The CAT result is out, and the number on the screen isn’t the one you were hoping for. Or perhaps you couldn’t take the exam at all because of work, family or plain bad timing. Either way, the same worry follows: has the door to a good B-school in Delhi just closed?
It hasn’t. Many well-regarded institutes in Delhi NCR accept XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA or GMAT scores, and a few universities run their own entrance tests. The catch is that “without CAT” and “without an entrance exam” are not the same thing, and many lists online blur the two.
In this blog post, we’ve listed top ten MBA colleges in Delhi NCR that don’t compulsorily require a CAT score. We have also explained the admission route for each and shared what to check before you apply. Read on.
What Does “Without CAT” Really Mean?
Most private B-schools accept CAT along with other national tests such as XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA or GMAT. You still need a valid score from one of them, followed by interviews or other selection rounds, but not CAT specifically. A few universities instead run their own entrance tests.
Some private universities also offer “direct admission” based on graduation marks and an interview. If you consider this route, check that the programme is AICTE-approved or offered by a UGC-recognised university.
10 Best MBA Colleges in Delhi NCR You Can Join Without CAT
|
College |
Location |
Accepted instead of CAT |
Programme Fee (Tuition Fee) |
|
Jagannath International Management School (JIMS, Kalkaji) |
South Delhi |
XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA |
₹10.75 lakh |
|
IMI New Delhi |
South Delhi |
XAT, GMAT |
₹23.54 lakh |
|
IMT Ghaziabad |
Ghaziabad |
XAT, GMAT |
About ₹23 lakh |
|
FORE School of Management |
South Delhi |
XAT, GMAT |
₹23.24 lakh |
|
LBSIM |
Dwarka, Delhi |
XAT, GMAT |
₹17.25 lakh |
|
BIMTECH |
Greater Noida |
XAT, CMAT, GMAT (+MAT for some) |
₹14 lakh |
|
Jaipuria Institute of Management |
Noida |
XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT |
₹16.5 lakh |
|
FIIB |
New Delhi |
XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, GMAT |
₹12.85 lakh |
|
Jamia Millia Islamia |
South-East Delhi |
JMI entrance test |
Approx ₹ 54k – 3.0 lakh |
|
DSM, DTU (MBA Business Analytics) |
North-West Delhi |
MAT |
₹2.47 lakh (2026–27, tentative) |
1. Jagannath International Management School (JIMS), Kalkaji
JIMS Kalkaji has been successfully running its two-year PGDM programme for past 25 years. The programme is AICTE-approved, NBA-accredited and recognised by the AIU as comparable to an MBA. It runs over six trimesters: the first three build a management foundation, and the last three let students take dual specialisations from Marketing, Finance, Human Resource, Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics and Strategic Management. A separate PGDM (International Business) is also offered with Marketing, Finance, and Business Analytics as specialisations.
Learning is closely tied to industry. Corporate managers conduct mock group discussions and interviews, students take on live projects with industry mentors, and value-added certifications include IBM (Data Catalyst), E&Y (Financial Modelling), NSE (Financial Services) and Digital Marketing. The top five PGDM students can spend a trimester at Cologne University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The institute also holds an impressive placement record, and is hence ranked among the best MBA colleges in Delhi without CAT scores.
Accepts: CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT or ATMA
Selection: Written ability test or extempore, group discussion, and personal interview
Fee: ₹10.75 lakh for the 2026–28 batch, in four instalments
Placements: 97% placement and an average CTC of ₹10.5 LPA for the 2024–26 batch
2. International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi
This is another well-known private B-schools in Delhi. Besides New Delhi, IMI also has campuses in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. Along with its flagship PGDM, it also runs a dedicated PGDM in Human Resource Management.
Accepts: XAT or GMAT, alongside CAT
Eligibility: A three-year degree with 50% in any discipline
Fee: ₹23.54 lakh for the PGDM
Placements: An average CTC of ₹17.91 LPA for 2024–26.
3. IMT Ghaziabad
A residential campus just across the Delhi border, offering a general PGDM along with PGDMs in Marketing, Financial Management, Banking & Financial Services. It also offers a Dual Country Programme.
Accepts: XAT or GMAT, alongside CAT
Selection: An offline selection process for shortlisted candidates
Fee: About ₹23 lakh (2026–28)
Placements: An interim 2024–26 average CTC of ₹18.89 LPA.
4. FORE School of Management, New Delhi
Located in South Delhi, FORE offers a two-year PGDM whose fee includes an international immersion programme.
Accepts: XAT 2027 or a GMAT score taken between 1 January 2025 and 31 January 2027, alongside CAT
Selection: Personal interview, with weightage for test score, academics and work experience. Fee: ₹23.24 lakh (self-sponsored)
Placements: A highest CTC of ₹26.45 LPA for 2024–26.
5. Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), Dwarka
LBSIM offers PGDMs in General Management, Financial Management, Research & Business Analytics, and AI & Data Science.
Accepts: XAT or GMAT, alongside CAT
Selection: Extempore and personal interview
Fee: ₹17.25 lakh for a general seat (2027–29), with hostel extra
Placements: A batch average of ₹12.32 LPA for 2024–26.
6. Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida
BIMTECH is known for niche programmes in Insurance Business Management and Retail Management, alongside PGDM Core and International Business.
Accepts: XAT, CMAT or GMAT for all programmes, plus MAT for Insurance and Retail Management
Selection: Extempore and personal interview
Fee: ₹14 lakh tuition, with hostel and mess extra
Placements: A highest CTC of ₹22 LPA for 2024–26.
7. Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
Part of a group with four campuses, Jaipuria’s Noida campus offers a two-year PGDM and a PGDM in Marketing. In selection, the entrance score carries the most weight (45%), followed by the personal interview (25%).
Accepts: XAT, CMAT, MAT or GMAT, alongside CAT
Selection: Personal interview and case analysis, with weightage for academics, work experience and diversity
Fee: ₹16.5 lakh (2027–29), with hostel fee charged separately.
Placements: A highest package of ₹24.11 LPA across its campuses
8. Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi
A Delhi-based institute offering a two-year PGDM, with one of the widest choices of entrance tests on this list.
Accepts: XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA or GMAT, with at least the 50th percentile
Selection: Case study analysis and personal interview, along with academic record and work experience
Fee: ₹12.85 lakh (2026–28).
9. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi
A central university offering the MBA alongside self-financed MBAs in International Business and in Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Accepts: JMI’s own entrance test, so no CAT score is needed
Eligibility: A degree in any discipline with 50%
Seats: 60 in the regular M.B.A
Fee: Low university fees; check the current prospectus
10. Delhi School of Management, DTU
A state university option that many students overlook. DTU’s MBA in Business Analytics accepts MAT as well as CAT.
Eligibility: 60% and at least one paper in maths, statistics or applied maths at graduation
Seats: 60
Fee: ₹2.47 lakh for 2026–27 (tentative).
Where CAT Is Still Required?
A handful of Delhi NCR b-schools, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT, and IIT Delhi’s Department of Management Studies, admit Indian candidates mainly or only through CAT.
Our list of top-rated MBA colleges in Delhi covers these in more detail.
How to Judge a Non-CAT College?
Check Approvals
For a PGDM, look for AICTE approval, NBA accreditation and AIU equivalence to an MBA. JIMS Kalkaji’s PGDM, for example, holds all three.
Look for Transparent Placement Data
Ask for the share of students placed and the average or median salary, not just the highest package. Some institutes, JIMS Kalkaji among them, publish student-wise placement lists you can check yourself. Our guide to MBA colleges in Delhi with the best placements explains how to read these reports.
Weigh the Fee Against Outcomes
Compare the total fee with typical salaries. A programme whose average salary is close to its total fee will usually pay for itself sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Can I get into a good MBA college in Delhi without CAT?
Yes. Several established institutes accept XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA or GMAT scores. However, accepted tests can change each year, so it is always better to check each college’s current admission notice.
Q. Which entrance exams does JIMS Kalkaji accept?
JIMS Kalkaji accepts CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT and ATMA scores for its PGDM and PGDM (International Business) programmes. Shortlisted candidates then take a written ability test or extempore, a group discussion, and a personal interview.
Q. Is a PGDM from a non-CAT college valid?
Absolutely yes! A PGDM from an AICTE-approved institute is a valid qualification, and many, including the JIMS Kalkaji PGDM, are recognised by the AIU as comparable to an MBA.
Q. Can I apply to CAT and non-CAT colleges in the same year?
Yes, and it’s a sensible plan. Taking CAT along with MAT or XAT keeps more options open.
Q. What is the difference between MAT, CMAT, and ATMA?
All three are national management entrance tests. MAT is conducted by AIMA several times a year, CMAT by the National Testing Agency once a year, and ATMA by AIMS. Check which ones your target colleges accept.
Conclusion
Missing CAT doesn’t mean missing out on a good MBA. What matters is knowing which test each college accepts and judging every option on its approvals, teaching, and placement record.
For students who want an AICTE-approved, NBA-accredited programme without depending on a CAT score, JIMS Kalkaji is often on the shortlist when searching for the best MBA college in Delhi NCR. The institute accepts five national tests for admission to PGDM programme and combines dual specialisations with strong industry exposure.
To learn more about PGDM admissions at JIMS Kalkaji, connect with the admissions team on 011-40619207 / 011-40619208 or write to admission@jagannath.org.
