Last Updated: 15 September 2026

The Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad is one of India's most prestigious business schools and a globally recognised destination for management education. ISB's flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) is a one-year, full-time residential programme designed primarily for professionals with at least two years of work experience.

For the ISB PGP Class of 2028, applications are currently open. ISB follows a three-round admission process, with the Round 1 deadline on 20 September 2026, Round 2 on 6 December 2026, and the final Round 3 deadline on 17 January 2027.

The latest official fee for the 2027–28 PGP academic year is ₹34.48 lakh + GST, with shared accommodation, a single-instalment payment structure and a refundable security deposit of ₹20,000.

ISB's latest placement results are also exceptionally strong. The PGP Class of 2026 received 1,117 job offers, with an average compensation of ₹37.29 lakh per annum and the highest offer reaching ₹1.56 crore per annum.

ISB Hyderabad Admission 2027: Latest Highlights

ParticularDetailsInstituteIndian School of BusinessCampusHyderabad & MohaliFlagship ProgrammePGP in ManagementProgramme Duration12 MonthsModeFull-time, ResidentialWork ExperienceMinimum 24 monthsEntrance TestGMAT/GREPGP Class2027–28 / Class of 2028Round 1 Deadline20 September 2026Round 2 Deadline6 December 2026Round 3 Deadline17 January 2027Latest PGP Fee₹34.48 lakh + GSTRefundable Security Deposit₹20,000Latest Average Compensation₹37.29 LPALatest Highest Offer₹1.56 crore/yearFT Global MBA Ranking 2026#12 globallyFT India Ranking 2026#1 in IndiaAlumni Network20,000+ across 60+ countriesWhat is ISB Hyderabad?

The Indian School of Business (ISB) is a premier management institution with campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali.

ISB's flagship PGP is a 12-month full-time residential management programme designed for experienced professionals seeking career acceleration, leadership development and career transitions.

Importantly, the PGP is not an MBA degree or diploma. ISB states that it is comparable in rigour and content to a global two-year MBA programme, but ISB itself does not award a degree because it is not a university.

ISB operates a unified admission process for both Hyderabad and Mohali campuses, meaning candidates apply to the PGP rather than separately applying to one campus.

ISB Hyderabad Admission 2027: Latest Update

Applications are currently open for the PGP Class of 2028.

ISB has announced the following admission deadlines:

Admission RoundApplication DeadlineInterview PeriodFinal DecisionRound 120 September 2026Week 2 Oct – Week 2 Dec 2026End-Dec 2026Round 26 December 2026Week 4 Dec – Week 1 Feb 2027Mid-Feb 2027Round 317 January 2027Week 1 – Week 4 Feb 2027Mid-March 2027

ISB says applications submitted after a round deadline automatically move into the next round, while applications cannot be accepted after 17 January 2027 for the Class of 2028. Candidates can apply only once during an admission cycle.

Current recommendation

Candidates ready with their application should consider Round 1, especially if they want an earlier admission decision and more time for financing and relocation arrangements.

ISB states that applying in an earlier round does not significantly change selection chances, but it provides more time for post-admission planning.

ISB Hyderabad PGP Eligibility 2027

Candidates applying for the flagship PGP must satisfy the following requirements.

Bachelor's Degree

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any discipline.

Work Experience

A minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience is required as of 31 March of the year of joining.

This makes the regular PGP particularly suitable for:

• Working professionals
• Consultants
• Engineers
• Finance professionals
• Technology professionals
• Entrepreneurs
• Doctors
• Lawyers
• Product managers
• Marketing professionals
• Professionals seeking career transitions

Entrance Examination

ISB's current PGP admission process accepts:

• GMAT
• GRE

The score must be valid and test-centre based according to the applicable round's rules.

ISB Hyderabad GMAT/GRE Requirements

Unlike many Indian B-schools, ISB does not publish a simple fixed GMAT or GRE cutoff for PGP admission.

Instead, admissions are holistic and consider:

• Test score
• Academic background
• Work experience
• Leadership
• Career progression
• Achievements
• Essays
• Recommendations
• Interview performance
• Overall profile

Therefore, candidates should not interpret a particular unofficial GMAT/GRE score as a guaranteed ISB cutoff.

What score should you target?

