MBA Syllabus: Subject List, Entrance Exam, Books 2022

MBA syllabus is designed to provide holistic knowledge about the multiple aspects of the management sector and its role in the business world. MBA subjects cover a wide range of topics such as Managerial Economics, Accounting for Management, Business Communication, Information Technology Management, Marketing Management, etc. The MBA Syllabus focuses on inculcating managerial and entrepreneurial skills in the students.

The syllabus for MBA course consists of both core and elective MBA subjects. The MBA subjects are divided into 4 semesters, with each semester focusing on a particular aspect. MBA Syllabus 2022 for the 1st year is the same for all MBA specializations in most of the leading MBA colleges in India.

Regardless of the specialization, all MBA courses include Project Work, Seminars, Research Work, Report Writing, Industry Training, etc. The electives and MBA subjects differ among the specialization. 

Students can either pursue a regular MBA or a distance MBA, the syllabus for both types of MBA are similar. The entrance exam syllabus for MBA admission through any mode is similar. 

MBA Syllabus

• MBA syllabus is similar for all the B schools and it covers a wide variety of topics to assist students on business management essentials.
• Some of the most common MBA subjects are Principles of Management, Organisational Behaviour, and marketing. 
• There are a total of 11 core MBA subjects and 35 elective MBA subjects included under the MBA syllabus. 
• MBA syllabus is also curated for different MBA specializations like MBA Finance, MBA HR, MBA Marketing, and MBA IT.
• There are 4 semesters and 24 papers in total for 4 semesters in MBA

MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus 

The MBA entrance exam syllabus for MBA admission 2022 has a different pattern which depends upon the weightage of certain sections, the number of MCQs, as well as the marking scheme. Though, each MBA entrance exam includes a common list of topics as well as MBA subjects that are asked every year.

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Systems
• LCM and HCF
• Percentage Calculation
• Profit and Loss
• Simple And Compound Interest
• Speed, Time, And Distance
• Ratio and Proportion
• Linear and Quadratic Equations
• Binomial Theorem
• Probability
• Geometry
• Trigonometry

Data Interpretation

• Bar Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Pie Chart
• Tables
• Column Graph
• Venn Diagrams

Logical Reasoning

• Arrangements
• Prepositions
• Data Arrangement and Puzzles
• Logical Sequence, 
• Matching & Connections
• Number & Letters Series
• Clocks & Calendars

Verbal Ability

• Grammar Usage
• Reasoning
• Sentence Correction
• Fill in the blanks
• Idioms
• Paragraph Summary
• Facts/Inferences
• Meaning-Usage Match
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Blood Relations

Current Affiars and GK

• Constitution
• Government Laws
• History/Geography/Economics
• World Leaders Science
• Trade
• States & Capitals
• World Summits
• Famous People & Achievements

MBA Syllabus in India 2022

The MBA syllabus all over India is the same because the MBA subjects remain the same in all the institutions. The MBA subjects are mentioned here in a tabular format so that the students can check in detail about the MBA Syllabus.

MBA Subjects in 1st Semester

• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Microeconomics
• Principles of Marketing Management
• Principles of Accounting
• Tools and Framework of Decision Making
• Quantitative Methods and Statistics
• Business Communication and Soft Skills
• Organizational Behaviour 1

MBA 2nd Semester Subjects

• Macroeconomics
• Business Law
• Operations Management
• Optimization and Project Research
• Corporate Finance
• Project Management
• Marketing Management
• Organizational Behavior 2

MBA 3rd Sem Subjects

• Supply Chain Management
• Financial Modeling
• Strategic Management
• Business Intelligence
• Marketing Research
• Managerial Economics
• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics
• Corporate Finance 2

MBA Subjects List

MBA syllabus comprises the MBA subjects that are majorly needed to work in managerial positions, here are the MBA subjects that are offered in various colleges and universities in India. 

