Syllabus

The syllabus of an Executive MBA (EMBA) program is designed to give working professionals advanced management skills, leadership abilities and a holistic understanding of business operations. It is usually structured to balance theoretical concepts with practical applications to address real-world business challenges. Core subjects focus on essential management areas such as Finance, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, Organisational Behavior and Human Resource Management.

Table of Content

These EMBA programs have modules on Business Analytics, Digital Transformation and Innovation that prepare executives for rapid business changes. Leadership and Soft Skills form important parts of this with communications, negotiation and decision-making skills. The courses also focus on Corporate Governance, Business Ethics and Sustainability as relevant to the present-day business context.

Electives focus on topics such as International Business, Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain Management, Artificial Intelligence or IT Management and thus they are a career aspiration tool. Programs generally conclude with either a Capstone Project or a Strategic Management course in which students use their knowledge to solve complex business problems.

The curriculum is set to suit the busy schedule of executives; usually classes are held over the weekends or online sessions are conducted in a modular format to ensure a flexible yet rigorous learning experience.

To suit the busy schedule of working professionals, the Executive MBA program is offered in online/distance and part-time education. This helps students who cannot be present daily at camps. However, for people who are not working, a full-time EMBA is always an option. The top Executive MBA colleges in India that offer advanced management and leadership skills to working executives are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, FMS Delhi, Xavier School of Management, ISB Hyderabad etc. 

What is an Executive MBA?

An Executive MBA or EMBA is an MBA program for working professionals, executives and managers who want to develop leadership skills, business knowledge and opportunities without interrupting their careers. An EMBA program is designed differently from a traditional MBA as it is geared towards working professionals, often with flexible schedules like classes on weekends, in the evenings, full-time residential programs or through online modules.

An EMBA covers core business disciplines such as finance, marketing, strategy and operations and advanced topics such as leadership, innovation and global business trends. The experiential uses case studies, real-world projects and global exposure to help participants apply what they learn in the classroom to their organisations.

Executive MBA Program Highlights

The Executive MBA (EMBA) program is designed for working professionals to enhance their leadership and management skills. It is a 1-3 year program with flexible schedules like regular, weekend or modular formats. Eligibility includes graduation, 3-5 years of experience and exams like GMAT, XAT, CAT etc. Fees range from ₹2.32 - 42.00 Lakhs with average packages of ₹10.00-55.00 Lakhs per annum, making it a strong career booster.

Program Particulars

Details 

Focus of the EMBA Program

Advanced management and leadership skills for working professionals.

Duration of the EMBA Program

1-3 Years

Eligibility

Graduation + 3-5 Years of Job experience

Entrance Exam Accepted

GMAT, GRE, CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT 

Schedule of the EMBA Program 

On campus full-time, weekend, evening or modular formats designed for working executives.

Curriculum 

Core business topics, leadership development, global business and strategy.

EMBA Program Fees

From ₹2.32 Lakhs to ₹42.00 Lakhs

EMBA Program Average Package 

₹10.00 to ₹55.00 Lakhs per annum

Executive MBA Syllabus (Term-Wise)

The following table outlines subjects that are covered in Executive MBA programs. The curriculum covers topics like Financial and Accounting, Marketing and Organisational Behavior etc. It is a working professional program that helps them to face tough management challenges of senior roles, focus on strategies and push organisations to new heights. The table given below will give the candidates a general idea of which subjects are covered in each term at IIM Ahmedabad.  

Term 1 (All compulsory)

Term 2 (All compulsory)

Marketing (Assessing and Creating Customer Value)

Finance and Accounting (Corporate Finance)

Operations and Decision

Sciences (Analysis of Data)

Finance and Accounting (Financial Markets)

Operations and Decision

Sciences (Designing Operations to Meet Demand)

Finance and Accounting (Strategic Cost Management)

Operations and Decision

Sciences (Modelling for Decisions)

Marketing (Delivering and Managing Customer Value)

Finance and Accounting (Financial Reporting and Analysis)

Communication (Delivering and Managing Customer Value)

Economics (Firms and Markets)

Economics (Delivering and Managing Customer Value)

Organisational Behaviour (Organisation Behaviour)

Operations and Decision Sciences (Setting and Delivering Service Levels)

-

Human Resources Management (Strategic Human Resource Management)

-

Strategy (Strategic Management)

-

Strategy (Legal Aspects of Business)

-

Organisation Behaviour (Leadership Skills)

