Which MBA Specialisation is in Demand/Trending in India?

Last updated on: 22^nd July, 2025   |  Marketing Musings   |  Nitin Verma, GM - Admissions & Marketing << back to blog

Published on: 9^th June, 2025

Pursuing an MBA today is not just a degree it more than that — it's about choosing a path that aligns with your career goals and industry trends. As the job market continues to rapidly evolve, so does the demand for specialised MBA programs that equip professionals with relevant and future-ready skills.

One of the reasons for the increasing popularity of this postgraduate program is the growing number of specialisations that are available in multiple areas. While classic areas like finance, marketing, human resources, and information technology continue to attract students, options like Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Sustainability Management, etc., are also gaining traction. If you’re wondering which MBA specialisation is the best for you, this guide is here to help.

Let’s learn how you can build a rewarding career!

Why MBA Specialisations Matter

MBA specialisations often allow students to focus their studies on a specific area of business. This eventually gives them a competitive edge in the present job market. For example, a student who graduates with an MBA in business analytics will have the skills and knowledge that are in high demand by MNCs and Fortune 500 companies.

Top MBA Specialisations in Demand (2025)

1. Business Analytics and Data Science

With companies across industries relying on big data to drive decisions, MBA specialisations in business analytics and data science have become increasingly relevant.

Why in demand: India’s data analytics industry is expected to reach $16 billion by 2025 (NASSCOM), creating a massive demand for managers who can bridge data insights with strategic decisions.

Career path: STEM-based roles, tech professionals, and analysts aiming to move into leadership roles.

2. Digital Marketing and Marketing Analytics

Digital-first consumer behavior has pushed companies to rethink their marketing approach.

Why in demand: With digital ad spending in India projected to cross ₹ 50,000 crore in 2025 (GroupM report), professionals with skills in SEO, SEM, social media, and content marketing are being actively recruited.

Career paths: Omnichannel Marketing, Marketing Analytics, and MarTech companies.

3. Finance and FinTech

While traditional finance remains a staple specialisation, newer subdomains like FinTech and financial analytics are gaining traction.

Why in demand: India's FinTech market is one of the fastest-growing globally, expected to reach $150 billion by 2025.

Career paths: Investment banking, risk management, corporate finance, and FinTech startups.

4. Supply Chain Management and Operations

Post-pandemic, supply chain resilience and optimisation have become critical to business continuity.

Why in demand: Globalisation and e-commerce expansion in India have led to increased hiring in logistics, procurement, and operations roles.

Career paths: Particularly strong in manufacturing, retail, and FMCG sectors.

5. Human Resource Management (HRM)

HRM is evolving beyond recruitment to include data-driven talent strategies, performance optimisation, and employee experience design.

Why in demand: The shift toward hybrid work and people-first policies has increased the need for strategic HR leaders.

Career paths: HR analytics, change management, L&D consulting.

Executive Pathways – For Experienced Professionals

While traditional MBA specialisations serve fresh graduates and early-career professionals, experienced managers often pursue executive pathways to transition into strategic and leadership roles.

The Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM by Great Lakes) is one such program for professionals with 2+ years of experience aiming to grow in their careers and take on leadership roles. This is a one-year, full-time program, ideal for those looking to fast-track their growth.

Why in demand? It helps you acquire advanced skills in digital strategy, business analytics, marketing, finance, and leadership to stay competitive in the long run.

Benefits of the PGPM Program

For professionals seeking high-growth roles, the PGPM program offers a valuable pathway to better-paid leadership positions. It provides you with several benefits which prove to be fruitful for your career, such as:

• Leadership Coaching

  The PGPM program provides personalised one-on-one leadership coaching for 360° leadership assessment and regular feedback. This dedicated mentorship helps you improve your strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership capabilities.

• Leadership Development Plan

  Participants will create a customised career development plan for leadership roles with the guidance of expert faculty and an industry mentor. This structured roadmap identifies strengths, bridges skill gaps, and accelerates career growth in management.

• Live Projects & Industry Immersion

  Rather than workplace consulting, the PGPM allows professionals to engage in real-world business problem-solving by working closely on practical challenges. This hands-on consulting approach through the program sharpens strategic thinking and decision-making in actual corporate environments.

• Experiential Learning Pedagogy

  The PGPM program follows a highly interactive and immersive learning approach through:

1. Simulations: Experience real-time business scenarios and strategic decision-making in a risk-free setup.
2. Mentored Projects: Work on live industry-relevant projects under expert supervision, applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges.
3. Case-Based Discussions: Analyse and debate real-world business cases, refining analytical skills and strategic thinking for leadership roles.

• Strong Foundation in General Management

  The program provides you with core business competencies and covers areas such as finance, marketing, operations, and strategy. This comprehensive foundation ensures that participants develop a well-rounded understanding of business functions.

• Early Entry into Decision-Making and Strategy

  PGPM empowers professionals to become key decision-makers by providing them with the skills and confidence to contribute to high-level strategy discussions within their organisations. This early exposure to corporate strategy and business planning accelerates career progression into leadership roles.

• Leveraging Technology for Decision-Making and Business Modelling

  The program emphasises the use of emerging technologies in business decision-making. Participants will learn how to integrate data analytics, AI-driven insights, and digital transformation strategies to make informed business decisions and create innovative business models that drive growth and efficiency.

• Global Business Perspectives and Growth Strategies

  Businesses are becoming increasingly interconnected in today’s world. Hence, PGPM helps participants gain a global perspective on business challenges and opportunities.

  The program explores international business strategies, market expansion tactics, and economic trends. This further allows you to identify critical growth factors for various businesses in a competitive global landscape.

PGPM 2.0 – A Future-Ready Management Program by Great Lakes

If you're aiming for roles in emerging sectors, tech-driven businesses, or want to future-proof your career with digital skills, PGPM 2.0 offers a distinct edge over our traditional PGPM format.

Unlike our traditional management course, PGPM 2.0 blends core business fundamentals with emerging domains like Digital Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, FinTech, and Sustainability.

The program offers flexible learning paths through a wide range of electives, allowing professionals to customise their education based on career goals in high-growth sectors.

Pursue PGPM at Great Lakes

Looking for a career-focused MBA program designed for working professionals? Great Lakes Institute of Management’s traditional PGPM or PGPM 2.0 programs are currently the most in-demand MBA programs that you can pursue for a successful career in 2025.

If you still have any doubts regarding which MBA specialisation is in demand in future or has better career prospects, explore our program offerings for a better understanding. Applications close on April 30, 2025—don’t miss your chance to apply!