Mumbai: The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) has announced a significant revision to the eligibility criteria for its MBA programme at the Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), effective from the 2025-26 academic year. The change aims to enhance discipline and gender diversity in the programme, aligning with industry demands and the evolving landscape of management education.

Previously, candidates required a four-year Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of first-class honours or a Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 6.5 out of 10. The revised criteria now include candidates with a three-year Bachelor’s degree meeting the same academic thresholds, broadening access to the programme.

For candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) categories, the minimum requirement is 55% marks or a CPI of 6.0 out of 10. A valid Common Admission Test (CAT) score remains mandatory, and final-year students meeting the academic criteria may apply, subject to fulfilling the requirements upon completion.

The decision, approved by the IIT-B Senate last year, responds to feedback from recruiting companies seeking greater diversity in hiring. “This revision in eligibility criteria is intended to improve the discipline and gender diversity of the cohort given the multi-disciplinary nature of management,” the institute stated. The move is expected to diversify the 2025-27 MBA batch, which previously comprised mostly engineering graduates, by attracting candidates from varied academic backgrounds.

The institute highlighted that a diverse cohort enriches classroom discussions, particularly in the case-based teaching method used in management education, which thrives on varied perspectives to address complex, unstructured managerial challenges.

“The diverse cohort will also help bring different perspectives to the classroom discussion and enrich the learning experience,” the institute said.

The revised criteria align SJMSOM with other premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other IITs, which have adopted similar eligibility standards. The change also aims to expand the applicant pool, enabling the institute to select from a broader range of candidates.

“There is no reason or justification to restrict the admission to students of engineering and science given the fact that the School is offering a general MBA degree,” the institute added.