Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

What ISB is

The Indian School of Business (ISB), established in 2001 in Hyderabad, operates India’s highest-ranked one-year MBA-equivalent programme and is the only Indian business school consistently ranked among the top 30-40 globally by the Financial Times. It was founded with academic partnerships from the Kellogg School of Management, Wharton School, and London Business School, partnerships that shaped its faculty model and curriculum design.

ISB’s Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) is a one-year, full-time, residential programme. Unlike the IIM PGPs (which are two-year and admit fresh graduates), ISB targets mid-career professionals and requires a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience at the time of enrolment. This makes ISB structurally different from the IIM system, it is closer in design to the one-year programmes at INSEAD, London Business School, or IMD.

ISB operates from two campuses, the primary campus in Gachibowli (Hyderabad) and a second campus in Mohali (near Chandigarh). The PGP is offered at both campuses.

Who it’s for

ISB is designed for professionals who want to accelerate to senior management, change industries, or make a career transition, with the credibility of an internationally recognised MBA. The Class of 2025 had an average age of 26.09, average work experience of 4.4 years, and an average GMAT score of 717 (GMATPoint).

The programme does not accept CAT scores. Admission is through GMAT or GRE, and only test-centre-based scores are accepted (no online or at-home test formats).

The cost is significant: approximately Rs 38.67 lakh all-in (inclusive of GST, shared accommodation) for 2026-27, more than most two-year IIM programmes. Students invest this against the one-year duration, accelerated career trajectory, and ISB’s global ranking.

ISB’s placement outcomes are notably strong, 364 companies made 1,164 offers to 816 students in the Class of 2025, and the 2024 batch average was Rs 34.21 LPA.

Programs offered

PGP (Post Graduate Programme in Management), MBA, 1 year: The flagship programme. Class of 2025: 816 students. Fully residential. Offered at Hyderabad and Mohali campuses. Requires minimum 24 months of full-time work experience.

PGPpro (PGP for Working Professionals), 15 months: A part-time equivalent programme for senior professionals who cannot take a year off. Lower fee (~Rs 32 lakh). Conducted largely online with campus immersions.

PGPMax, 15 months: Advanced management programme for senior leaders (typically Director/VP level). Higher fee (~Rs 38.78 lakh + GST). Small cohort.

Fellow Programme in Management (FPM): ISB’s doctoral programme. Funded positions available.

Campus and infrastructure

ISB’s Hyderabad campus is in Gachibowli, one of the city’s technology and financial services hubs, adjacent to HITEC City. This gives ISB students proximity to Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and many other major employers during the programme, unlike campuses in smaller cities.

The campus is fully residential for PGP students. Accommodation options include shared rooms and studio apartments (with differing fee structures). The campus features modern facilities, including multiple dining options, a library, sports facilities, and healthcare.

Things to verify before applying

• Work experience requirement: ISB requires minimum 24 months of full-time work experience at the time of enrolment (March 31 of the enrolment year). Confirm the exact date requirement for your batch.
• GMAT format: ISB accepts GMAT Classic and GMAT Focus Edition, and GRE. Online/at-home test formats are not accepted. You must take a test-centre-based exam.
• Total cost: The all-in cost including GST and accommodation is approximately Rs 38.67 lakh (2026-27, shared accommodation). Studio accommodation adds approximately Rs 2.7 lakh. Verify current fees on isb.edu.
• Hyderabad vs Mohali campus: Both offer the PGP. Alumni networks, placement ecosystems, and campus cultures may differ. Research both before selecting.
• One-year vs two-year MBA: ISB’s one-year format means no internship semester, industry exposure happens through prior work experience and intensive networking. Candidates transitioning to entirely new fields may find two-year programmes (IIMs) better structured for career switching.
• ISB’s ranking trend: ISB is ranked 31st globally by FT Executive MBA Rankings 2025. This is a strong international brand, but the ranking methodology differs from traditional full-time MBA rankings. Verify the current programme-specific ranking for your application cycle.

Where to go next on this site

• GMAT exam guide
• GRE exam guide
• MBA programme overview

Sources Used

• ISB Official Website
• ISB Admission Criteria, GOALisB
• ISB Hyderabad MBA Fees 2025, Cracku
• ISB Hyderabad Placements 2025, GMATPoint
• ISB GMAT Cutoff 2025, IMS India
• ISB PGP Program 2025, GMATPoint