ISB&M Pune admissions for the 2026-28 batch follow one admission route: a valid national entrance exam score followed by GD&PI. The institute does not conduct a separate entrance examination, and there is no direct admission or management quota route.

The accepted exams are CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, MAT, and ATMA. The institute states that entrance exam performance contributes 25% to the final decision, while academic record and GD&PI together account for 65%, and work experience contributes 10%. The application fee ranges from INR 500 to INR 1,800 depending on the application window, and selected candidates must pay INR 1,10,000 online to confirm the seat. The institute has also stated that it has not authorized any outside consultant or agent for admissions.

Apply Now: ISB&M Pune Admissions 2026

ISB&M Pune Admissions Dates

The table below includes only ongoing or upcoming admission and entrance exam timelines available from the article and official sources.

Event Official Date
Final Degree Submission Deadline September 30, 2026
MAT September 2026 PBT Last Date for Registration September 7, 2026
MAT September 2026 PBT Exam Date September 13, 2026
MAT September 2026 CBT Last Date for Registration September 14, 2026
MAT September 2026 CBT Exam Date September 20, 2026
MAT September 2026 Score Availability Last week of September 2026
XAT 2027 Registration Closes December 6, 2026
XAT 2027 Admit Card Download December 20, 2026 (Tentative)
XAT 2027 Exam Date January 03, 2027, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
GMAT Exam Scheduling Available year-round

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Note: The application fee ranges from INR 500 to INR 1,800 depending on the application window, and the amount is non-refundable.

ISB&M Pune Admissions

Admissions to ISB&M Pune for the 2026-28 batch are completely entrance-based and are conducted online. The institute accepts applicants from different academic backgrounds, but selection happens only through the approved national entrance tests followed by the institute's evaluation stages.

The following table summarizes the eligibility conditions stated for the PGDM admission cycle.

Criterion Requirement
Minimum Qualification Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university
General Category Minimum 50% aggregate marks
Reserved Category Minimum 45% aggregate marks
Nationality Indian nationals only
Final Year Students Eligible to apply and must submit final results by September 30, 2026
Entrance Exam Score Mandatory, at least one of CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, MAT, or ATMA
Reservation Policy No seat reservation in intake, with 5% relaxation in academic percentage for reserved categories

One important point from the article: Work experience is not compulsory for eligibility. Freshers and experienced candidates can both apply, although work experience contributes 10% in the final selection process.

ISB&M Pune Specializations

ISB&M Pune offers six PGDM specializations in a dual-specialization format. The article describes this as a structure in which students graduate with depth in two fields rather than one.

PGDM Specialization Who It Is Best Suited For
Marketing Management Students targeting sales, brand management, digital marketing, and FMCG
Finance Management Students targeting banking, BFSI, investment, and corporate finance
Human Resource Management Students targeting people analytics, talent acquisition, and organisational behaviour
Logistics & Supply Chain Management Open only to Science, Engineering, and B.Pharma graduates, for careers in operations, logistics, and procurement
Business Analytics Students targeting data-driven roles in consulting, fintech, and e-commerce
Media & Communication Management Students targeting media, advertising, public relations, and entertainment

Note: The PGDM in Logistics & Supply Chain Management is available only to Science, Engineering, and B.Pharma graduates. The remaining specializations are open to graduates from any discipline.

ISB&M Pune Selection Process

ISB&M Pune states that the final decision is profile-based and not based only on the entrance score. The institute evaluates written test performance, academics, GD&PI, and work experience before issuing admission offers.

Selection Parameter Weightage
GD & PI, Group Discussion and Personal Interview 40%
Written Test or Entrance Exam Score 25%
Academic Performance, Class 10, 12, and Graduation 25%
Work Experience 10%

What ISB&M Specifically Looks for in a Candidate

The institute describes its evaluation model as holistic. According to the article, selection is not decided only by entrance scores. It also considers whether a student can handle a competitive academic environment, adapt to professional learning, and build a successful career in leading companies. The article further states that a moderate entrance score does not automatically rule out admission when a candidate performs strongly in academics, work experience, and GD&PI.

