KMAT, CAT, CMAT, XAT 2026 exam dates announced for Kochi MBA admissions

Prospective students seeking admission to entrepreneurship and management programs in Kochi for the 2026 academic year now have access to complete details regarding courses, fees, admissions, and institutional rankings. The information covers various colleges, both private and government, offering MBA and BBA degrees.

Kochi features a total of 37 management colleges offering MBA programs, comprising 27 private institutions and four government institutions. Also, there are approximately 16 BBA colleges in the city, including both government and private entities, with fees ranging from INR 40,000 to INR 4,00,000.

MBA and PGDM Programs: Key Institutions and Admissions

Several institutions in Kochi offer MBA and PGDM programs, with admission primarily based on national entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, KMAT Kerala, MAT, and XAT. The eligibility criteria for MBA programs generally require a UGC-approved Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks, or 45% for reserved categories, besides passing these entrance examinations.

Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (XIME) Kochi, established in 2012, offers an AICTE-approved and NBA-accredited residential PGDM program, equivalent to an MBA. Specializations include Marketing, Analytics, Finance, Human Resources, General Management, Operations, and Information Technology. Admission to XIME Kochi’s PGDM is based on graduation marks and valid scores from CMAT, ATMA, MAT, CAT, XAT, GMAT, or KMAT. XIME Kochi reported a 98% placement rate, with the highest salary package in 2024 reaching INR 16.22 LPA. Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies, established in 1995, offers PG/Doctorate programs in Management and is accredited by NAAC, NBA, AACSB, and EFMD Global. Amrita School of Business Kochi, a private institute, requires Graduation plus CAT/KMAT for MBA admission and Post graduate plus UGC NET for Ph.D. The highest package at Amrita School of Business Kochi is 12.10 LPA, with an average package of 6.61 LPA.

BBA Programs and Fee Structures

Kochi hosts approximately 16 BBA colleges, both government and private, with fees for these programs ranging from INR 40,000 to INR 4,00,000. Several institutions offer 3-year BBA programs, while Jain University, Kochi, provides BBA programs for 2-3 years.

Sacred Heart College (SHC), established in 1944, offers a 3-year BBA program with fees of INR 91,473. Albertian Institute of Management (AIM), established in 2006, also offers a 3-year BBA program. International Academy, founded in 2002, has a 3-year BBA program with fees of INR 4,00,000. Amity Global Business School (AGBS Kochi), established in 2008, offers a 3-year BBA program with fees of INR 1,46,000. SCM Kochi, established in 2005, offers a 3-year BBA program with fees of INR 1,06,666.

Rankings and Placement Highlights

Kochi Business School, established in 2012 and affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, secured Rank 32 in India’s Top 50 Non-IIM B-Schools Survey 2026. It has also been awarded GSAAA Silver Membership in the GSAAA Ranking. Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies, Kochi, was ranked 16 out of 122 private B-Schools in 2025. When it comes to placements, Amity Global Business School, Kochi, recorded the highest package offered in Kochi at INR 23 LPA. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi reported a highest package of INR 21.9 LPA with an average package of INR 8.32 LPA.

Important Entrance Exam Dates for 2026 Admissions

Prospective students aiming for MBA admissions in Kochi for the 2026 academic year should note the announced dates for key entrance examinations. The KMAT exam is scheduled for February 22, 2026, while the CMAT exam will take place on January 25, 2026. The XAT exam is set for January 4, 2026. These examinations are crucial for securing admission to various management programs across institutions in Kochi.

Also, the CAT exam is slated for November 29, 2026. The MAT exam, which occurred in the previous year, was held between March 1 and March 8, 2025. Eligibility for MBA programs generally requires a UGC-approved Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks, or 45% for reserved categories, besides passing these national entrance examinations.

Further reading

• KMAT 2026 result expected soon: scorecard download on kmatindia.com
• KMAT 2026 Session 1: Download results by early October
• Karnataka Management Aptitude Test result: date and how to check Next step
• Apply to Bhubaneswar MBA 2026; fees ₹1-28 lakh. CAT/XAT/MAT/CMAT/OJEE accepted
• Amravati MBA: Apply by Oct 1, 2026 with national/state exam scores Applications open
• Karnataka Management Aptitude Test: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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