The MBA syllabus is structured around two key components — core and elective subjects. The first year primarily focuses on core business disciplines such as Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Operations. In the second year, students pick electives aligned with their career interests and specialization.
Component
Duration
Credits
Purpose
Assessment Methods
Core Subjects
2-3 semesters
60-80 credits
Foundational Building
Exams, Case studies, Projects
Elective Subjects
1-2 Semesters
30-40 credits
Specialisation Focus
Industry Projects, Presentations
Summer Internship
8-10 weeks
3-6 credits
Practical Experience
Company projects, presentations
Capstone Project
Final Semsters
6-12 credits
Applied Research
Dissertation, Live projects
Total Programme
4 Semesters
100-140 credits
Complete Management Education
Comprehensive Assessment
Semester Wise MBA Syllabus
The MBA programme is structured across 4 semesters and each one of them focuses on a specific learning objective:
First Year (1&2 Semester)-Foundation Building
Semester 1 (July-December)
Credits
Semester 2 (January-June)
Credits
Managerial Economics
3
Financial Management
3
Accounting Management
3
Marketing management
3
Organisational Behavior
3
Operations Management
3
Quantitative Methods
3
Strategic Management
3
Business Communication
2
Business Ethics & CSR
2
Information Technology
2
Legal Aspects of Business
2
Management Principles
3
Research Methodology
2
Total Credits
19
Total Credits
18
Second Year (3&4 Semesters)-Specialisation & Application
Semester 3 (July-December)
Credits
Semester 4 (January-June)
Credits
Specialisation Elective 1
3
Specialisation Elective 4
3
Specialisation Elective 2
3
Specialisation Elective 5
3
Specialisation Elective 3
3
Open Elective
3
Cross Functional Elective
3
Capstone Project
6
Summer Internship Report
3
Industry Seminar
2
Total Credits
15
Total Credits
17
MBA Core Subjects
A breakdown of the core subjects for MBA has been given below:
MBA students get practical knowledge through projects and internships. The following is a brief description of the same:
Summer Internship Program
Duration: 8-10 weeks (typically May-July after first year)
Objectives:
Apply theoretical knowledge to real business problems
Gain industry exposure and professional experience
Build network connections with industry professionals
Explore career opportunities in different sectors
Popular Internship Domains:
Consulting projects with strategy and operations focus
Marketing campaigns and brand management initiatives
Financial analysis and investment banking roles
HR projects in talent management and organizational development
Operations improvement and supply chain optimization
Capstone Projects
Industry Consulting Projects: Solving real business challenges for partner companies
Research Dissertations: Academic research on contemporary business issues
Entrepreneurship Ventures: Business plan development for startup ideas
Social Impact Initiatives: Projects addressing societal challenges through business solutions
Live Projects & Industry Collaboration
Corporate Partnerships: Leading MBA programs maintain partnerships with industry leaders for live project opportunities
Project Outcomes: Students deliver actionable recommendations that companies often implement
Assessment Criteria: Project reports, presentations, client feedback, and peer
Evaluations
How Indian MBA Syllabus Compares with Global MBA Programs
The Indian MBA syllabus is a bit different from global MBA Programs. The difference between both has been given below:
Feature
Indian MBA Programme
Global MBA Programme
Teaching Style
Mix of lectures, case studies
Case heavy, simulation-based
Internship Model
Mandatory summer internships
Optional or flexible internships
Specialisation
Traditional (Finance, HR)
Emerging (ESG, Tech, AI)
Project Work
Emphasis on capstone and SIP.
More focus on real time consultancy.
Curriculum Flexibility
Semi-flexible
Highly Flexible/ customizable
Duration
2 years
1-2 years
Teaching Methodologies in MBA Programs
Different B-Schools adopt different mentors of teaching. Here is a breakdown of different methodologies in use:
Teaching Method
Description
Institutes Using it
Case Based Learning
Real world business cases used for classroom discussions.
