PGPM Admissions Process

Admission Process

What B Schools look for in MBA Candidates?

Academic Abilities

Leadership Potential

Integrity and Ethical Values

Diversity of Experience

Application Guidelines

Essay

Evaluation Process

At Great Lakes, we seek students from diverse backgrounds with demonstrated track record of real world performance and ability to lead as we aim to build a community of empathetic business leaders. As a school we continue to innovate business education to add value, not only to our candidates but also to our corporate stakeholders and society as a whole. This is reflected both in our selection process and our pedagogy. The admission process is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the candidates on multiple dimensions encompassing personal and professional track record, academic performance, management aptitude and demonstrated competencies.

Eligibility

For PGPM admission process 2026-27, Great Lakes Institute of Management will accept scores of GMAT taken after 1^st January 2023, CAT taken in 2024/2025, or XAT taken in 2025/2026 or NMAT scores from 2024 onwards.
A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized institution
Candidates with 2+ years of work experience are considered.
Candidates with 2-3 years of work experience by 30^th April 2026 are encouraged to apply for the One Year Flagship PGPM. They are also eligible to apply for the Two year PGDM.
In case an eligible candidate would like to apply for both the programs, they may do so by filling the application forms for both PGPM and PGDM separately. Candidates will be evaluated based on the respective program’s admission criteria. The admissions panel may also recommend the candidates for a specific program based on the assessment and program fit.
Freshers and candidates with experience lesser than 36 months strictly may apply to the Great Lakes PGDM Program

*Great Lakes uses CAT scores only for screening applications for admissions and IIMs have no role in the conduct of Great Lakes academic programs.

+Great Lakes is not an associate institute of XLRI and uses XAT scores only for screening applicants for admission. XLRI has no role to play in the conduct of any of Great Lakes programs.

^xAll editions of GMAT - Classic, Focus and Online will be accepted.

#Great Lakes uses NMAT scores only for screening applications for admissions and NMIMS has no role in the conduct of Great Lakes academic programs.

Admissions to Great Lakes programs are carried out only through the online application available on www.greatlakes.edu.in. Great Lakes Institute of Management has not authorized any third party to initiate applications on its behalf.

Great Lakes Institute of Management does not admit students under Management Quota or any other form of reservation. Any third party organization or individual offering management quota seats for Great Lakes programs would be fraudulent and applicants are requested not to approach such organizations or individuals.

Key Dates

Mr. Gautam Lakhamraju, COO & Admissions Director talks with Unacademy about what MBA colleges like us look for in MBA candidates and also shares tips on approaching and preparing for admissions.

What we look for?

Standardized test scores (GMAT, CAT, XAT or NMAT), School, College and University scores

Proven leadership capacity at Work, College or School level

Virtues that form the foundation for any leader

How can you contribute to the Great Lakes community during and after the program

Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can apply to Great Lakes Institute of Management by completing an online form
Candidates can choose to apply by any of the following methods:
Visit the website www.greatlakes.edu.in and fill in the online application form after making a payment of INR 2,200. Candidates have the option of either applying to Great Lakes, Chennai and Great Lakes, Gurgaon campuses separately or for both the campuses through the common application form by selecting the appropriate option in the registration form
The eventual application process is online for all candidates
Candidates have to provide the official email-id of the recommender. The recommendation letter will be collected from the final selected students' recommenders and it must be submitted online

The application essay is an integral part of our PGPM admission process applications and help us understand you better; who you are, what motivates you, what are your career aspirations and how you will fit in to the Great Lakes community.

As a part of the application process we have mandatory 1 essay:

What are your personal qualities which you think make you suitable to be a part of the Class of 2026-27?

This essay delves into what you would bring to the class as an individual. The PGPM Program at Great Lakes receives large number of applications from promising candidates every year and while selecting the candidates, it is important for us to understand how you will add value to the class and enrich the experience of your peers. You can utilize this essay to highlight qualities about you that have not been captured in the form, quantify them with real examples from your professional, academic and personal life and make your case to prove that you are a right fit candidate for the program.

Eligibility Criteria

GMAT 2023 | GMAT 2024 & GMAT 2025 (taken on or before 1^st December 2025)
All CAT 2024 takers
All XAT 2025 takers
All NMAT 2024 & NMAT 2025 takers
Candidates appearing for CAT 2025 | XAT 2026 or GMAT (taken on or before 31^st Jan, 2026) can also apply in Cycle 1 and submit their forms pending the availability of their scores. Selected candidates will be interviewed basis their profiles in Cycle 1. Learn more about Profile Based Early Interviews in Cycle 1.

Application Deadline

To be announced

AI proctored video interview

To be announced

Personal Interview (PI)

Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai

Applicants are evaluated based on GMAT/CAT/XAT/NMAT scores, past academic performance, work experience and performance in the 2 interview rounds. The selection process builds in a criterion that facilitates evaluating each applicant on:

a) Standardized Test Scores: To eliminate inconsistencies between colleges and universities at the Undergraduate level, Great Lakes considers GMAT, CAT, XAT or NMAT scores in the overall assessment

b) Academic Abilities: The program at Great Lakes is highly demanding and intense; candidates are evaluated for consistent or impressive academic background across 10th, 12th and Undergraduation

c) Video Interview and Personal Interview: The AI-proctored video interview before the final PI will test a candidate for their thought process and communication skills. Shortlisted candidates from this round will go to the PI process which aims to determine the suitability of the candidate for the program and as a future management professional. Candidates are assessed on a number of parameters including general and business awareness, clarity of goals, attitude, people skills, communication skills, personal and extra-curricular/professional initiatives, etc.

d) Diversity: At Great Lakes, we encourage more women to enter management careers and award additional points for admissions to these candidates

The above conditions / clauses / terms can be reviewed by the Institute from time to time. Hence, the prospective candidate is encouraged to visit the Great Lakes website at www.greatlakes.edu.in/gurgaon for regular updates.