Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi

Here’s the latest available information on Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi – Courses & Fee Structure:

Courses Offered

1. Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

RBS offers a two-year PGDM program structured across six trimesters, covering multiple specializations including areas like Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Business Analytics, and International Business. This program is recognized as equivalent to an MBA by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Admission Requirements:

• A minimum aggregate of 50% in an undergraduate degree.

• Valid scores in entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAT, or KMAT.

2. Fellow Programme in Management (FPM)

A doctoral-level research program aimed at nurturing high-quality academicians and researchers.

Highlights:

• Candidates typically complete it over 5 years.

• Eligible candidates receive financial assistance in the form of a fellowship (₹40,000 per month until registration, then ₹50,000 per month post-registration), plus additional grants for research, travel, and participation in conferences.

• Sponsored candidates must pay fees: ₹50,000 tuition and course fee, plus ₹40,000 annual registration and ₹25,000 thesis examination fee.

Fee Structure Overview

PGDM Fees

The official RBS website directs to the PGDM fee structure, but specific numbers are not publicly listed. However, third-party sources indicate an estimated total PGDM fee of approximately ₹7 lakh. Please treat this figure as a rough estimate until verified.

FPM Fees

• Sponsored candidates:

  • Tuition & course fee: ₹50,000 (total)

  • Annual registration: ₹40,000

  • Thesis examination fee: ₹25,000, which includes examiner honoraria.

• Fellowship for full-time scholars (non-sponsored):

  • ₹40,000/month pre-registration

  • ₹50,000/month post-registration

  • Contingency and conference grants, plus support for Visiting Scholar Program abroad.

Summary Table

Here’s a comprehensive and polished overview of the Admission Process at Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi, including for both the PGDM and FPM programs:

PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) Admission Process

1. Eligibility & Entrance Exams

• Applicants must hold a three-year undergraduate degree (minimum 50% marks) from a recognized university.

• Accepted entrance exams and minimum cutoffs:

  • CAT: 50 percentile

  • CMAT: 30 percentile (2025)

  • MAT: Composite score of 500

  • KMAT (Kerala): Score of 108

  • XAT: Score of 15

2. Application Submission

• Apply online via the official RBS portal or collect the application form from the admission help desk.

• Application fee: ₹1,000 (payable online via net banking, credit/debit cards, or in person via a demand draft).

• Upload a passport-sized photograph as per specifications: JPEG format, 125×125 pixels, white background, ≤500 KB.

3. Selection Procedure

• Shortlisted candidates are called for the Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), and Written Skills Test (WST) — collectively referred to as GD‑PI‑WST.

• Selection is based on a holistic evaluation including entrance score, GD‑PI‑WST performance, academic record, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

• GD‑PI‑WST rounds are conducted in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Considers CAT, MAT (Dec 2024 / Feb 2025) scores.

  • Phase 2: Considers CMAT‑Jan 2025, KMAT‑2025, and XAT‑2025 scores.

• Candidates who miss Phase 1 can attend in Phase 2, but each candidate may participate only once per admission year.

4. Final Admission Steps

• Offer of admission is based on composite merit, combining entrance score, GD‑PI‑WST performance, and additional credentials.

• Admit cards and selection status are communicated via email and SMS.

• Document verification happens on the same day as the GD‑PI‑WST; applicants must bring original and photocopies of academic and relevant documents.

5. Fee Waivers & Scholarships

• AICTE Tuition Fee Waiver (TFW) Scheme:

  • For students with parental income ≤ ₹8 lakh/year; covers 100% tuition fee. Other fees apply.

  • Seats allocated: 5% of intake, supernumerary.

• Scholarship Programs (RiSE):

  • Diversity Scholarship: For non‑Kerala students (25–50% tuition waiver; 21 seats).

  • Career & Talent Scholarship: Based on CAT performance (80+ percentile = 25–50% waiver; ≥95 percentile = 75% waiver plus extras).

FPM (Fellow Programme in Management) Admission Process

1. Eligibility Criteria

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant fields from a recognized university.