MBA Subjects List: Core

• Accounting and Financial Management
• Business Economics
• Corporate Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Leadership and Entrepreneurship
• Management of Change
• Management Theory and Practice
• Managing for Sustainability
• Marketing Management
• Research Methods
• Strategic Management

MBA Subjects List: Elective

• Systems and Processes
• Advanced Studies in Industrial Relations
• Auditing
• Business and Corporations Law
• Business Economics
• Communication in Business
• Corporate Finance
• Current Developments in Accounting Though
• Customer Behaviour
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Accounting 2
• Financial Markets and Instruments
• Financial Planning
• Global Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• ICT Project Management
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• International Human Resource Management
• Investments Analysis
• IT Infrastructure Management PG
• IT Management Issues
• IT Risk Management
• Leadership - A Critical Perspective
• Management Accounting for Costs and Control
• Management of Change
• Managing for Sustainability
• Managing Project and Service Innovation
• Organizational Behaviour
• Research Methods
• Strategic Human Resource Development
• Taxation 1
• Training and Development Environment

MBA Syllabus: Subject Details

The MBA subject details for the MBA syllabus 2022 have been mentioned here:

Management Process & Organizational Behavior - Introduction to Management, Process of Management, Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior, Individual & Group Behavior and Process in Organization

Decision Sciences - Descriptive Statistics, Linear Programming, Decision Theory, Transportation Problems

Managerial Economics - Introduction, Demand Analysis and Theory of Production, Theory of Cost and Market Structures, Introduction to Macroeconomics

Accounting for Management - Nature of Accounting Information, Cost Accounting, Performance Evaluation Techniques, Decision-Making Techniques

Information Technology Management - Computer Hardware and Number System, Computer Software, Data Communication and Network, Functional and Enterprise Systems

Business Communication - Theory of Communication, Forms of Communication, Important Parameters in Communication, Other Communication Parameters

Management of Technology, Innovation, and Change - Technology Management, Change Management, Innovations Management, Creative and Lateral Thinking Management

Financial Management - Nature and Scope of Financial Management, Planning for Sources of Finance, Retained Earning Vs. Dividend Decision, Capital Budgeting

Marketing Management - Introduction to Marketing, Product and Pricing Decisions, Promotion and Distribution Decisions, Emerging Trends and Issues in Marketing

MBA Elective Subject List

Followed by the core MBA syllabus, there are elective MBA subjects throughout the course curriculum covering topics like decision sciences, IT, economics, social sciences that are essential in a management career.

IIM B-schools also offer plenty of elective courses that cover a wide array of topics. The Elective courses with their study topics are listed below: 

Decision Science Subjects 

• Science and Management of Big Data
• Analytics for Cross-Functional Excellence
• Predictive Analysis for Business Forecasting
• Competitive Advantage of Speed in Business Operations
• Business Analytics and Intelligence
• Spreadsheet Modelling for Business Decision Problems
• Foundations of Market Microstructure
• Analytics for E-commerce and Retail Operations

Information Systems Subjects

• Big Data analysis with networks
• Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning
• Foundations of Machine Learning
• Information Systems and Development
• Managerial Digital Transformations
• Management of Information System and Technology
• Software Product Management

Finance and Accounting Subjects

• Financial Markets
• Advanced Corporate Finance
• Financial Derivatives
• Banking, Financial Markets, and Systems
• Corporate Valuations
• Project Appraisal and Financing
• Investments International Finance
• Investment Banking
• Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives
• New Enterprise Financing
• Global Securities Market
• Risk Management
• Introduction to Capital Market Theory
• General Commercial Knowledge
• Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Management of Commercial Contracts
• Active Investment Management

Economics and Social Sciences Subjects

• Behavioural Economics
• Business Law
• Public Economics
• International Macroeconomics
• Financial Macroeconomics
• Current Economic Scenario
• Global Macroeconomics and Financial Markets
• East and South East Asian Economics
• Imagining Indian Society and Culture through Indian Cinema
• Global Commons Negotiations and Business in Network Technologies

