Executive MBA
Executive Master of Business Administration
Executive MBA Syllabus 2026
The Executive Master of Business Administration (Executive MBA) syllabus covers a structured programme spanning 1 Year designed to build both foundational knowledge and specialised expertise. Below is the detailed semester-wise subject breakdown and programme structure.
Executive MBA Semester-wise Subjects
Executive MBA Syllabus & Subjects
The Executive MBA syllabus mirrors the regular 2-year MBA curriculum but is compressed into 1 year with more focus on strategy, leadership, and general management rather than functional specialisation. The pedagogy is heavily case-study based with significant emphasis on peer learning and real-world application.
Core Management Subjects
| Area | Core Courses | Focus for EMBA |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy | Strategic Management, Competitive Strategy, Corporate Strategy | Industry analysis, competitive positioning, M&A strategy, business model innovation |
| Finance | Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Managerial Economics | P&L ownership, valuation, capital structure, investment decisions |
| Marketing | Marketing Management, Digital Strategy, Consumer Behaviour | Brand strategy, GTM planning, data-driven marketing, pricing |
| Operations | Operations Management, Supply Chain Strategy, Process Optimisation | Lean operations, global supply chains, technology-enabled efficiency |
| People & Leadership | Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Leadership | Team dynamics, change management, executive coaching, negotiation |
| Analytics | Business Analytics, Decision Sciences, Data-Driven Management | AI/ML applications, dashboard building, statistical reasoning |
EMBA-Specific Modules
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| CEO Immersion / Leadership Lab | Sessions with CEOs, founders, and industry leaders. Live case studies from participating companies. Unique to EMBA — leverages cohort experience. |
| International Immersion | 2–4 week module at a partner B-school abroad (Wharton, Kellogg, INSEAD, LBS). Company visits, cross-cultural business exposure. |
| Design Thinking & Innovation | Stanford d.school-inspired modules on product innovation, customer-centric design, and intrapreneurship. |
| Digital Transformation | AI, blockchain, IoT strategy for business. Platform economics, digital disruption frameworks. Increasingly central to EMBA curricula. |
| Consulting Project / Capstone | Live consulting engagement with a real company. Teams of 4–5 work on strategic challenges. Presented to company leadership and faculty panel. |
Elective Options (varies by programme)
- Finance Electives: Private Equity & VC, Mergers & Acquisitions, Derivatives & Risk Management, Fintech
- Strategy Electives: Platform Strategy, Blue Ocean Strategy, Geopolitics & Business, Sustainability Strategy
- Technology Electives: AI for Business Leaders, Product Management, Tech Venture Creation, Cybersecurity Strategy
- Marketing Electives: Luxury Brand Management, B2B Marketing Strategy, Customer Analytics
- Entrepreneurship: Venture Creation Lab, Social Entrepreneurship, Family Business Management
Executive MBA Programme Structure & Credit Distribution
Executive MBA Term-wise Curriculum
The 1-year EMBA is divided into 3 terms (trimesters) + international immersion + capstone project. The first term covers core foundations, the second adds depth and electives, and the third focuses on strategy synthesis and capstone work.
Term 1 — Core Foundations (Months 1–4)
| Course | Credits | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting & Reporting | 3 | Reading financial statements, ratio analysis, IFRS/Ind AS |
| Managerial Economics | 3 | Demand-supply, market structures, pricing strategy |
| Marketing Management | 3 | STP, 4Ps, brand management, customer lifecycle |
| Organisational Behaviour | 3 | Team dynamics, motivation, organisational culture, leadership styles |
| Business Analytics / Decision Sciences | 3 | Statistical reasoning, regression, hypothesis testing, Excel/Python |
| Operations Management | 3 | Process design, quality, capacity planning, lean principles |
Term 2 — Depth & Specialisation (Months 5–8)
| Course | Credits | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Finance | 3 | Valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital, M&A |
| Strategic Management | 3 | Industry analysis, competitive advantage, diversification |
| Human Resource Management | 3 | Talent acquisition, compensation design, performance management |
| Digital Transformation & Innovation | 3 | AI/ML for business, platform economics, digital disruption |
| Elective 1 | 3 | Chosen from specialisation tracks (Finance, Strategy, Tech, etc.) |
| Elective 2 | 3 | Chosen from specialisation tracks |
Term 3 — Synthesis & Capstone (Months 9–12)
| Course | Credits | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Strategy & Governance | 3 | Board dynamics, stakeholder management, ESG, corporate governance |
| Negotiation & Conflict Resolution | 2 | Principled negotiation, deal-making, cross-cultural negotiation |
| Elective 3 & 4 | 6 | Advanced electives aligned with career goals |
| Capstone Consulting Project | 6 | Live consulting engagement with real company; team-based strategic problem-solving |
| International Immersion Module | 2 | 2–4 weeks at partner B-school abroad; company visits; cross-cultural exposure |
Assessment Methods
- Case Studies: 300–400 case analyses over the programme — Harvard cases, IIM cases, and India-specific live cases
- Group Projects: Team-based strategy simulations, marketing plans, financial models
- Individual Assignments: Policy memos, industry analyses, reflection papers
- Class Participation: Active contribution is graded — leveraging professional experience in discussions is expected and rewarded
- Capstone Presentation: Final evaluation of the live consulting project — presented to company leadership and faculty jury
Skills Developed in Executive MBA
Skills Required & Acquired in Executive MBA
Skills Required Before EMBA
Domain Expertise
4–8+ years of functional expertise in a specific domain — technology, finance, operations, marketing, or consulting. EMBA builds on this foundation; it doesn't replace it.
Leadership & Team Management
Experience managing teams, projects, or P&L. Ability to influence without authority, manage stakeholders, and drive results. EMBA programmes evaluate this during admission.
Quantitative Aptitude
GMAT preparation demands strong quantitative and verbal reasoning. The programme itself requires comfort with financial models, data analysis, and statistical thinking.
Communication & Presence
Ability to articulate ideas in group discussions, presentations, and written reports. EMBA cohorts are competitive — effective communication determines your peer learning contribution and interview success.
Skills Acquired During EMBA
Strategic Thinking
Frameworks for industry analysis (Porter's Five Forces, VRIO), competitive strategy, blue ocean thinking, and corporate diversification. The ability to zoom out from functional execution to enterprise-level decision-making.
Financial Acumen
P&L literacy, valuation methods (DCF, multiples), capital allocation decisions, M&A due diligence. Even non-finance professionals gain CFO-level financial fluency after EMBA.
Cross-Functional Management
Understanding all business functions — marketing, finance, operations, HR, technology — at a strategic level. EMBA creates general managers who can lead across functions.
Executive Leadership
Leading large teams, managing organisational change, boardroom communication, executive presence. Leadership labs and CEO interactions develop C-suite readiness.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Business analytics, AI/ML applications, dashboard design, A/B testing frameworks. Modern EMBA curricula embed analytics across all functional courses — not just in a standalone module.
Global Business Perspective
International immersion modules, cross-cultural negotiation, global supply chain dynamics. Understanding business across geographies, regulatory environments, and cultural contexts.