ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test Eligibility Criteria 2026

IBSAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

ICFAI has published the IBSAT 2025 eligibility criteria on its official website ibsindia.org/admissions/. Candidates must check these criteria before registering for IBSAT 2025. Failure to meet the criteria will lead to cancellation of candidature.

IBSAT 2025 is scheduled for 27 and 28 December 2025. The basic requirement is a minimum of 55% in a Bachelor's degree with English as the medium of instruction. There is no upper age limit for IBSAT 2025 registration.

• Each degree should be in English medium. If not, candidates must submit TOEFL/ NELT/ IELTS scores by May 31, 2026.
• For the MBA program, a minimum of 15 years of education (on 10+2+3 OR 10+2+5) must be completed.
• For the Ph.D. program, a minimum of 17 years of regular education must be completed (in 10+2+3+2 or 10+2+4+2 module).
• Students in their final year of graduation can apply, provided they complete graduation by November 30, 2025.
• There is no upper age limit to apply for the exam.
• Candidates with a valid NMAT/ GMAT/ CAT/ XAT score can directly participate in the IBSAT 2025 selection procedure.

Exemption from IBSAT 2025

Candidates qualified in GMAT, NMAT, CAT, or XAT are exempted from IBSAT 2025. For PhD programs at IBS campuses, M.Phil degree holders, IBS Alumni, and UGC NET qualified candidates are also exempted from IBSAT 2025.

Qualifiers of the examination must appear for GD and PI rounds at IBS Hyderabad for final selection. There are 9 IBS-Schools accepting IBSAT 2025 scores and offering more than 4500 seats.

MBA/ PGPM Programs Eligibility

Bachelor's Degree

• The minimum eligibility requirement is graduation in any discipline with not less than 50% marks.
• Candidates in their final year of a bachelor's degree course can apply, provided they complete all graduation requirements (including practical exam/ viva/ assignments) within the date specified by the institute.
• Admission for such candidates remains provisional until they submit mark sheets and degree certificates stating their eligibility.

Minimum 15 Years of Study

• Applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 years of education (on 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 basis).
• Graduates with a course completed on a one-time sitting basis or on a two-year basis will not be eligible.

English Medium Only

• Candidates applying for IBSAT 2025 must have studied English as the medium of instruction.
• Applicants not meeting this criteria at the undergraduate level must submit their TOEFL/ NELT/ IELTS scores before May 31, 2026.

PhD Programs Eligibility

Graduation in any discipline with 50% and above marks with English as the medium of instruction is required. Candidates not meeting the English medium criteria in graduation and/ or post-graduation must submit TOEFL/ NELT/ IELTS scores within the specified date.

PhD Program in Management (Full time/ Part time)

• PG in Management (full time with specialization in Marketing/ Finance/ Human Resource Management/ Operations from an UGC-approved University) with 55% and above marks. OR
• PG (full-time) in Economics, Commerce, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Statistics, Mathematics, or in an allied discipline from a recognized University in India or abroad with 55% and above marks. OR
• A Professional qualification like CFA/ CA/ CWA/ CS with 55% and above marks.
• Applicants must have completed a minimum of 17 years of regular education (on 10+2+3+2 or 10+2+4+2 basis).
• Applicants who have completed graduation/ post graduation on a one-time sitting basis or on part-time, distance mode or online mode are not eligible for the PhD program of IBS Hyderabad.

PhD Program in Economics (Full time)

The eligibility details for the PhD Program in Economics are part of the PhD programs criteria listed above.

IBSAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for IBSAT 2025, a candidate must hold a graduation degree with at least 50% marks. Additionally, a postgraduate degree in Economics or an allied discipline requires a minimum of 55% marks.

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 17 years of regular education. This education must be on a 10+2+3+2 or 10+2+4+2 basis.

Candidates who completed their graduation or post-graduation through one-time sitting, part-time, distance, or online modes are not eligible for the Ph.D. program at IBS Hyderabad. The medium of instruction at the undergraduate level must be English.

IBSAT 2025 Reservation Policy

The conducting body has not defined a specific reservation policy for IBSAT 2025. There are no fixed norms for IBSAT seat allotment.

• The aggregate marks requirement is the same for all categories. Reserved category candidates must secure the same marks as general category candidates.
• The minimum marks required to appear for IBSAT 2025 is 50% for the MBA/PGPM program.
• The application fee of INR 1800 is the same for all categories. There is no fee relaxation for SC, ST, or OBC categories.
• IBSAT does not guarantee any seat to reserved categories. Every candidate is treated at par.
• All candidates must fulfil all mandatory eligibility conditions for admission to any IBS college.

Exemption from IBSAT 2025

Candidates with a valid score in certain other exams are exempt from the IBSAT examination. They will be directly called for the IBSAT 2025 Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

The accepted exams are:

• CAT
• GMAT
• NMAT by GMAC
• XAT

These exams act as substitutes for IBSAT for admission to management programs at the 9 IBS Campuses.

IBSAT Eligibility Criteria FAQs

Can a final year student apply for IBSAT 2025?

Yes, candidates in their final year can apply for IBSAT 2025.

What is the age limit for IBSAT 2025?

The conducting body has not defined any fixed age limit for candidates.

Is there a reservation policy for IBSAT 2025?

No, there is no defined reservation criteria or policy for any category. There are no fixed norms for IBSAT seat allotment.

• Aggregate marks requirements are similar for every category.
• The minimum marks required to appear for IBSAT 2025 is 50% for the MBA/PGPM program.
• Every candidate is treated at par, so there is no reservation for any category.

Can a candidate with education in a regional language apply?

Candidates must submit scores from one of the following exams: TOEFL, NELT, or IELTS.

Is there any fee relaxation for reserved category candidates?

No, the application fee of INR 1800 is the same for all categories. There is no relaxation for SC, ST, or OBC categories.

All candidates must fulfil all mandatory eligibility conditions to gain admission to any IBS college.