Entrepreneurship Subjects

• Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship
• Corporate Growth in Entrepreneurial Environment
• Investing in and leveraging your Social networks for Professional growth

Marketing Subjects

• Competitive Marketing Strategy
• Brand Management
• International Marketing
• Strategy, tactics, and economics of pricing
• Marketing Communication
• Services Marketing
• E-Commerce
• Business to Business Marketing
• Marketing Management in the World of Hi-tech and Innovation
• Consumer Behaviour
• Digital Marketing
• Research for Marketing Decisions
• Multi-Channel Retail Strategy Customer Acquisition and Retention
• Customer Relationship Management
• Product Strategy and Management

Other MBA Elective Subjects

• Management Communication
• Public Policy
• Strategy
• Production and Operations Management
• Organizational Behaviour and HRM

MBA Syllabus: Specializations wise

There are a number of MBA Specializations offered by Top MBA Colleges in India for students to excel in a specific field and enhance their knowledge about the course. Generally, the MBA syllabus of any  Specialization will have general MBA subjects in the first year, and post that, students will be taught the MBA subjects of their respective fields of MBA Course.

MBA Finance Syllabus

MBA Finance is a specialized MBA course for students who want to learn the different aspects of finance studies and its applications in the setting of business and management. Here is the detailed MBA Finance syllabus and the MBA subjects in Finance.

Financial Reporting - Auditing, Budget analysis, Business strategy, Financial Accounting, etc.

Managerial Accounting - Job order costing, Process costing, Absorption costing vs. variable costing, Understanding cost behavior and cost-volume-profit analysis, Operational budgeting, Pricing of individual products and services, etc.

Portfolio Management - Behavioral Finance Theory, Derivatives. Options, Factors, risk premia, Analysis of individual factors/risk premia, Fixed income and structured finance, International Investing, Long-term/retirement investing, etc.

Financial Risk Management - Enterprise Risk Management, Business Interruption, Captive Insurance, Claims Management, Climate Change, Crisis Management, Cyber Risk, Disaster Preparedness, Legal Risks, Reinsurance, etc.

MBA HR Syllabus

MBA HR is one of the most popular MBA specializations in India that is opted by thousands of aspirants every year. The core MBA subjects HR include fundamentals of HR Management, HRM in the Service Sector, etc. Here is more of it in detail.

Fundamentals of HR Management - HR Management: Concepts and Challenges, Human Resource Development, Line Management in HR, HR Policies and Practices, etc.

HRM in the Service Sector - Manufacturing and Service Sector, Difference in HR Practices, Training and Empowerment for Customer Satisfaction, Compensation and Reward Structure, etc.

Managing Redundancy - Definition of Redundancy, Impact of Redundancy on Organization, Employees, and Society, Managing Redundancy, etc.

Performance Management - Objectives of Performance and Appraisal, Methods of Performance and Appraisal, Appraisal Forms and Formats, Appraisal Communication, etc.

MBA Marketing Syllabus

MBA Marketing is one of the oldest and most pursued disciplines of management study in India. It is very popular among students since it provides multiple job opportunities in the market.

Human Resource/Organizational Behavior - Managing Organizations, Managing People, and Performance in an Organization, etc.

Business Environment  - Concept, Significance, and nature of Business Environment, Broad profile of Indian Economy, Industrial Policy - its historical perspective(in brief), Industrial Policy Liberalisation, etc.

Marketing Management - Concept, nature, scope, and importance of marketing, Communication Process, Factors affecting price determination; Pricing policies and strategies, etc.

Consumer Behavior - Introduction to Consumer Behaviour(CB), Individual Determinants of CB, Environmental Influences on CB, etc.

MBA IT Syllabus

MBA IT is one of the best technical MBA degrees in India. It covers different aspects of managing IT systems and employees in your team and developing skills that help in this process. 

Some of the common MBA subjects included in the MBA Syllabus for IT are IT entrepreneurship, Bio design Data, Big data and data mining, New energy technology, etc.

Computer Applications in Management - Computer Programs & Software, Office Management: IT in Business, etc.