For a competitive application, candidates should aim for a strong GMAT/GRE score, but ISB's selection process means that a test score alone does not determine admission.

A candidate with strong career progression, leadership achievements and compelling essays may have a stronger overall application than someone with a higher test score but a weaker profile.

ISB Hyderabad Admission Process 2027

ISB follows a holistic admission process.

Step 1: Take GMAT or GRE

Candidates need a valid accepted test score.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

The application includes:

• Academic details
• Work experience
• Test scores
• Career information
• Achievements
• Essays
• Recommendation

Step 3: Submit Essays

The current application includes two mandatory essays:

Leadership Essay

Candidates describe experiences that shaped who they are, what those experiences taught them about leadership and the type of leader they aspire to become.

Learning Approach Essay

Candidates explain intellectual experiences that influenced their approach to learning and their decision to pursue an MBA-level management programme.

An optional essay is also available for candidates who want to provide additional relevant information.

Step 4: Submit Recommendation

Applicants must provide a professional recommendation that gives meaningful insight into their professional capabilities and achievements.

Step 5: Shortlisting

ISB evaluates the complete profile.

Step 6: Interview

Shortlisted applicants participate in the ISB interview process.

Step 7: Final Selection

Final admission decisions are based on the overall application and interview evaluation.

ISB Hyderabad PGP Fees 2027

One of the most important latest updates is that ISB has published the 2027–28 PGP programme fee.

₹34,48,000 + GST

This fee is for:

• Shared accommodation
• Single-instalment payment
• Admission fee
• Commitment fee
• Tuition fee

There is also a ₹20,000 refundable security deposit.

ISB PGP Fee 2027–28

ComponentAmountProgramme Fee₹34.48 lakh + GSTAccommodationSharedSecurity Deposit₹20,000 refundableProgramme Duration12 months

The fee is indicative and subject to change, according to ISB.

Important

Students should not compare ISB's one-year programme fee directly with the tuition fee of a two-year MBA without considering the duration and opportunity cost.

ISB Hyderabad Placement 2026

ISB has released the latest final placement information for the PGP Class of 2026.

The results are particularly strong.

ISB PGP Class of 2026 Placement Highlights

Placement Parameter2026Students Graduated808Job Offers1,117Average Compensation₹37.29 LPAHighest Offer₹1.56 crore/yearIndustry Change67%Function Change69%International Offers30

The average compensation increased by approximately 11% over the previous cohort. ISB also reported that the cohort's average compensation after the programme was approximately 156% higher than its average pre-ISB compensation.

ISB Hyderabad Placement: Career Change

One of the strongest features of the ISB PGP is career mobility.

For the Class of 2026:

• 67% changed industry
• 69% changed function

This makes the programme particularly attractive for professionals seeking:

• IT to consulting
• Engineering to product management
• Finance to consulting
• Technology to strategy
• Operations to general management
• Marketing to product management
• Industry changes

ISB Hyderabad Top Recruiters

The latest PGP Class of 2026 placement cycle included recruiters from consulting, technology, BFSI, FMCG and e-commerce.

Consulting

• McKinsey & Company
• Boston Consulting Group
• Bain & Company
• Deloitte
• Accenture

Technology

• Amazon
• Google
• IBM
• BrowserStack
• Uber
• Razorpay
• InMobi
• Genpact

BFSI

• Mastercard
• Barclays
• Nomura
• Jefferies India
• Kotak Mahindra Capital
• Avendus Capital
• DSP Asset Managers

FMCG

• ITC
• P&G
• Tata Consumer Products
• L'Oréal
• AB InBev

E-commerce

• Flipkart
• Myntra
• Nykaa
• Swiggy
• Zomato/Eternal

ISB reported 25 first-time recruiters in the Class of 2026 placement cycle.

ISB Hyderabad Ranking 2026

ISB achieved an outstanding position in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026.

#12 Globally

#1 in India

#2 in Asia

The ranking also placed ISB:

• #1 globally for salary percentage increase
• #6 globally for alumni network

ISB has therefore strengthened its position as one of the most globally recognised Indian business schools.

ISB Hyderabad Alumni Network

ISB has developed a powerful global alumni network.

The school reports:

• 20,000+ alumni
• Presence across 60+ countries
• 800+ C-suite leaders
• 1,200+ entrepreneurs
• 13 unicorns associated with its alumni ecosystem

The alumni network is one of the major reasons ISB is attractive to professionals seeking career transitions and entrepreneurship opportunities.