• Minimum academic performance: 60% marks or CGPA ≥ 6.5/10.

• Applicants must be aged 55 or younger as of December 1, 2024.

• Final-year master’s students may apply provisionally, provided they complete degree requirements by September 30, 2024, with final mark sheets submitted by December 31, 2024.

2. Application & Selection

• Apply via the official RBS site.

• Entrance Test: Required unless candidate holds a UGC/CSIR JRF; otherwise, candidate qualifies for direct interview.

• Selection includes performance in the RRAT (if applicable) and Interview, with final offer after document verification and admission fee payment.

3. Important Dates

• Last date to apply: 14 October 2024

• RRAT: 16 October 2024

• Interview dates: Following RRAT result

Summary Table

Here’s a detailed overview of the accreditation status of Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi, underscoring its national and global recognition:

International Accreditations

• AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
  RBS is accredited by AACSB, marking it as one of the few Indian B‑schools to meet this rigorous standard of quality in teaching, research, curriculum, and societal impact. It became the 21st B‑school in India to achieve AACSB accreditation.

• EFMD Accreditation (European Foundation for Management Development)
  The PGDM program at RBS holds EFMD accreditation. It is notable as only the third PGDM program in India to earn this recognition.

• ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs)
  The PGDM (along with MBA and MHRM programs) is accredited by ACBSP, an international body emphasizing excellence in teaching and continuous improvement in business education.

National Accreditations & Approvals

• NBA (National Board of Accreditation)
  RBS’s PGDM program is accredited by NBA, valid through June 30, 2025.

• AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education)
  The PGDM program has AICTE approval, ensuring compliance with technical education standards in India.

• AIU (Association of Indian Universities)
  The PGDM offered by RBS is officially recognized as equivalent to an MBA degree by the AIU.

Other Institutional Accreditations Under Rajagiri Umbrella

Though separate from RBS itself, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (RCSS)—another part of the Rajagiri group—has earned an A++ grade from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) with a high CGPA of 3.83/4 in 2021.

Accreditation Summary Table

What This Means

• Global Credibility: With both AACSB and EFMD accreditations, RBS stands on par with leading international business schools.

• Emphasis on Quality in Teaching: ACBSP recognition and AICTE/NBA approvals reflect adherence to high academic standards and program effectiveness.

• Academic Equivalence: AIU’s recognition ensures that RBS’s PGDM is deemed on par with MBA degrees from traditional universities.

• Strong Institutional Culture: The A++ NAAC accreditation of its sibling institution, RCSS, highlights Rajagiri’s robust culture of academic excellence across the board.

Here’s a comprehensive look at the placement and recruitment landscape at Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi:

Placement Overview

Key Statistics

• Average Package: ₹4.8 LPA

• Highest Package: ₹16.05 LPA

• Median packages around ₹6 LPA reported in some batches

Top Recruiters

Prominent companies that have recruited from RBS include:

• Amazon

• Aditya Birla Group

• Airtel

• Asian Paints

• Deloitte

• Goldman Sachs

• HDFC Bank

• KPMG

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

• ICICI Prudential

• Federal Bank

• South Indian Bank

• Kotak Life Insurance

• Skoruz Technologies

• Dorset

• Tokyo Freight Services

• Ignitho Technologies

RBS typically attracts over 100 recruiters annually, with a steady addition of 30–50% new recruiters each year.

Placement Support Infrastructure

• The Office of Corporate Relations (OCR) houses the Placement Cell, led by the Director and Assistant Director and supported by a student committee.

• This team orchestrates:

  • Final and summer placements

  • Career counselling

  • Pre-placement training

  • Industry engagements and positioning strategies

• Employs the Rajagiri Immersive Learning Experience (RILE)—a pedagogical approach emphasizing conceptual clarity, decision-making, teamwork, social sensitivity, and communication—to ensure students are career-ready.

Summary Snapshot

Final Thoughts

RBS demonstrates strong placement performance, with reputable recruiters and dedicated institutional support. At the same time, students should approach claims with critical perspective—especially in light of current macroeconomic and employment trends.