How to Apply to ISB&M Pune 2026

  1. Secure a valid score in at least one accepted entrance exam: CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, MAT, or ATMA.
  2. Submit the online application by filling in personal, academic, and work experience details, uploading the required documents, and paying the application fee of INR 500 to INR 1,800 depending on the application window.
  3. Wait for shortlist communication. The article says shortlisted candidates are informed by SMS, email, and courier or speed-post, and the shortlist is also displayed on the institute website.
  4. Attend GD&PI in the allotted city with original documents and photocopies.
  5. If selected, accept the offer letter and pay INR 1,10,000 online within the specified period. This amount is treated as the first tuition installment.
  6. Apply separately for hostel accommodation.
  7. Submit original documents at programme commencement, with the final degree deadline fixed at September 30, 2026.

Documents Required at the Time of Admission

Applicants must carry originals and three self-attested photocopies of each of the following:

  • Class 10 marksheet and passing certificate
  • Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate
  • All graduation semester marksheets
  • Graduation degree or provisional degree certificate
  • Entrance exam scorecard, CAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, MAT, or ATMA
  • Four recent passport-size photographs
  • Valid government photo ID, Aadhaar, Passport, or Driving Licence
  • Work experience documents, if applicable, including offer letter, relieving letter, and experience certificate

GD&PI Cities and Venues 2026 for ISB&M Pune

The article lists GD&PI centres across 30+ cities for the 2026 cycle. These venue details are reproduced below as part of the provided admission schedule.

Zone City Date, 2026 Venue
East Ranchi 3rd February Hotel Chanakya BNR, Station Road, Ranchi
Jamshedpur 4th February Hotel Alcor, Bistupur, Jamshedpur
Patna 7th February Hotel Maurya, Fraser Road, Patna
Kolkata 21st February ISB&M Kolkata Campus, 330/2, Pujali Trunk Road
Bhubaneswar 24th February The Hotel Presidency, Near ISKCON Temple, Nayapalli
Guwahati 2nd March TBD
Rourkela 6th March Hotel Radhika Regency, Udit Nagar, Rourkela
North Delhi 7th & 8th February PGDAV College, University of Delhi, Lajpat Nagar
Lucknow 17th February Hotel Regenta Central, Hazratganj, Lucknow
Kanpur 18th February The Landmark Tower, The Mall, Kanpur
Jaipur 18th February Hotel Four Points by Sheraton, Tonk Road, Jaipur
Varanasi 19th February Hotel Diamond, Durgakund Road, Varanasi
Chandigarh 20th February Hotel Sunbeam, Sector 22-B, Chandigarh
Prayagraj TBD TBD
West Indore 9th February Sayaji Hotels, Vijay Nagar, Indore
Bhopal 10th February Lemon Tree Hotel, M.P. Nagar, Bhopal
Mumbai 13th February Hotel The Orchid, Mumbai
Pune, Campus Multiple Dates ISB&M Nande Campus, Pashan Sus Road
South Bangalore Multiple Dates ISB&M Bangalore Campus
Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Cochin, Trivandrum As scheduled Venues updated at isbm.ac.in/nande/gdpi

Note: The article advises checking the live GD&PI schedule before travel because venues and dates may be revised, and candidates should confirm their slot after shortlist communication.

ISB&M Pune PGDM Cutoff

The following cutoff values are stated as the minimum Round 1 shortlisting thresholds for the 2026-28 PGDM admission cycle and apply uniformly across all six specializations.

Exams PGDM, All Specializations
CAT 60 percentile
XAT 65 percentile
MAT 80 percentile
ATMA

ISB&M Pune Scholarships

ISB&M Pune offers merit scholarships totaling up to INR 20 Lakhs annually. The article states that the award is decided through selection committee evaluation at admission and continues only if the student maintains the required first-trimester PGDM CGPA.