IIM Ahmedabad, ISB, XLRI
Simulation Workshops
Role play and simulated decision making tools.
SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon
Industry Mentorship
Guest lectures and mentorship by CXOs and alumni.
FMS Delhi, IIM Indore
Live Projects
Short term industry assignments during semesters.
NMIMS, IIFT MICA
Flipped Classrooms
Students study content in advance, use class for discussions.
Amity, Symbiosis, IIM Kozihikode.
Emerging Trends in MBA Curriculum
The MBA syllabus in 2025 is embracing interdisciplinary and tech-forward trends:
AI and Machine Learning in Business
Green Finance & ESG Investing
Sustainability & Responsible Business Modules
Blockchain Applications in Supply Chains
Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity
Entrepreneurship Labs & Innovation Studios
Dual Specializations & Major-Minor Format
Several institutes offer a dual specialization or major-minor structure, helping students diversify their expertise.
Major Specialisation
Minor Specialisation
Total Credits
Finance
Business Analytics
22+8
Marketing
IT Systems
20+10
HR
Operations
21+9
Online MBA Vs Full Time MBA: Key Differences
With increasing demand for flexibility, many institutes now offer Online MBAs alongside traditional full-time programs. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
An MBA (Master of Business Administration) teaches students core business and management skills. Subjects cover a wide range of areas such as: Finance Marketing Human Resources Operations Business Analytics Entrepreneurship Students also learn leadership, strategic thinking, communication, problem-solving, and data analysis. Many programs include case studies, internships, and live projects.
What is the syllabus for MBA 1st year?
The 1st year of MBA usually focuses on foundation/core subjects, which are common for all students regardless of specialization. Typical MBA 1st year subjects include: Principles of Management Financial Accounting Managerial Economics Business Statistics Organizational Behaviour Marketing Management Human Resource Management Business Communication Financial Management Operations Management IT for Managers Legal & Business Environment Some universities also include soft skill development, workshops, and industry exposure.
What are MBA specialization subjects?
In the 2nd year, students choose a specialization. Each specialization has its own set of subjects: a) MBA in Finance: Corporate Finance Investment Analysis Financial Markets Risk Management Mergers & Acquisitions b) MBA in Marketing: Consumer Behaviour Digital Marketing Brand Management Sales & Distribution Marketing Analytics c) MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM): Talent Acquisition Training & Development Industrial Relations Performance Management HR Analytics d) MBA in Operations: Supply Chain Management Quality Management Project Management Logistics Operations Strategy e) MBA in Business Analytics/Data Analytics: Data Mining Predictive Analytics Business Intelligence R Programming/Python Machine Learning Basics f) MBA in International Business, IT, Agri-Business, etc. also have tailored subjects depending on the focus area.
Which MBA is best for the future?
the following are considered high-demand and future-proof: MBA in Business Analytics / Data Science MBA in Finance (especially FinTech) MBA in Marketing (with Digital Marketing focus) MBA in Information Technology (IT & Systems) MBA in Healthcare or Sustainability MBA in Operations & Supply Chain (due to global logistics growth) Fields like AI, sustainability, e-commerce, and digital transformation are expected to dominate the business world in the coming decade.
Is the MBA syllabus same in all colleges?
No, the MBA syllabus is not exactly the same across all colleges. While most universities follow a standard framework (like AICTE/UGC guidelines), the subjects, electives, and teaching methods vary: IIMs, ISB, and top B-Schools may offer advanced, industry-driven content. Some colleges include international exposure, simulations, or AI-based tools. University-affiliated MBA programs might have a more traditional syllabus.
How many subjects are there in MBA total?
On average, an MBA has 20 to 30 subjects spread across 4 semesters (2 years): 10–12 Core Subjects in 1st year 8–10 Specialization Subjects in 2nd year 2–4 Electives/Optional Papers Internship/Project Work/Dissertation
.png "Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)")
.png "Hewlett-Packard (HP)")
