Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT in Mumbai: Cut-offs, Placements & Admission Process

---

Introduction

Mumbai—the city of dreams—is not just India’s financial powerhouse but also a thriving hub for management education. Each year, thousands of MBA aspirants target top B-schools in Mumbai, many of which accept scores from the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for their PGDM or MMS programs.

If you’re appearing for XAT 2026 and considering an MBA in Mumbai, this guide is your go-to resource. We’ll explore:

• Top colleges in Mumbai accepting XAT

• Percentile cut-offs

• Placement data

• Admission process (including CAP Round for MMS programs)

Let’s decode your MBA journey in Maximum City.

---

Why Choose MBA Colleges in Mumbai That Accept XAT?

Here’s why Mumbai is a preferred destination for management studies:

• 🎯 Industry Access: Be close to India’s top corporates, MNCs, and startups.

• 🤝 Networking Opportunities: Alumni meets, conclaves, and industry tie-ups create a fertile ground for future leaders.

• 🌍 Diverse Student Pool: Learn from peers with varied academic and professional backgrounds.

• 📈 Strong ROI: Mumbai’s B-schools offer excellent placement records, especially in BFSI, Consulting, and Marketing.

---

Top MBA/PGDM Colleges in Mumbai Accepting XAT 2026

Below is a list of well-known PGDM colleges in Mumbai that accept XAT scores for admission:

✅ Note: XAT cut-offs may vary based on profile-based shortlisting and seat category. Always refer to the institute’s official website for the most updated figures.

---

Maharashtra MMS Colleges Through CAP Round Accept XAT Too!

If you’re applying through the Maharashtra CAP (Centralized Admission Process) for MMS programs, here’s great news:
All India Seats (usually 15–20% of intake) in MMS colleges accept XAT scores, along with CAT, CMAT, MAT, and ATMA.

✅ Top CAP Colleges in Mumbai Accepting XAT via All India Quota:

• JBIMS (Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies)

• SIMSREE (Sydenham)

• SIES College of Management Studies

• MET, IES, Chetana, Lala Lajpatrai, Pillai, VESIM etc.

These MMS programs are affiliated with Mumbai University and offer excellent ROI.

📌 Tip: Admission through CAP is centralized via the MAH MBA CET portal, and you can apply using XAT if you’re from outside Maharashtra.

---

XAT Cut-off Trends in Mumbai PGDM Colleges

Here’s what affects cut-offs:

• Overall XAT Difficulty: Every year’s paper varies in toughness.

• Profile Evaluation: Work experience and academics matter in profile-based shortlisting.

• Seat Intake: Colleges with fewer seats or high demand usually have higher cut-offs.

Typical XAT Percentile Brackets:

• 75–80%ile: Welingkar

• 70–75%ile: NL Dalmia, SIES

• 60–70%ile: IES, MET, Chetana, VESIM, ITM Navi Mumbai

---

Placement Overview: What ROI Can You Expect?

Mumbai’s location gives its B-schools a placement edge. Here’s a snapshot:

🔹 Welingkar Mumbai

• Avg CTC: ₹12.25 LPA

• Top Recruiters: Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte, HDFC Bank

• Sectors: Consulting, BFSI, Tech

🔹 NL Dalmia

• Avg CTC: ₹10.0 LPA

• Highest: ₹15+ LPA

• Notable Recruiters: Morgan Stanley, Infosys, Tata Capital, CRISIL

🔹 SIES

• Avg CTC: ₹8LPA

• Top Profiles: Marketing, Finance, Operations

• Recruiters: ICICI Bank, EY, Tech Mahindra

🔹 ITM Navi Mumbai

• Avg CTC: ₹8 LPA

• Placement Rate: 100%

• Highlight: Industry Internship Program (IIP)

---

MBA Admission Process Through XAT (2026)

Here’s a typical step-by-step for PGDM colleges and MMS (CAP-based) admissions:

Step 1: Appear for XAT 2026

• Conducted by XLRI in Jan 2026

• Key Sections: Verbal, Decision Making, Quant, GK + Essay (not used in score but evaluated by some colleges)

Step 2: Apply to Colleges Separately

• PGDM colleges like NL Dalmia, SIES, MET have their own forms.

• MMS colleges participate in CAP Round via MAH MBA CET.

Step 3: GD-PI or WAT

• Shortlisted candidates are called for:

  • Group Discussions / Extempore

  • Personal Interviews

  • Essay Writing / Case Analysis

  • Some colleges also conduct psychometric tests

Step 4: Final Selection

• Based on:

  • XAT percentile

  • Academic record

  • Work experience

  • Performance in GD-PI

  • Diversity & extracurriculars (varies by college)

---

How to Choose the Right MBA College in Mumbai (XAT-based)?

Choosing a B-school is more than just looking at rankings. Here’s what to factor in:

• 🎓 Specializations Offered: Are your interests (e.g., Finance, Analytics, HR) well supported?

• 🧑‍🏫 Faculty & Industry Connect: Does the college regularly bring in real-world practitioners?

• 🏢 Placement Support: How many companies visit? Which sectors dominate?

• 🌐 Alumni Network: Strong alumni = better job & internship opportunities

• 🏫 Accreditation: Look for AICTE approval, NBA accreditation, or AIU equivalence.

---

Conclusion: A Strategic Path to an MBA via XAT in Mumbai

If you’re targeting a high-ROI MBA in India, then colleges in Mumbai accepting XAT 2026 scores are an excellent bet.

Whether you aim for PGDM programs like Welingkar or MMS via CAP, you get:

• Corporate exposure

• Great faculty

• Diverse batchmates

• Strong placement records

Start preparing for XAT 2026 now, shortlist the right colleges based on your profile, and keep an eye on CAP deadlines for MMS admissions.

---

🔖 Bonus: FAQs

Q1: Is XAT accepted by MMS colleges in Mumbai?
✅ Yes, via CAP Round under All India quota.

Q2: Does NL Dalmia accept XAT?
✅ Yes, for its AICTE-approved PGDM program.

Q3: Which is the best college in Mumbai accepting XAT under 75 percentile?
Welingkar, NL Dalmia, SIES, and MET are top choices in that bracket.

Q4: When does CAP Round start for MMS admissions?
🗓️ Usually around June–July, post the MAH CET result declaration.