Here’s a detailed snapshot of Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi current rankings and recognitions:

NIRF Rankings (by Ministry of Education)

• 2024: Ranked 93rd in the Management category across India

• 2023: Secured the 83rd position

• 2022: Ranked 74th

• Year-over-year, RBS shows relative stability within the top 100, though it dipped in 2024.

Other Notable Rankings

From Rajagiri Centre for Business Studies (RCBS)—part of the same institution umbrella—the following rankings have been reported:

• India Today (MBA):

  • 2024: Ranked #43 out of 275

  • 2023: Ranked #40 out of 272

• The Week (MBA) (note: older data):

  • 2024: #54 out of 235

  • 2023: #39

• Outlook (MBA):

  • 2025: Ranked #27 out of 200

• IIRF (MBA):

  • 2025: Ranked #16 out of 122

(These rankings pertain to RCBS but still reflect the broader reputation of management education under the Rajagiri umbrella.)

Summary Table

Insights & Considerations

• Steady NIRF performance: Remaining within the top 100 indicates consistent national recognition.

• Stronger performance in other rankings: The higher positions in Outlook and IIRF suggest strong perception and positioning in graduate-level surveys.

• Broader RCBS brand strength: RBS benefits from the overarching reputation of Rajagiri’s management education, as seen with RCBS accolades.

Here’s a visual glimpse into the Rajagiri Business School (RBS), Kochi campus, showcasing its modern classrooms, lush surroundings, communal hubs, and sports facilities.

Campus Facilities at RBS Kochi

Academic & Learning Spaces

• Classrooms: Spacious, theatre-style rooms outfitted with smartboards, LCD projectors, and modern AV tools for interactive learning. Additionally, creative open-air Alfresco classrooms like Bella Vista and River View foster dynamic discussions and pedagogy.

• Library: Well-stocked with books, national and international journals, periodicals, research papers, and online databases — providing abundant resources for students and faculty.

• IT Centre: High-end computer labs with the latest hardware, software, and seamless Wi-Fi across campus — supporting both academic and personal use.

• Group Learning Centres & Conference Halls: Dedicated spaces for team-based learning, presentations, and events. Facilities include Chavara Hall (1,300 seats), a 300-seat auditorium, 200-seat conference hall, and boardrooms for meetings.

Residential & Wellness Facilities

• Hostels: Separate for boys and girls, with well-furnished rooms, mess facilities, television, study halls, and 24/7 internet access.

• Sports & Fitness: A comprehensive range of physical activity options — including indoor and outdoor gyms, cricket/football grounds, volleyball, basketball, badminton courts, jogging track, and indoor games like table tennis, chess, and carroms.

• Medical Centre: On-campus facility to address basic healthcare needs of students and staff.

Common Areas & Recreational Amenities

• Canteen & Cafeteria: Three eateries run by professional restaurateurs, serving both veg and non-veg options. Equipped with snack bars, coffee machines, telephones, TV, activity rooms, reprographic centers, and stationery shops — these are informal social hubs for students.

• Amphitheatre & Gardens: A relaxing outdoor theatre located adjacent to scenic green spaces and the Chithrapuzha Lake. The campus has repeatedly won the Best Institutional Garden award at the Kochi Flower Show, highlighting its beautiful environment.

Accessibility & Additional Infrastructure

• Inclusive Design: Buildings are equipped with facilities such as lifts, ramps, and accessible toilets to accommodate differently-abled individuals.

• Campus Setting: Set within a broader educational enclave near the tranquil Chithrapuzha Lake, the campus also includes two hostel blocks and even a farm, offering a blend of academia and natural serenity.

Quick Facility Snapshot

Final Thoughts

RBS Kochi offers comprehensive infrastructure that supports not only rigorous academic engagement but also student well-being, recreation, and inclusivity. From immersive learning environments to a campus that balances nature with necessity — RBS reflects a holistic approach to education.