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA โ placing it among a small group of globally recognised business schools.
Important: Campus Allocation
Applicants do not choose between Hyderabad and Mohali. You apply to ISB as a single institution, and campus allocation is decided by the school. Both campuses share one integrated placement process, one recruiter pool, and one published placement report โ there is no campus-wise difference in outcomes.
Is There a Management Quota or Direct Admission at ISB Mohali?
โ ๏ธ No. ISB Does Not Have a Management Quota.
ISB Mohali does not offer any management quota, NRI quota, institutional quota, or paid direct admission seat โ at any price. Admission is strictly merit-based, evaluated on your GMAT or GRE score, academic record, work experience, essays, recommendations and interview performance. There is no donation route, no capitation seat, and no agent who can secure you a seat outside this process.
If anyone offers you a "confirmed ISB seat" in exchange for a fee, it is a scam. Every year, families lose lakhs of rupees to this exact promise. Please verify any such claim directly with ISB before parting with money.
We're stating this plainly because a large number of people search for "ISB management quota" every year, and most pages they land on are happy to take their money. Shiksha-Guru does not sell ISB seats, because no legitimate consultancy can.
What we do instead: we help you build an application strong enough to be admitted on merit โ profile assessment, GMAT/GRE strategy, essay development, recommender guidance and interview preparation. That is a real service with real results, and it's what actually gets candidates into ISB.
Eligibility Criteria โ ISB PGP
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university. No specific stream or percentage bar is prescribed. |
| Entrance Exam | Valid GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE score. CAT is not accepted for the flagship PGP. |
| Work Experience | Minimum 24 months of full-time work experience by the programme start date. The admitted class averages 5โ6 years. |
| Application Components | Online application form, essays, two recommendations, academic transcripts, resume, and test scorecard. |
| Final Stage | Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview. Final offers are based on the complete profile. |
On the GMAT Cutoff
ISB does not publish an official GMAT cutoff. The admitted class median typically falls in the 710โ730 range. However, ISB evaluates holistically โ a strong work profile, clear career progression and well-written essays can offset a score slightly below median, while a high score alone does not guarantee an admit. A strong score does improve your position for scholarship consideration.
Other Programmes at ISB Mohali
| Programme | Entrance Requirement | Work Experience |
|---|---|---|
| PGP in Management (flagship) | GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE | Minimum 24 months |
| PGP PRO (for working professionals) | GMAT / GRE | Significant experience required |
| PGP MAX (senior executives) | No entrance test required | Extensive senior-level experience |
| PGP MFAB (family business) | As specified by programme | Not mandatory |
| FPM / Executive FPM (doctoral) | GMAT / GRE / CAT accepted | 8+ years for Executive FPM |
Application Deadlines โ Class of 2028
ISB PGP admissions for the Class of 2028 (entering April 2027) run across three application rounds. Each round is a submission window rather than a sequential evaluation stage โ applications submitted after one deadline automatically roll into the next round.
| Round | Application Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 20 September 2026 | Best round for scholarship consideration |
| Round 2 | 6 December 2026 | Applications after R1 roll into this round |
| Round 3 | 17 January 2027 | Final round โ no applications accepted after this date |
Candidates applying with GMAT/GRE may submit unofficial scores if the test was taken on or before the respective deadline, by uploading the test confirmation email and entering approximate scores in the application form. Always verify current dates on the official ISB admissions portal before applying.