Big Data and Data Mining - Parallel Distributed Processing, Large Scale Visualization, Anomaly Detection, Information Extraction, etc.

MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus

MBA entrance exams include CAT, MAT, NMAT, CMAT, XAT, and other college-level entrance exams, the exam pattern for which is common in most cases, although sections may vary.

The most popular entrance exam CAT is directed by the IIM in November in online mode in more than 156 urban areas.

CAT syllabus for MBA consists of MCQs from Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

Ques. What are the MBA Subjects in MBA Syllabus? 

Ans. Some of the subjects that most of the specialization offered in MBA Syllabus are:-

• Marketing
• HR Management
• Finance
• Business law
• Communication Skills
• Entrepreneurship

Ques: What are the subjects in Operations Management in MBA Syllabus?

Ans: The important MBA subjects in MBA operation management are-

• Project Management
• Business Statistics
• Supply chain Management
• Materials Management
• Financial Accounting and Management
• International Logistics 

Ques. What are the core subjects in MBA Syllabus?

Ans: The MBA subject courses are almost related or similar to the 12th subjects like Entrepreneurship, HR Management, Leadership, IT, Marketing, Finance, and Accounting. 

Ques. Why is an MBA course so expensive?

Ans: The degree is a capability that gives an understudy a stage up in their vocation and improves their fitness and ability. In this way, the education cost for an MBA course additionally incorporates an Opportunity Cost. This expense is inescapable compensation, proficient experience, and maybe an advancement.

Ques: How many subjects are there in MBA Syllabus of first year?

Ans: MBA is a two-year program with 4 semesters. It might differ from school to school, for example, If you are concentrating from a college, you will probably have 2 Semesters in a year - with 8-10 subjects for each semester.

Ques. What are the MBA subjects in MBA Syllabus of 1st semester?

Ans. The syllabus of MBA subjects in MBA syllabus 1st semester at IIM Ahmedabad in 1st term is given below.

• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Financial Markets
• Human Resource Management
• Individual Dynamics
• Legal Aspects of Business
• Managerial Computing
• Microeconomics
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Quantitative Methods
• Written Analysis and Communication.

Ques. What is the MBA syllabus for Entrance Exams?

Ans: The top MBA entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, etc, all have almost the MBA syllabus. The common topics included in these exams are divided into the following sections majorly:

• Quantitative Aptitude
• Logical Reasoning
• Data Interpretation
• Verbal Ability
• Reading Comprehension
• Some exams might also ask about General Studies, General Awareness, GK and Current Affairs.

Ques. Is the MBA syllabus different for different MBA courses?

Ans: Yes, different MBA courses and specializations have different needs and the MBA syllabus for each MBA specialization is different from others in some way. However, in 1st year or 1st semester, the syllabus is almost the same for most branches. For example, IIM Ahmedabad covers aspects of Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, and Legal Affairs in the 1st term.

Ques. What are the MBA subjects in MBA Syllabus for Finance?

Ans. The most common topics in MBA Syllabus for Finance are:

• Corporate Financial Reporting and Analysis
• International Finance
• Infrastructure and Project Finance
• Behavioural Finance
• Cost Management
• Financial Risk
• Financial Modelling.

Ques. What are the MBA subjects in Marketing?

Ans. The most common topics in MBA Syllabus for Finance are:

• Managerial Economics
• Business Environment
• Marketing Management
• Consumer Behaviour
• Sales Management
• Advertising Management
• Service Marketing
• E-Commerce.

Ques. What are the MBA subjects in MBA syllabus for HR?

Ans. The most common topics in MBA Finance Syllabus are:

• Organizations
• Managing People
• HRM in the Service Sector
• Managing Redundancy
• Performance Management
• Fundamentals of HRM.

Ques. Which is the easy subject or specialization in the MBA course?

Ans: HR and Marketing subjects are straightforward in light of the fact that it's all a hypothesis. Finance subjects require progressively quantitative aptitude.