Scholarship Tier 1

Tier 1 offers a total scholarship of INR 2 lakhs, split as INR 1 lakh per year, for the top five students who satisfy all listed criteria.

Criterion Minimum Required
CAT or XAT Percentile 80 percentile
Class 10 Score 80%
Graduation CGPA or Percentage 75% equivalent
PGDM First Trimester CGPA 5.0 and above

Scholarship Tier 2

Tier 2 provides INR 1 lakh in total, or INR 50,000 per year, for the top five students meeting all conditions.

Criterion Minimum Required
CAT or XAT Percentile 70 percentile
Class 10 Score 80%
Class 12 Score 80%
Graduation CGPA or Percentage 70% equivalent
PGDM First Trimester CGPA 5.0 and above

Scholarship Tier 3

Tier 3 offers INR 50,000 in total, or INR 25,000 per year, to the top ten students who meet all stated requirements.

Criterion Minimum Required
CAT or XAT Percentile 70 percentile
Class 10 Score 85%
Class 12 Score 80%
Graduation CGPA or Percentage 70% equivalent
PGDM First Trimester CGPA 5.0 and above

Note: All three scholarship tiers require a first-trimester PGDM CGPA of 5.0 or above. The article states that 50% of the scholarship is paid at the end of Year 1 and the remaining 50% at the end of Year 2, subject to maintaining this CGPA. It also notes that external scholarships such as AICTE Pragati, AICTE Saksham, and NSP are applied for independently through their respective government portals.

ISB&M Pune Admission FAQs

Ques. My CAT percentile is 58, but I have strong graduation marks and 2 years of work experience. Is applying to ISB&M Pune still worth considering?

Ans. Yes. The article explains that ISB&M's admission model is designed to assess the full profile and not only the entrance score. Although the CAT cutoff is stated as 60 percentile for shortlisting, the institute also gives 25% weight to academics and 10% weight to work experience. Because of that structure, a candidate with strong academics and work experience may still remain competitive despite a small gap in percentile.

Ques. If I have appeared in both CAT and XAT, do I need to file separate applications for each score?

Ans. No. The article says that only one application has to be submitted through the ISB&M admission portal. Applicants can mention all valid entrance exam scores in the same form, and the institute will consider the score that best supports the candidate's profile.

Ques. What is the structure of the GD&PI round at ISB&M Pune?

Ans. The article describes the GD&PI as a two-part evaluation. The group discussion usually includes 8-12 candidates discussing or analyzing a topic such as current affairs, business situations, or management ethics. After that, candidates face an individual interview with a panel that may include faculty members and sometimes industry representatives. The personal interview usually lasts 15-25 minutes and covers academic background, entrance exam preparation, work experience if any, specialization preference, career goals, and general awareness. Together, GD&PI account for 40% of the total selection score.

Ques. Can specialization preference be changed after the application form is submitted?

Ans. The article says that specialization preference is captured in the application form. If a candidate wants to revise it before GD&PI, the institute advises contacting admissions@isbm.ac.in as early as possible. It also states that changes become much more difficult after GD&PI or after the offer letter stage because specialization-based seat allocation is processed during and after the GD&PI cycle.

Ques. If a student's final CTC is below INR 8 LPA, does ISB&M Pune provide any guaranteed salary protection?

Ans. No formal salary guarantee is mentioned. The article says that what the institute offers is 100% placement participation through the I-CARE cell, which means support continues until every student is placed in a company, but not at any assured salary level. It also notes that students who do not convert offers in the main placement cycle continue to receive support through lateral drives, off-campus opportunities, and alumni referrals.

Ques. Is the PGDM from ISB&M Pune treated as equivalent to an MBA?

Ans. The article states that the PGDM from ISB&M Pune is AICTE-approved and is recognized as equivalent to an MBA for employment and competitive examination purposes under AICTE and AIU guidelines. It also adds that candidates targeting government jobs that specifically require an MBA from a UGC-recognized university should verify the exact wording in the relevant job notification. For private sector roles, the article says the PGDM is accepted on par with an MBA by major recruiters visiting the campus.