“I started to prepare for MBA entrance exams right after completing my 11th standard. With so much competition and considering myself as an average scorer, I thought that was the need. Now here I am, from Indore to Delhi, seeking admission in a decent B-school. I believe and have also heard how Delhi-NCR has emerged as the hub of educational institutes, and also everything seems just so convenient here, therefore being an ideal place for students. I hope I make it to a good management institute here,” says Kunal who recently appeared for CAT, IIFT and other management entrance exams. It is true that Delhi-NCR in the recent years have seen a great rise in the number of institutes. Let us go five years back in 2013, the number of students enrolled in public and private institutes across levels was nearly 2.1 lakh which have now risen to nearly 2.7 lakh in the year 2017-18.

Prior to 2000, Bangalore and Pune grew up as IT hubs; the growth of IT companies, conducive business environment, business friendly government policies among others led these to become the emerging destinations of excellence in IT. With a number of flourishing businesses, private colleges saw great prospects and set out to make their presence felt among the growing number of youth individuals. is no longer the natural or the top choice of IT entrepreneurs. They are ready to look elsewhere to start their IT start ups and much to their glee, are finding a number of alternatives in various parts of the country. Gradually, the growth has also been witnessed in the NCR region and in the recent times in Delhi also; owing to the benevolent policies, low-cost availability of land as compare to Delhi and other areas, rise in the businesses and educational institutes was bound to happen. Gurugram, Noida and Greater Noida are seeing a significant escalation of many institutes and universities and now are enticing lakhs of students from across fields. The advantage that Bangalore and Pune has enjoyed in terms of educational and entrepreneurial institutions, be it in engineering or MBA, Delhi-NCR can soon be expected to be at a similar position with shifts that have taken place in the recent years. The private players are seizing this opportunity and catering to the growing demand.

The Rise of the MBA

It’s a well known fact how MBA degree got its share of popularity. Post-liberalisation, MBA became a very popular and one of the most sought-after careers in India as the demand for management graduates shot up. The three-letter acronym spelled money as well as status. At that time the demand was such that even those who managed to get into B- or C-grade business schools could rest assured that they have made it in life.

Initially, the best B-schools in Delhi-NCR namely FMS of Delhi University, IIFT, MDI among others were the ones catering to the demand. As and when the capital saw the entry of numerous finance companies, growth in real estate and other businesses after 1991 and in the next few years, it was a welcoming call for anyone wanting to set up a B-school. The opportunity was a great one as the demand was soaring high for MBA degree holders.

With the advent of the subprime crisis in the USA, the industry and faced a setback affecting the Indian economy too which decreased the student flow. This forced the sub-standard B-schools to shut, but the quality institutes survived.

Ritika, an MBA student from one of the reputed B-school in Delhi tells, “The B-schools in Delhi-NCR not only ensures quality education, ideal placements and good exposure but the location is such that one does not feel away from home. Be it anywhere, nothing is too far and therefore allows you to balance academics, leisure and other things easily. This is just the kind of student life I wanted to live.”