Central and State Universities across India have officially opened their MBA admission portals for the 2026–28 academic cycle. Institutions like FMS Delhi, PUMBA, and those under CUET PG are actively accepting registrations. Aspirants must verify eligibility and entrance test requirements to secure a seat in these prestigious government-backed management programs.

The landscape for government-backed management education has reached a significant milestone today as a majority of Central and State universities have activated their digital admission windows. For the 2026–28 academic block, these institutions are offering a diverse range of MBA specializations at highly subsidized fee structures compared to private B-schools. As the third week of January begins, thousands of students are flocking to official portals to initiate their applications for some of the most competitive programs in the country.

Centralized Entrance Tests and NTA Portals

A major portion of the admissions activity is currently centered around the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) PG 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently extended the registration deadline for CUET PG until January 20, providing a crucial window for students aiming for Central universities such as the University of Hyderabad, Pondicherry University, and the Central University of Punjab. This centralized approach allows candidates to apply to multiple state and central programs through a single unified interface.

• CUET PG 2026: Registrations are ongoing until January 20; the exam is tentatively scheduled for March.
• FMS Delhi: While the primary CAT-based window has recently moved toward shortlisting, the portal remains active for international and executive applicants.
• TISS Mumbai: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences has moved into its online assessment phase, utilizing CAT 2025 scores for its flagship HRM program.
• JNU Delhi: The admissions portal for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management is expected to announce its shortlist based on CAT percentiles by the end of this month.

State University Cycles and Local Opportunities

Simultaneously, prominent state-run universities are launching their independent or state-level CET-based cycles. In Maharashtra, the Savitribai Phule Pune University’s Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA) has seen a spike in traffic following the opening of the MAH MBA CET registration link. These state-level portals are vital for local candidates, often reserving a significant percentage of seats for state domiciles while maintaining high placement standards at par with national institutes.

• PUMBA Pune: Accepting MAH MBA CET, CMAT, and CAT scores; the application link for the state entrance test is currently live.
• LUMS (Lucknow University): The portal for the 2026 cycle is expected to open its specialized MBA Finance and HR wings by early February.
• Anna University: The TANCET 2026 notification for admissions in Tamil Nadu is anticipated in the final week of January, keeping local aspirants on high alert.
• IP University (GGSIPU): The Delhi-based state university is currently accepting applications for its MBA programs via the NIMCET and CAT score categories.

Consolidated Deadline Tracker for January-February 2026

To assist in tracking these moving targets, the following table summarizes the current status and upcoming deadlines for the most sought-after engineering entrance exams as of today, January 17.

Conclusion

The opening of these universities for the 2026–28 cycle represents a critical phase for students seeking high Return on Investment (ROI) in their management studies. With the integration of mandatory digital IDs like APAAR and the extension of key national deadlines, the admissions process has become more accessible yet technically demanding. Candidates are urged to monitor the respective official portals for seat matrix updates and to complete their documentation well before the January and February cut-offs to avoid the rush.

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