Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon, one of India’s top B-schools, has officially started its application process for the 2026-28 MBA batch. Being a CAT 2025 aspirant, you must be aware of this important update. MDI Gurgaon is ranked among the top B-schools in India and very popular among CAT aspirants for its strong academic curriculum, stellar placements, and diverse program offerings. But this year, there’s a big update in the final selection criteria before filling out the MDI Gurgaon application form. Let’s break it down step-by-step; from programs offered, fees, important dates to complete the revised selection process.
Join this free WhatsApp group to get the latest information about CAT exam along with the strategies by CAT experts
Programs Offered at MDI Gurgaon
MDI Gurgaon offers multiple flagship programs that cater to different career aspirants.
- PGDM-General MBA: MDI Gurgaon flagship program offers its first year students to study core management subjects, and in the second year, they can choose their preferred specialization.
- PGDM-Human Resource Management: This is a specialized program which is focused mainly on HR leadership and talent management. This program is perfect for those who wish to build careers in Human Resource, Learning & Development, or people strategy roles.
- PGDM-International Business: Students who enrolled for PGDM-IB at MDI Gurgaon spend their two semesters at partner B-schools in France i.e., Emlyon Business School, Lyon, and ESCP Business School, which provides international exposure and global education experience.
- PGDM in Business Analytics: Very few business schools offer a dedicated MBA program in Business Analytics. This program at MDI Gurgaon is ideal for those candidates who wish to work in data-driven business roles.
MDI also has one more campus at Murshidabad campus, but Gurgaon campus is still the preferred choice among aspirants due to its location, legacy, and placement opportunities.
MDI Gurgaon: Application Process, Fees, and Important Dates
The application process of MDI gurgaon is now open and will close on 28th November 2025 at 5:00 p.m., before the CAT exam. This implies that you need to apply in advance without waiting for your CAT results.
Here’s the fee structure for the application form:
| Campus | Application Fee |
| MDI Gurgaon | INR 3000/- |
| MDI Murshidabad | INR 1770/- |
| Both Campuses | INR 3590/- |
MDI does not follow any reservation policy, hence there is no fee waiver based on category (General/OBC/SC/ST/PwD). The application fee remains the same irrespective of your category.
MDI Gurgaon: Initial Shortlisting Criteria & Final Selection Criteria (2026-28 Batch)
Before diving into the major changes in selection criteria of MDI Gurgaon, let’s know how MDI used to shortlist candidates:
Criteria for Shortlisting at Stage-I
Stage-I (Shortlisting for WAT-GD-PI)
| Component | Weightage |
| CAT Score | 70% |
| Class 10th Marks | 5% |
| Class 12th Marks | 5% |
| Graduation Marks | 5% |
| Academic Diversity (Engineers/Non-Engineers) | 2.5% |
| Gender Diversity (Male/Female) | 2.5% |
| Work Experience | 10% |
This shortlisting criteria at MDI Gurgaon has made it one of the most favorable B-schools for aspirants with average academics but a good CAT percentile. A CAR score of 96-97 percentile could get you a call of other parameters worked in your favor.
Criteria for Final Selection at Stage-II (Major Changes)
Stage-II (Final Selection-MDI Ranking)
| Component | Weightage |
| CAT Score | 35% |
| Behavioural Assessment Test | 5% |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) | 5% |
| Group Discussion | 10% |
| Personal Interview (PI) | 20% |
| Graduation | 5% |
| Academic Diversity (Engineer/Non-Engineer) | 2.5% |
| Gender Diversity (Male/Female) | 2.5% |
| Regional Diversity (Candidates from North-East, Jammu & Kashmir) | 2.5% |
| Sports (Only for National & International level competition) | 2.5% |
| Work Experience | 10% |
Key Highlights:
- Class 10th and 12th Marks Dropped: There is now weightage for 10th and 12th marks in the final selection. This change is ideal for those candidates who are weak in school academics.
- CAT Score Weightage Reduced: Earlier CAT carried 70% weightage, now it’s only 35% in the final stage (but remains high for initial shortlisting).
- Behavioral Assessment Test: MDI has added this component so as to evaluate candidates on their behavioral traits.
- Three Rounds—WAT, GD & PI: Unlike most B-schools that conduct either GD-PI or WAT-PI, MDI Gurgaon will now conduct all three rounds, making the process more holistic.
- Special Weightage for Sports: If any student has represented your state or country in sports, they can gain additional weightage which is a unique advantage and rarely seen in B-school selection process.
Why MDI Gurgaon Should Be on Your Target List
Following are the major reasons you should consider MDI Gurgaon for pursuing your management career.
- Top Business School: MDI Gurgaon is consistently ranked in the top 10-12 business schools in India and considered as one of the top tier B-schools across the country offering PGDM programs with strong placements and global learning experience.
- Placements Statistics: MDI Gurgaon is popular for its impressive placements among aspirants. The popular sectors are Consulting, BFSI, FMCG, IT, and E-Commerce.
- Global Exposure: MDI Gurgaon gives global exposure to its students especially through its PGDM-IB (International Business) program, which allows students to spend two semesters abroad and gain international learning exposure.
- Location Advantage: Being situated in Gurgaon, India’s corporate hub ensures excellent industry interactions and exposure.
Final Thoughts
The changes made in MDI Gurgaon selection criteria is a big relief for students who are worried about their past academic scores. Aspirants now have an equal competition with more emphasis on CAT scores, GD, PI, and WAT, securing a seat at MDI Gurgaon purely on the basis of student’s current performance and personality. Just make sure to fill the application form before 28th November 2025 and prepare well for each of the three rounds (WAT, GD, PI) to maximize your chances of getting into MDI Gurgaon.