ISB Hyderabad International Exposure

ISB provides international exposure through its global academic partnerships and exchange opportunities.

The current PGP programme information lists 57+ international partner institutions.

Students can gain exposure to:

• Global business environments
• International markets
• Cross-cultural management
• Global strategy
• International business practices

ISB Hyderabad Curriculum

The PGP is a highly intensive 12-month programme.

The curriculum combines:

• Core management subjects
• Electives
• Experiential learning
• Case-based learning
• Leadership development
• Entrepreneurship
• International exposure
• Industry interaction

The programme is designed to help professionals accelerate their careers rather than simply acquire theoretical management knowledge.

Does ISB Have a Summer Internship?

The ISB PGP is only 12 months long, so it does not follow the conventional summer internship model used by two-year MBA programmes.

Instead, ISB provides experiential opportunities including its Experiential Learning Programme (ELP).

ISB Hyderabad Scholarships & Financial Aid

ISB provides significant financial assistance to deserving students.

The school states that approximately 25% of PGP students receive financial support each year.

Scholarships and financial assistance include:

• Merit scholarships
• Need-based assistance
• Need-cum-merit support
• Diversity scholarships
• Donor-supported scholarships
• Full tuition waivers in selected cases

ISB's current financial-aid page lists multiple scholarship categories, including awards providing 25% to 100% tuition waivers.

Is ISB Hyderabad an MBA College?

This is an important distinction for SEO and student counselling.

ISB's PGP is frequently called an MBA-equivalent programme, but ISB itself clearly states:

The PGP is not an MBA degree.

ISB's PGP is a postgraduate management programme comparable in rigour and content to a global MBA, but it is neither a degree nor a diploma.

Therefore, websites should preferably use:

“ISB Hyderabad PGP Admission”

rather than presenting the programme as an MBA degree.

However, searches such as “ISB Hyderabad MBA Admission” remain highly relevant SEO keywords.

ISB Hyderabad PGP vs PGP YL

ISB has introduced a separate programme for younger candidates:

PGP YL – Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders

The PGP YL is designed for high-potential candidates with 0–2 years of work experience.

This programme is especially relevant for:

• Fresh graduates
• Candidates with limited work experience
• Early-career professionals
• High-achieving young leaders

ISB's PGP YL is a 20-month residential programme.

Applications are currently open for the PGP YL Class of 2027–29. The current Round 1 deadline is 20 December 2026, followed by Round 2 on 15 February 2027.

PGP YL Fee 2027–29

The latest official fee is:

₹25.60 lakh + GST

for shared accommodation and single-instalment payment.

A refundable security deposit of ₹20,000 is additional.

ISB states that PGP YL scholarships can provide up to 100% tuition waiver, and up to 40% of the class receives scholarship support under the current programme framework.

Which ISB Programme Should You Choose?

Candidate ProfileRecommended Programme0–2 years experiencePGP YL2+ years experiencePGP5+ years experiencePGP / Executive programmes depending on profile10+ years experiencePGP MAX may be relevantFamily business successorPGP MFABWorking professionalPGP PRO

The exact eligibility requirements should be checked for the relevant programme before applying.

ISB Hyderabad Admission 2027: Documents Required

Applicants should keep the following ready:

• Bachelor's degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• GMAT/GRE score
• Work-experience certificates
• Updated CV/resume
• Professional recommendation
• Achievement documents
• Identification documents
• Essays
• Other supporting documents requested by ISB

Candidates should ensure that the information submitted in the application is accurate and verifiable.

ISB Hyderabad Admission 2027: Step-by-Step Application

Step 1

Choose the appropriate ISB programme.

Step 2

Take the required GMAT/GRE examination for PGP.

Step 3

Create an ISB application account.

Step 4

Enter academic and professional information.

Step 5

Complete the leadership and learning essays.

Step 6

Submit professional recommendation.

Step 7

Upload required documents.

Step 8

Pay the application fee.

Step 9

Submit the application before the relevant deadline.

Step 10

Attend the interview if shortlisted.

Step 11

Wait for the final admission decision.

Is ISB Hyderabad Worth It?

For experienced professionals, ISB Hyderabad can be one of the strongest management education options in India.