Recommended Application Timeline
- Book and prepare for your GMAT/GRE at least 4โ6 months before your target round
- Get an honest profile evaluation to identify gaps and positioning angles
- Identify and brief your recommenders early โ give them 4โ6 weeks minimum
- Draft, review and refine your essays over multiple iterations
- Submit well ahead of the deadline to avoid portal issues
- Begin interview preparation as soon as you submit, not after the shortlist
ISB Mohali Fee Structure
The PGP fee is a single consolidated programme fee covering tuition, course materials and residential accommodation for the one-year duration. It varies based on your accommodation choice.
| Accommodation Type | Total Programme Fee (Class of 2028) |
|---|---|
| Shared Accommodation | โน40,46,520 |
| Studio Accommodation | โน44,45,000 |
Fees across all ISB Mohali programmes range approximately from โน11 Lakh to โน53 Lakh depending on the programme. Figures are revised each intake cycle โ confirm current fees on the official ISB website before making financial plans.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Merit-based scholarships โ awarded to applicants with exceptional GMAT/GRE scores, academic records or demonstrated leadership
- Need-based scholarships โ available for candidates with financial constraints, requiring income documentation
- Education loans โ ISB has tie-ups with several lenders offering loans covering the full programme fee
- Applying in Round 1 generally gives the strongest position for scholarship consideration
Placements
ISB runs a single integrated placement process across both campuses. Recruiters participate in one unified pool, and official placement reports do not break results down by campus โ Mohali students access the same recruiter base and the same offer pool as Hyderabad students.
Leading Recruiting Sectors
How Shiksha-Guru Helps You Get Into ISB
We cannot buy you a seat โ nobody can. What we can do is materially improve the application you submit. Here's what that looks like:
Honest Profile Evaluation
A frank assessment of where your profile stands against the admitted class โ including whether ISB is a realistic target this cycle or worth a year of strengthening.
GMAT / GRE Strategy
Choosing the right test for your strengths, setting a realistic target score, planning prep timelines and deciding whether a retake is worth it.
Essay Development
Working through multiple drafts to find the narrative that actually distinguishes you โ not template essays, which admissions committees spot immediately.
Recommender Briefing
Guidance on choosing recommenders and briefing them properly, so their letters reinforce rather than repeat your own application.
Interview Preparation
Mock interviews modelled on the ISB format, with structured feedback on content, delivery and handling difficult questions.
Backup School Strategy
Building a balanced portfolio of applications across comparable B-schools so you're not left with a single point of failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a management quota or direct admission at ISB Mohali?
No. ISB Mohali does not offer any management quota, NRI quota or paid direct admission. Selection is strictly merit-based, considering academic records, GMAT/GRE scores, work experience and interview performance. Anyone offering a guaranteed ISB seat for a fee is running a scam.
Can I get into ISB Mohali without an entrance exam?
Not for the flagship PGP. A valid GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE score is mandatory. The PGP MAX programme for senior executives does not require an entrance test, but it has substantially higher work experience requirements.
Does ISB accept CAT scores?
CAT is not accepted for the flagship PGP programme. It is accepted for the FPM (doctoral) programme, alongside GMAT, GRE and JRF.
What GMAT score do I need for ISB Mohali?
ISB does not publish an official cutoff. The admitted class median typically sits in the 710โ730 range. ISB evaluates holistically, so a strong overall profile matters alongside the score.
Can I choose the Mohali campus over Hyderabad?
No. You apply to ISB as a single institution and campus allocation is determined by the school, not the applicant. Both campuses share the same curriculum, faculty pool and placement process.
Do Mohali students get the same placements as Hyderabad students?
Yes. ISB runs one integrated placement process across both campuses, with a single recruiter pool and no campus-wise breakdown in official placement reports.
Is work experience mandatory for ISB PGP?
Yes โ a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience by the programme start date is required for the flagship PGP. The admitted class averages 5โ6 years.
Who do I contact for ISB application guidance?
Call our admissions guidance team at 9742479101 for a free profile evaluation and an honest assessment of your ISB prospects.
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Disclaimer: Fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria and placement figures mentioned above are collated from publicly available sources and are subject to change each admission cycle. Always verify current information on the official ISB website (isb.edu) before making decisions. Shiksha-Guru.com provides application guidance and preparation support only โ we do not, and cannot, guarantee admission to ISB or any institution. ISB admits solely on merit through its published application process. This page is published for informational purposes and is not an official Indian School of Business page.