Institute of Product Leadership

Top Executive MBA Programs in India for 2026

Author : Reeya Patel– Growth Marketer

An Executive MBA (EMBA) is a strong booster to those experienced professionals who seek to advance their career in the corporate world. In contrast to a conventional MBA, an EMBA is designed to accommodate those with experience and therefore enables you to develop as a leader and business expert without interrupting your career. A part of the global business world, India is now a treasure trove of the best EMBA programs, ranging between the globally-ranked business schools and industry-specific schools that can unlock your potential and propel you to the C-suite positions.

In this guide, I have discussed the list of the top Executive MBA programs in India in 2025 in terms of ranking, features, fees, duration and eligibility in order to find the best match.

Key Takeaways:
  • The top charts in the traditional Executive MBA India programs are consistently held by IIM Bangalore and IIM Ahmedabad.
  • The Institute of Product Leadership provides an elite, specialized executive program in product management and technology leadership.
  • In India, it takes 1 to 2 years on average to complete an EMBA degree.
  • The range of fees may vary between 10 lakhs to 40 lakhs.
  • Majority of the programs demand at least 3-5 years of work experience.
  • EMBA generates high Return on Investment (ROI) in form of salary increase and career growth.
In this article
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    The best EMBA Programs by Ranking and Characteristics

    There are a number of business schools in India that are known all over the world. The following is a glimpse of the best, both in conventional powerhouses and special institutions.

    1. Institute of Product Leadership

    • Program: Executive MBA in Product Leadership
    • Ranking: It is ranked as one of the leading institutions among the professionals in the field of product, technology, and innovation.
    • Features: This program is unique as it focuses on hands-on learning where you build the product right from the first day with industry practitioners as the faculty. The program is best suited for professionals who are in mid-career roles and who wish to transition to senior leadership and c-suit level roles. 

    2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

    • Program: Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives (PGPX)
    • Ranking: IIM Ahmedabad is the other leading competitor, which is characterized by the high quality of academics, case-study-based learning, and an influential global network of alumni. 
    • Features:  This is a full-time, one-year residential course that targets professionals with experience and learns how to have sharp leadership and strategic thinking abilities.

    3. Indian School of Business (ISB)

    • Program: Post Graduate Programme in Management for Working Professionals (PGPpro)
    • Ranking:  ISB has been ranked highly in business schools all over the world.
    • Features: The program of ISB is distinguished by its original blended learning model which incorporates online and on-campus sessions in its campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali. It provides an international curriculum and a multicultural peer group.

    4. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore

    • Program: Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM)
    • Ranking: The IIM Bangalore is ranked continuously as the best EMBA program in India and the top 50 in QS EMBA Rankings around the world.
    • Features: The program is famous for its strict curriculum, faculty of international level, and close relations with industry. It has an international immersion module, and has a wide variety of elective courses to develop holistic leaders.

    5. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta

    • Program: MBA for Executives (MBAEx)
    • Ranking: IIM Calcutta is a management education pioneer in India and one that is highly rated in terms of the EMBA program.
    • Features:  This is a one-year, full-time residential program that is set to prepare senior executives to work in leadership positions. It is very finance and quantitative oriented.
    executive mba in product management

    Comparison Table: Top EMBA Programs in India 2026

    Here’s a quick comparison to help you make an informed decision:

    Program/University

    Duration

    Fees (Approx.)

    Minimum Work Experience

    Mode

    Inst. of Product Leadership
    (EMBA in Product Leadership)

    18 months

    ₹10 Lakhs

    3 years

    Alternate weekends on campus

    IIM Bangalore (PGPEM)

    2 years (weekend)

    ₹20-22 Lakhs

    4 years

    Part-time

    IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX)

    1 year

    ₹31.5 Lakhs

    4 years

    Full-time

    ISB (PGPpro)

    18 months

    ₹41.9 Lakhs

    5 years

    Blended

    IIM Calcutta (MBAEx)

    1 year

    ₹31 Lakhs

    5 years

    Full-time

    IIM Kozhikode (EPGP)

    2 years

    ₹14 Lakhs

    3 years

    Part-time

    Conclusion

    One of the most important choices you make in your career is the selection of the appropriate Executive MBA program. With a critical perspective of what you want to do, either an extensive, high-ranking program or a career-oriented one, and matching it to your career objective, you will be able to discover your potential. The above-mentioned programs can be viewed as the top that India can offer and the education offered is world-class, rigorous and relevant.

    Ready to take the next step? Go to the websites of these institutions to get information about admission and the closing date of applications. This is where your progressive road to the C-suite begins!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    For those targeting a career in product management, the Institute of Product Leadership’s Executive MBA is considered a leading specialized program. The “best” program ultimately depends on your individual career goals.

    The average fee for an Executive MBA in India ranges from ₹15 to ₹25 lakhs. However, top-tier programs at IIMs and ISB can cost upwards of ₹40 lakhs, while specialized programs may be more accessible.

    The duration of an EMBA in India is typically 1 to 2 years. One-year programs are usually full-time and intensive, while longer programs are often part-time or blended to accommodate working professionals.

    Yes, work experience is a crucial eligibility criterion. Most programs require a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience, with many candidates having 8-10 years of experience or more.

    Institute of Product Leadership is Asia’s First Business School providing accredited degree programs and certification courses exclusively in Product Management, Strategy, and Leadership.
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