IIM Calcutta opens Round 2 for one-year MBAEx; apply by December 1

By TUF News Desk · Published 19 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Working professionals who missed the first round still have a route into IIM Calcutta. The institute opened Round 2 applications for the 21st batch of its one-year, full-time residential MBAEx programme on October 13, and the window stays open till December 1, 2026.

MBAEx stands for the Post Graduate Programme for Executives. It is built for mid-career professionals who want a full MBA in one year, living on the Joka campus, rather than stretching a part-time course over two.

Key dates to note

Round 1 of this admission cycle closed on October 12, with interviews scheduled for October 31 and November 1. Round 2 runs from October 13 to December 1, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on December 19 and 20, and the final results will be announced on January 11, 2027.

One rule is strict: a candidate can apply only once in the academic year. If you applied in Round 1, you cannot apply again in Round 2.

Who can apply

The bar is set for experienced managers. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, with the degree programme lasting at least three years. The institute asks for a minimum of five years of full-time work experience after graduation.

A valid GMAT score is mandatory, and here the rules are specific. Only test-centre scores are accepted; online GMAT scores do not count for this batch. The institute asks candidates to send the official score to IIM Calcutta through Pearson VUE before the deadline.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online through the official MBAEx application portal. The application fee is Rs 5,000 for Indian nationals and USD 100 for NRI and foreign applicants. The full admission schedule is published on IIM Calcutta’s website.

The institute advises applicants to start early because the form needs references, transcripts and a statement of purpose. Once submitted, the application cannot be edited, so preview every page before hitting submit. Keep your mark sheets, work-experience letters and scorecards ready; our admission documents checklist covers the paperwork most institutes ask for.

What comes after the form

Shortlisted candidates go through a Written Ability Test and a personal interview in December. Interviews are held in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and the NCR, with an online option for overseas candidates only. Final offers are decided on the overall profile, and classes for the batch begin in 2027.

Executives comparing formats can also look at IIM Kozhikode’s two-year Global MBA with Accenture LearnVantage, which is aimed at working professionals who want to keep their jobs while studying.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for IIM Calcutta MBAEx Round 2?

December 1, 2026. The Round 2 application window runs from October 13 to December 1, 2026, for the 21st batch (2027-28).

Who is eligible for the IIM Calcutta MBAEx programme?

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree of at least three years’ duration, a minimum of five years of full-time work experience after graduation, and a valid test-centre GMAT score.

When are the MBAEx Round 2 interviews and results?

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are on December 19 and 20, 2026, in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and the NCR, with an online option for overseas candidates. Results will be announced on January 11, 2027.

Is the online GMAT accepted for MBAEx?

No. IIM Calcutta has stated that online GMAT scores will not be accepted for the 21st batch (2027-28); only scores from test-centre GMAT exams count.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: IIM Calcutta official admissions page, Collegedunia, The Higher Education Review