Term 3

Term 4

International Immersion Program (Focus: Macro-Economic Environment

of the Foreign Country)

Strategy + Finance

and Accounting (Leadership Skills)


-

Electives + PGPx

Term 5

Strategy (Business Simulation Game (Capstone))

Strategy (Leadership, Values & Ethics)

Strategy (Corporate Governance)

Finance and

Accounting (Management Control and Metrics for Organisational

Performance)

Areas + PGPX (Electives (along with courses from other programs))

Note: Given above is the 1-year Executive MBA syllabus of IIM Ahmedabad. The syllabus of other IIMs and MBA colleges in India may vary. So the aspirants must visit their desired colleges’ official websites for more information. 

Executive MBA Specialisations

Specialisation in an EMBA program is a critical choice that may shape an aspirant's career and future opportunities. It allows professionals to focus on areas of business that may include finance, marketing, operations or leadership. This ensures the program aligns with the professional’s career goals and interests. This targeted approach helps individuals build advanced skills and knowledge in their chosen domain, making them experts and more valuable to their organisations. 

Moreover, it can open doors to senior roles, industry shifts or entrepreneurial ventures. Specialisations also enhance networking opportunities by connecting professionals with peers and mentors in their field of interest, further aiding career growth. Ultimately, choosing the right specialisation makes EMBA a tailored experience according to the candidate's aspirations, providing the expertise and confidence needed to excel in a competitive and dynamic business environment.

Some of the popular Executive MBA specialisations are Executive MBA in Operation Management, Human Resource Management (HRM), Finance, Marketing, International Business, Supply Chain Management, Healthcare Management, Entrepreneurship, Information Technology etc. These are explained in detail below:

  • EMBA in Finance: It focuses more on advanced subjects like investment analysis, corporate finance and risk management. It helps professional people make strategic financial decisions, work in the banking or investment sector, or manage finances for organisations. The Syllabus will include Modern Business Organisation and Management, Accounting and Financial Management and Human Resource and Organisational Behaviour.

  • EMBA in Information Technology: This deals with topics like hospitality security, e-commerce and human resource management. It combines management skills with a strong emphasis on IT. The Information Technology EMBA syllabus will include Business Analytics & Valuation, IT Sales Management and Project Management.  

  • EMBA in Operations and Supply Chain: Suited for production, retail and logistics roles. It is good for efficient production or inventory and a nicely run supply chain.

  • EMBA in Entrepreneurship: This program provides skills and connections required for becoming an innovative entrepreneur or founder.

  • EMBA in Marketing: Consumer behaviour, branding, digital marketing and sales strategies. Ideal for marketers who lead marketing teams or design impactful campaigns. The students are taught Strategic Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior and Fundamentals of Advertising.

  • EMBA in Retail: Good for those passionate about sales, marketing, branding and customer segments.

  • EMBA in Business Analytics: Combines business principles with data analytics, teaching professionals to solve challenges using a data-driven approach.

  • EMBA in Human Resource Management: It focuses on managing people including recruitment, training and employee relations. It is ideal for those aspiring for leadership roles in HR. EMBA in HRM syllabus will teach topics such as Business Communication Skills, Human Resource Management and Global Business Environment and Economics. 

Executive MBA Specialisations: Future Trends

The future of EMBA specialisations seems bright because industries are continuously evolving and require highly skilled professionals with specialised expertise. As new challenges such as digital transformation, globalisation and sustainability arise in a business, EMBA graduates match these emerging trends.

The popularity of specialisations in Business Analytics, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence is likely to increase because companies are becoming more data-driven and innovative in their technologies. Other areas such as Sustainability and Healthcare Management are also emerging as critical because organisations are now taking environmental responsibility seriously and responding to changes in global health systems.

Finance, marketing, and human resource management remain relevant, but their curriculums would be modernised with tools and methodologies such as fintech applications in finance or digital marketing strategies in branding. International business and operations management would also be expanding as it reflects the interconnectivity of global markets and the need for efficient supply chain solutions.

Hence, EMBA specialisations will continue to offer customised learning experiences that prepare professionals to lead in dynamic competitive environments. These programs will focus on equipping leaders with the skills to address industry-specific challenges, foster innovation and drive long-term success for the organisations.

Top Executive MBA Colleges In India 

Mentioned below are the top Executive MBA (EMBA) colleges in India offering programs for experienced professionals looking for improvement through increased leadership and management capabilities. These institutions offer a range of programs such as PGPX, EPGP and MBAEx which generally last 1-2 years. Admission often requires competitive examinations like GMAT, GRE, CAT or institutional tests.

