Master of Business Administration [MBA]

Kerala University MBA is offered through the Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) on the Kariavattom campus in Thiruvananthapuram. IMK runs three full-time specializations: General, Travel and Tourism, and Shipping and Logistics, with 105 total seats. The 2-year programme requires KMAT Kerala, CAT, or CMAT. Fees range from INR 17,465 to INR 26,250 per semester.

📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. KMAT 2026 Session 2 provisional results were published on 15 June 2026.

Key Points

• IMK is a government-run business school directly under Kerala University with over 50 years of operation, making it one of the oldest state-sector management institutes in South India.
• The MBA Travel and Tourism specialization at IMK was designed to serve Kerala’s thriving tourism economy and is one of the few tourism-focused MBA programmes at a public university in India.
• The MBA Evening batch at IMK is structured as a 24-month working-professional programme, allowing candidates to remain employed while completing their MBA on evenings and weekends.

Kerala University MBA Fees 2026

Fees at IMK are fixed by Kerala University and the fee regulatory committee. The MBA General programme charges INR 17,465 per semester in tuition, totalling INR 69,860 for four semesters. MBA Travel and Tourism and Shipping and Logistics charge INR 26,250 per semester, totalling INR 1,05,000 for the programme. Additional university fees apply at the time of allotment.

• Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.

Kerala University MBA Admission 2026

Important Dates

• Counselling schedule is announced on the official IMK website.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
• Valid score in KMAT Kerala, CAT, or CMAT from the current admission cycle.
• Candidates must clear the GD and PI rounds conducted by IMK after qualifying on entrance exam scores.

Admission Process

• Appear for KMAT Kerala, CAT, or CMAT and obtain a valid scorecard.
• Apply to IMK through the Kerala University MBA admissions portal with the scorecard and required documents.
• Shortlisted candidates are called for Group Discussion and Personal Interview at IMK, Kariavattom.
• Final merit list is prepared combining entrance exam score, academic performance, and GD-PI score.
• Confirm admission by reporting to IMK with original certificates and paying fees within the stipulated date.

Kerala University MBA vs Other Colleges

Here is how Kerala University MBA at IMK compares with CUSAT and Calicut University on fees, exams, and ratings.

✓ Opt for this if

• You want a low-fee, government MBA from a state university with over five decades of academic standing.
• You are targeting Kerala’s tourism or logistics industry and want a domain-specific MBA in Travel and Tourism or Shipping and Logistics.
• You are a working professional in Thiruvananthapuram and need the evening MBA format to study without leaving employment.

✗ Skip if

• You need a highly ranked B-school with established national recruiter networks and verified placement packages.
• You are targeting roles outside Kerala and need a stronger national brand recognition from your MBA.
• You scored well on CAT and have access to IIMs or top private B-schools with significantly better placement outcomes.

Kerala University MBA Scholarships 2026

MBA students at Kerala University are eligible for government scholarship schemes covering fees and providing financial support.

• Scholarship amounts and deadlines are subject to revision by respective authorities.

Kerala University MBA FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between IMK and UIMs for Kerala University MBA?

Ans. IMK (Institute of Management in Kerala) is the flagship business school of Kerala University, located on the main Kariavattom campus in Thiruvananthapuram. It has over five decades of academic standing and offers the full MBA portfolio including Travel and Tourism and Shipping and Logistics specializations. UIMs (University Institutes of Management) are regional extension centres of Kerala University that offer the MBA General programme in other districts. The degree credential is the same from both, but IMK has a more established alumni network and recruiter relationship in Thiruvananthapuram.

Ques. Can I get into IMK Kerala University MBA with only a KMAT score and not CAT?

Ans. Yes. IMK accepts KMAT Kerala, CAT, and CMAT scores for MBA admission. A CAT score is not required specifically. KMAT Kerala is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations, Government of Kerala, in two sessions each year. If your KMAT score meets the shortlisting threshold and you perform well in the subsequent GD and PI rounds at IMK, you are eligible for admission regardless of whether you took CAT or not.

Ques. What makes the MBA Travel and Tourism at Kerala University different from a general MBA?

Ans. MBA Travel and Tourism at IMK is designed for management careers in hospitality, tourism operations, destination management, airline services, and travel agency management. The curriculum includes tourism policy, hospitality finance, destination marketing, and tourism law alongside standard management subjects. Kerala’s tourism economy makes this programme particularly relevant, with industry visits from the state’s hotel and travel sector. Graduates enter a sector with strong demand for management professionals in South India’s tourism hubs.

Ques. Is the MBA Evening batch at IMK valued the same as the full-time degree?

Ans. Yes, the MBA Evening batch at IMK results in the same Kerala University MBA degree as the full-time programme. The curriculum is equivalent, and the degree certificate does not indicate whether the programme was full-time or evening mode. The evening batch is recognised by employers the same way as the full-time MBA. The primary advantage is that you can continue working and earning while completing the degree over 24 months, reducing the opportunity cost compared to a full-time programme.

Ques. What sectors do IMK Kerala University MBA graduates typically work in?

Ans. IMK graduates have entered BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance), IT services, hospitality, logistics, and Kerala’s public sector enterprises. Recruiters from the Thiruvananthapuram area include Federal Bank, Berger Paints, and Tata Consulting. The Shipping and Logistics specialization opens opportunities in Kerala’s major ports and the logistics sector, while Travel and Tourism graduates enter hotel chains, airline management, and state tourism bodies. Graduates also pursue civil services and Kerala state PSC roles where an MBA from a government institution is a well-regarded credential.