TAPMI opens applications for its 2026–28 MBA cohort, with the deadline fixed for 29 December 2025

TAPMI, Manipal, has opened applications for its prestigious MBA 2026–28 cohort, with the deadline fast approaching on December 29, 2025. A double-accredited institution (AACSB & AMBA), TAPMI is renowned for its experiential learning and a legacy of 100% placements. The institute accepts CAT, XAT, GMAT, and NMAT scores. This article provides management aspirants with key details on eligibility, the selection process, and placement statistics to help them make a competitive application before the cutoff date. Don't miss this final window to secure your seat at one of India's leading B-schools.

The T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal, a name synonymous with academic rigour and a decades-long commitment to management excellence, has announced that the application window for its flagship MBA 2026–28 cohort is closing soon. With the final submission deadline set for December 29, 2025, aspirants across the nation have a limited opportunity to apply to this premier institution, a constituent unit of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). TAPMI holds the coveted "Double Crown" accreditation from both the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA), placing it among the elite 5% of global business schools. For those aiming for a transformative management education focused on holistic development and guaranteed career outcomes, the final days to submit the application are crucial. The institute’s emphasis on experiential learning—through innovative initiatives like BrandScan, SMIC, and a state-of-the-art Finance Lab—is what truly sets it apart, ensuring its graduates are not just degree holders but industry-ready leaders.

Decoding the MBA 2026–28 Cohort Eligibility and Selection

The admission process at TAPMI is a multi-stage, holistic assessment designed to identify candidates with not just high academic potential but also the right attitude and leadership qualities. The institute offers a variety of full-time MBA programmes, including the core MBA, and specialized tracks such as MBA in Banking and Financial Services (BKFS), Human Resource Management (HRM), International Business (IB), Marketing, and newer programs in Technology Management, and Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AI & DS).

• Key Eligibility Criteria:
  • Academic Prerequisite: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from a recognized University with a minimum of 50% marks (aggregate). Final-year degree students who expect to complete their graduation by June/July 2026 are also eligible to apply.
  • Accepted Entrance Exams: Applicants must have a valid, competitive score from one of the major national/international management entrance tests: CAT 2025, XAT 2026, GMAT (scores from Jan 1, 2021, to Jan 31, 2026), or NMAT by GMAC™ 2025 (primarily for sectoral programs like BKFS, HRM, AI & DS, and Technology Management). TAPMI considers the highest score provided by the candidate across these examinations.
  • Work Experience Advantage: While freshers are eligible for the core MBA and the MBA (AI & DS), a minimum of two years of work experience is generally preferred for certain specialized programs. Profile-based shortlisting is also a factor for candidates with substantial work history.
• The Two-Stage Selection Process:
  • Stage I: Shortlisting: Candidates are first shortlisted based on their overall profile, which includes their entrance exam score (weighted at approx. 35%), past academic performance (approx. 15%), work experience, and extracurricular achievements.
  • Stage II: Final Selection Rounds: Shortlisted candidates are invited for the final assessment rounds, tentatively scheduled between February and March 2026. These rounds are critical and comprise:
    • Written Ability Test (WAT): To evaluate articulation and technical writing skills.
    • Group Discussion (GD): To assess interaction, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication in a group setting.
    • Personal Interview (PI): A behavioural interview to gauge the candidate's attitude, self-awareness, leadership potential, and overall suitability for a career in management. These final rounds carry a significant weightage of approximately 45% in the final merit list preparation, with an additional 5% allocated for gender diversity and extracurricular achievements.

TAPMI's Experiential Learning Edge: Beyond the Classroom

TAPMI's pedagogy is rooted in a belief that management education is best delivered through practical application and real-world immersion. This commitment has led to the creation of several unique, signature experiential learning modules.

• Flagship Experiential Programs:
  • Finance Lab: Housing one of the largest and best-equipped Finance Labs in India, featuring over 16 Bloomberg terminals and 7 Reuters terminals. This provides students, especially those in the MBA-BKFS program, with hands-on training using real-time financial data, a critical skill for the BFSI sector. The MBA-BKFS program also includes exclusive industry training with institutions like the SBI Staff Training College and the BSE Training Institute.
  • BrandScan: A long-running, market-research fair managed entirely by students, offering real-time consultancy to major corporations, thereby providing unparalleled exposure to market dynamics and consumer behaviour.
  • SMIC (Samnidhy – Student Managed Investment Course): An initiative where students manage a corpus of a real fund, making investment decisions and bearing the fiduciary responsibility, offering practical training in portfolio management.
  • LADC (Leadership Assessment and Development Centre): A personalised platform for continuous capability assessment and development, focusing on critical soft skills and leadership traits essential for corporate success.
• International Perspective and Holistic Growth:
  • TAPMI promotes a global outlook, offering an International Immersion Program and opportunities for foreign language training, especially for the MBA-IB cohort, which can include the possibility of spending a semester at partner universities abroad.
  • The curriculum also integrates ethics, sustainability, and social awareness through programs like SEVA (an industry engagement module focused on social service), preparing managers who are socially responsible.

Stellar Placements: A Testament to Quality and Rigour

TAPMI's legacy is strongly supported by its consistent and robust placement record, which has stood at 100% for all MBA programs in recent years, demonstrating its deep industry connections and the high employability of its graduates.

• Placement Highlights for the 2025 Batch:
  • 100% Placement across all MBA programs, including the flagship MBA, MBA-BKFS, MBA-HRM, MBA-Marketing, and MBA-IB.
  • Highest Package (CTC): A remarkable INR 32.77 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA), showcasing the premium roles offered to the graduating cohort.
  • Overall Average Package (CTC): The overall average package stood at a competitive INR 13.99 LPA, reflecting the consistent quality of placements.
  • Program-Specific Averages: The MBA-BKFS program recorded the highest average CTC at INR 14.73 LPA, while the core MBA achieved INR 13.99 LPA, and the MBA-Marketing students saw an average of INR 13.72 LPA.
  • Recruiter Footprint: The placement season saw participation from nearly 90 recruiters, including prominent names in the BFSI (39% of students placed), Consulting (22% of students placed), and IT & Analytics sectors, solidifying TAPMI’s reputation as a preferred talent hub for leading companies like Accenture, Adani, Cognizant, EY, and HCL. The salary up-turn ratio, particularly the 3.9 times increase for the core MBA students from their pre-program CTC, underscores the immense value proposition of the degree.

Conclusion

With its dual international accreditation, a curriculum deeply embedded in experiential learning, and a stellar placement record that consistently reports a 100% rate, TAPMI is undeniably a top-tier destination for management education. The remaining days before the December 29, 2025, deadline represent a final, critical window of opportunity for aspiring management students to secure their spot in the MBA 2026–28 batch. This is your moment to transition from an aspirant to a future business leader, leveraging TAPMI’s legacy and innovative programs. Begin your application today on the official TAPMI portal to ensure you meet the deadline and secure your future in management

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