Cheapest MBA and great ROI if you make the most of your time here

Eligibility: Any graduate with 45% marks are eligible. Application: The application fee is 700 INR + transaction charges and the application is out in June-July on their website. The test was conducted in late August. At the time of application, you are asked to indicate your preference between their three MBA programs - MBA (Full time), MBA (International Business), and MBA (Entrepreneurship and Family Business). Competition for MBA (FT) is tough. Entrance test: Jamia Millia Islamia carries out its own country-wide entrance test for MBA programs. The test paper is very similar to CAT papers comprising 170 MCQs on logical reasoning, English comprehension, current affairs and quantitative questions. The test carries a negative mark of 0.25 for each incorrect answer. Shortlisted candidates are invited for a 30 marks GD+PI conducted online and offline. Score 60+ in the MCQs to make sure you have an admission offer.

Why I'm doing an MBA from JMI: I did not plan to do an MBA this year (2021). I had only applied at JMI and because my elder brother pressured me to. I had not even studied for the entrance test but somehow scored enough to clear the entrance + GD/PI in the first list in the general category (Rank: 2). I decided to take admission as I failed my startup and couldn't find a job. Courses: In the MBA (Full time), you are offered seven specializations to choose from. I plan to study Finance (major) and IT (minor). I also plan to learn Python, SQL and Tableau and will look for a data scientist/ machine learning engineer role at the end. There are a few courses on AI, SQL, and database management in the IT specialisation too. Besides, course choices in other specializations are plenty. Faculties: In total, there are 15 permanent and 17 guest faculties for a cohort of 400+ students at the Centre for Management Studies. Faculties are good and term exams are conducted on time.

Companies like Bajaj Finance, KMPG, Zomato, and EY offer internships to students. Internships are mandatory worth 8 credits in the third semester. Internships are of 8-10 weeks during the semester break after the second semester. All students find an internship and most are able to find a paid internship with stipend between 6000 to 10000 INR. The highest stipend offered was 40,000 INR for a 45-day internship. Since most students major in Marketing, Finance and HR, they do internships in their respective fields.

90%+ students are placed in the college placements and most students are placed for the 4-6 LPA packages. The highest package offered in 2020 was 14.5 LPA. Many students also seek employment outside the college placement and are able to find good packages outside as well. The campus placement is organised for all four MBA programs. Placements began in the third semester around Oct-Dec. Companies like EY, Zomato, and Bajaj Finance participate in the campus drive. I plan to find a good job with a big 4 after I graduate.

Fees and scholarships: The MBA (FT) program is probably the cheapest MBA in India. The fee is 23,500 INR per annum and the Centre for Management Studies offer merit and means scholarships as well. Besides, there are plenty of other scholarships offered by the Alumni Association, Teachers Association, and other groups at JMI. Internship: Most students find a paid internship and a job after they graduate. The median package offered at the placement in 4-6 LPA and the highest package offered in 2020 was 14.5 LPA. Some of the top recruiters include Bajaj Finance, EY, Zomato, etc.

Campus life: The campus life at JMI is so rich, you can find something somewhere on the campus almost in any given week of the year. There are a few popular annual events as well like the Jamia foundation day. The campus is huge and beautiful and connected well via metro, bus services, and e-rickshaws. Library: There is a library at the Centre for Management Studies (the MBA department) and the Zakir Hussain Central Library. The libraries are rich in the collection, especially the central library. Classroom amenities: Classrooms at the CMS are large and equipped with AC and cushioned seats.

JMI carries out a country-wide entrance test for its MBA programs. The test papers are very similar to CAT papers comprising 170 MCQs on logical reasoning, quantitative abilities, English comprehension, and current affairs. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and for each incorrect answer, 0.25 mark is deducted. Score 60+ in the MCQs to make sure that you are shortlisted for the GD+PI round. GD is of 10 marks and PI is of 20 marks. I had the option to appear online or offline at the JMI campus for the GD+PI round. If you prepare well, you can score good in this round. Out of the total 200 marks, the cut-offs for MBA (FT) in 2021 was as follows: General - 85.5 Muslim minority - 81.75 Muslim OBC/ST - 79.5 Muslim women - 79.25 Various PWDs - 56-68 J&K - 73.25 Kashmiri Migrants - 42.25