The fees for such programs vary between ₹2.32 Lakhs at FMS Delhi to ₹41.78 Lakhs at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. Graduates of these programs normally earn impressive packages with average figures ranging from ₹4.07 Lakhs per annum at Xavier School of Management’s EDHRM program to ₹54.8 Lakhs per annum for IIM Ahmedabad's PGPX graduates. All these institutions have something unique to offer such as international immersion, flexible learning modes and strong alumni networks which are highly sought after by working professionals.

College Name

EMBA program Name & Duration

Entrance Exam Accepted

Fees

Average Salary

IIM Ahmedabad 

PGPX

(1 Year)

GMAT/GRE

₹33.00 lakhs (single students) for 1 year. 

₹35.00 lakhs (married student) for 1 year.

₹54.8 Lakhs per annum

IIM Bangalore 

EPGP/EMBA

(1 Year)

GMAT/GRE

₹31.00 Lakhs for a single year. 

₹34.00 Lakhs for 1 year with family accommodations.

₹33.07 Lakhs per annum


IIM Calcutta 

MBAEx

(1 Year) 

GMAT

₹31.00 Lakhs

₹30.90 Lakhs per annum

IIM Lucknow

IPMX

(1 Year)

GMAT/GRE

₹26.00 Lakhs 

₹34.00 Lakhs per annum

IIM Indore

EPGP

(1 Year)

GMAT/GRE/CAT

₹22.12 Lakhs

₹25.68 Lakhs per annum

ISB Hyderabad

PGPMAX

(15 Months)

Online Application

₹41.78 Lakhs

-

IIM Kozhikode

EMBA

(2 Years)


GMAT/GRE/EMAT

Online Cohort (D-to-D Mode): ₹13.22 Lakhs to be paid in 8 installments.

Offline Cohort (On Campus in Physical): ₹ 12.22 Lakhs has to be paid in eight installments

₹22.00 Lakhs per annum

IIM Shillong

PGPex

(1 Year)

GMAT/CAT

₹22.70 Lakhs + ₹5-6 Lakhs International immersion fee

₹26.10 Lakhs per annum

Xavier School of Management 

EDHRM

(1 Year)

XAT

₹4.75 Lakhs

₹4.07 Lakhs per annum

FMS Delhi  

Executive MBA

(2 Years)

Online Application + Discussion + Extempore + PI

2.32 Lakhs

-

Popular Entrance Exam for Executive MBA 

For those aspiring to pursue an Executive MBA, various entrance exams are essential for admission to top programs. These exams check an aspirant's aptitude and readiness for advanced management studies. Popular exams include GMAT and GRE which are recognised globally and focus on reasoning, analytical and verbal skills. 

There are national-level entrance exams accepted in India that test the candidate's quantitative reasoning, verbal skills, decision-making and logical analysis skills, among others. These are namely CAT, XAT and EMAT. Every test has its exam structure and time duration; thus, a student must opt for one test according to their preparation level and target institute. 

Exam Name 

Exam Level

Duration

Exam Sections 

GMAT

Global

90 Minutes

Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning & Verbal Reasoning.

CAT

National

2 Hours

Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 

GRE

Global

1 Hour 58 Minutes

Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing

XAT

National 

180 Minutes

Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision-Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge

EMAT

National

1 Hour

Data Interpretation, Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning

FAQ for Syllabus

The target audience and structure of an Executive MBA (EMBA) and a Regular MBA are not the same. A Regular MBA is meant for fresh graduates or early career professionals and offers full-time rigorous learning over 2 years. An EMBA on the other hand, is designed for experienced working professionals who have 5+ years of experience. These programs are usually delivered in flexible formats like weekends, evenings or modular classes to balance work and study. EMBA programs focus more on leadership and advanced management skills, while Regular MBA programs provide a broader foundation in business education.

India as a country has many executive MBA colleges but the top five colleges for the program are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB Hyderabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore and IIM Lucknow.

Some of the popular Executive MBA (EMBA) specialisations are EMBA in Human Resource Management, EMBA in Finance, EMBA in Information Technology, EMBA in Supply Chain Management and EMBA in Marketing.

An Executive MBA is similar to a regular MBA program except that the EMBA course is mainly suitable for working people, particularly chief officers, managers or business owners who want to expand their career horizons or switch to a new career.