The programme's major advantages include:

• #1 in India in FT Global MBA Ranking 2026
• #12 globally
• ₹37.29 LPA average compensation for PGP Class of 2026
• ₹1.56 crore highest offer
• Strong career-switching outcomes
• 20,000+ alumni
• Global partner institutions
• One-year programme
• Strong consulting, technology and BFSI recruitment
• Significant scholarship opportunities

The main consideration is the high programme cost and the fact that the PGP requires at least two years of work experience.

ISB Hyderabad vs IIMs

ISB is often compared with:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Indore
• IIM Mumbai
• XLRI Jamshedpur
• SPJIMR Mumbai

The biggest difference is the candidate profile.

ISB PGP: one-year programme, minimum 2 years work experience, GMAT/GRE.

Traditional IIM 2-year MBA/PGP: generally designed primarily for candidates entering management education earlier in their careers and uses CAT for the flagship programmes.

For an experienced professional seeking a major career transition, ISB's one-year format can be particularly attractive.

ISB Hyderabad Admission 2027: Latest Update Tracker

15 September 2026

Applications for the ISB PGP Class of 2028 are open, with the Round 1 deadline approaching on 20 September 2026.

Current PGP Fee Update

ISB has published the 2027–28 PGP fee of ₹34.48 lakh + GST, excluding the refundable ₹20,000 security deposit.

PGP YL Update

Applications are open for the PGP YL Class of 2027–29, with Round 1 closing on 20 December 2026.

Placement Update

The PGP Class of 2026 recorded 1,117 job offers, ₹37.29 lakh average compensation and a ₹1.56 crore highest offer.

Ranking Update

ISB ranked #12 globally and #1 in India in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ISB Hyderabad Admission 2027 deadline?

For the PGP Class of 2028, the three deadlines are 20 September 2026, 6 December 2026 and 17 January 2027.

What is the ISB Hyderabad PGP fee?

The latest 2027–28 programme fee is ₹34.48 lakh + GST, with shared accommodation and a refundable ₹20,000 security deposit.

What is the ISB Hyderabad average package?

The latest PGP Class of 2026 average compensation was ₹37.29 lakh per annum.

What is the highest package at ISB Hyderabad?

The highest offer reported for the PGP Class of 2026 was ₹1.56 crore per annum.

What is the ISB Hyderabad cutoff?

ISB does not publish a simple fixed GMAT/GRE cutoff. Admission is based on a holistic evaluation of test scores, academics, work experience, achievements, essays, recommendations and interview performance.

How much work experience is required for ISB PGP?

Candidates need a minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience as of 31 March of the joining year.

Does ISB Hyderabad accept CAT?

For the regular PGP, the current official requirement is GMAT/GRE. CAT is associated with the newer PGP YL admissions pathway, subject to the relevant cycle's rules.

Is ISB PGP an MBA?

No. ISB's PGP is not an MBA degree or diploma. It is a one-year postgraduate management programme comparable in rigour and content to a global MBA.

Is ISB Hyderabad better than IIMs?

It depends on the candidate. ISB is particularly attractive for experienced professionals seeking a one-year programme, strong career mobility and global exposure, while the top IIMs offer different programme structures and admission routes.

Does ISB guarantee placements?

No. ISB explicitly states that it does not guarantee placements, although its Career Advancement Services supports students in securing opportunities.

Expert Verdict: Is ISB Hyderabad Worth It?

ISB Hyderabad is one of India's strongest choices for experienced professionals seeking a high-impact management programme and significant career acceleration.

Its latest ₹37.29 LPA average compensation, ₹1.56 crore highest offer, #1 India ranking in FT Global MBA 2026, 20,000+ alumni and strong career-switching outcomes make it a compelling choice for professionals targeting consulting, technology, finance, product management, strategy and leadership roles.

For the 2027–28 PGP, the immediate deadline is 20 September 2026 for Round 1. Candidates who are ready should prepare their essays, recommendation and GMAT/GRE documentation rather than waiting until the final round.

Official Sources

• ISB Official PGP Programme
• ISB PGP Application Deadlines
• ISB PGP Eligibility & Requirements
• ISB PGP Fees & Scholarships
• ISB PGP Class of 2026 Placement Update
• ISB FT Global MBA Ranking 2026