List of Government MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

Government MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores 2025: The Common Admission Test, or CAT, serves as the premier pathway for individuals in India aspiring to pursue an MBA and gain admission to the top business schools in the nation. Private B-schools often get a lot of attention because of their campuses, but for serious candidates, government MBA colleges that accept CAT scores are still the best choice.

This is mostly because these B-schools have the best mix of tradition, academic excellence, and a return on investment (ROI) that can’t be beat. This blog has a complete list of the best government MBA colleges in India, along with their expected CAT cutoffs and fee structures for the 2025-26 academic year.

Also Check –

CAT 2025 Category-wise Expected Cutoffs for Top IIMs and B Schools

CAT 2025 Expected Cutoff for Non-IIMs

Why Choose Government MBA Colleges Through CAT?

Before we get into the list, it’s important to know why candidates place government institutions at the top of their list:

• Affordable Fees: The Delhi School of Economics (DSE) and FMS Delhi both offer MBA programs for less than ₹2 Lakhs.
• High ROI: The payback period is extremely short because the fees of these colleges are low and the average placements goes upto ₹25 LPA.
• National Recognition: In the business world, a degree from an IIM, IIT, or Central University is very important.
• Expert Faculty: The best government MBA colleges often have the most experienced teachers and researchers in the field.

Top 10 Government MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores 

Several non-IIM government institutions consistently rank in the top 10 and 20 based on the NIRF Ranking 2025. The table below showcases some of the best government MBA colleges based on the latest rankings.

Read More: CAT 2025 Expected Score for 99,95 & 90 Percentile

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Best Government MBA Colleges Apart from IIMs

While IIMs are the obvious choice, there are several other government colleges accepting CAT scores, which are often preferred for their brand name and lower fees.

1. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi

Commonly known as the “Red Building of Dreams,” FMS is famous for having the best ROI in the country. It is a department under the University of Delhi.

• Known for its ROI: The “IIM of the North,” offers a world-class MBA for only ₹2.32 Lakhs. Marketing Hub is the main place where FMCG giants like HUL, P&G, and ITC hire people. That’s why it’s known as the “CEO Factory.” 

2. DMS, IIT Delhi

DMS IIT Delhi is in the center of the capital and is known for its work in technology management and strategic consulting.

• Global Exposure: Students here can take part in a Global Field Study, where they can actually work on real international projects and learn how the global market works.
• Placement Highlight: DMS has a track record of 100% placement, with big offers from top consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG. 

3. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

IIFT has its campuses in Delhi and Kolkata. It used to have its own entrance exam, however from the past 2 years it has started accepting CAT scores for its most popular MBA program in International Business. 

• Trade Specialist: The Ministry of Commerce sets the curriculum for this top-notch International Business school.
• Global Placements: It majorly focuses on trade operations and logistics, with high-paying jobs in managing the global supply chain. 

4. SJMSOM, IIT Bombay

The Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management is a popular choice for recruiters looking for graduates with strong analytical skills. 

• Analytical Rigor: A top choice for recruiters looking for people with strong quantitative and analytical skills, especially in finance and technology.
• Operations Excellence: Has one of the toughest Supply Chain and Operations programs in India, combined with IIT Bombay’s technical labs.

Low-Cost Government MBA Colleges with High ROI

Students aiming for an MBA while seeking to minimize expenses should consider government colleges as their primary options. They accept CAT scores; however, their application methods may differ. 

Pro Tip: Colleges such as JBIMS largely consider MAH-CET marks, however they also accept CAT scores for All India seats, which are extremely competitive. 

How to Choose the Right Government MBA College?

When looking at government colleges beyond the IIMs, consider these three factors:

1. Technical vs. General Management

If you have an engineering background or want to work in Fintech, Operations, or Data Science, the IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur) are arguably better suited than many mid-tier IIMs. For General Management or Marketing, FMS Delhi and JBIMS remain the undisputed leaders.

2. Sectional Cutoffs vs. Overall Score

IITs like IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee usually have less strict sectional cutoff rules than the IIM system, which usually has a strict 80-80-80 rule. This makes them excellent choices if you have an imbalanced score profile. 

3. Niche Specializations

• International Business: IIFT Delhi is the premier government body for this.
• Finance: DSE and DFS (Delhi University) are legendary for their finance placements.
• Human Resources: Earlier TISS used to have its own entrance exam, recently they are starting to accept CAT scores for specialized programs.
• Marketing: FMS Delhi and JBIMS are often called the “CEO Factory.” Companies like HUL, P&G, and ITC look for new CEOs there.
• Operations: The best B-schools for Tech-Ops and Systems Management may include IIM Mumbai, SJMSOM, and IIT Bombay.

4. Location Advantage

Colleges in Delhi (FMS, IIT Delhi, IIFT) and Mumbai (IIM Mumbai, SJMSOM) are closer to corporate hubs, so they give students more opportunities to learn about the business world. 

Government MBA Colleges Admission Process Guide 2025

• CAT Registration: When you fill out the CAT form, make sure to choose the IIMs you want to go to. 
• College Applications: You need to fill out different application forms on the websites of non-IIM government colleges like FMS, IITs, and IIFT.
• Shortlisting: Your CAT score, academic record (10th, 12th, or Grad), and work experience are all taken into account. 
• Selection Rounds: Most colleges hold a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI) as part of their selection process. Some may have Group Discussions (GD).

Also Check: CAT 2025 GDPI & WAT Preparation

Conclusion

Your MBA journey doesn’t end if you don’t make it to an IIM. Selecting a government MBA institution such as FMS or an IIT offers a more secure financial foundation and comparable, if not superior, employment prospects. These universities represent the quintessential “value-for-money” business schools in India, characterized by minimal fees and substantial placement packages.

Also Read: CAT 2026 | CAT Online Coaching

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Name some of the best government MBA colleges accepting CAT scores? 

A: All of the IIMs, FMS Delhi, the best IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur), JNU, the University of Hyderabad, and NIT Trichy are the best government MBA colleges that accept CAT scores. 

Q: Do all government MBA colleges take CAT?

A: No, most IIT MBA programs and IIMs do not accept CAT. Instead, based on the program, some government universities use the CUET-PG or their own entrance exams. 

Q: Is IIM a private or government college?

A: The Government of India set up IIMs as independent public institutions. They are not completely owned by the government or by private companies.

Q: What CAT percentile is needed to get into a government MBA college?

A: It totally depends on the B-school. The leading IIMs and FMS boast exceptionally high percentiles, whereas the newer IIMs, IITs, and central universities feature lower cut-offs.