CAT CAT or Not? RiseUpp Shows How to Get into IIM Online MBA Programs Without Taking the CAT

 

India’s Most Trusted Platform for Online Degrees, Certificates, and Upskilling Courses — RiseUpp.com Launches the Definitive Guide to CAT-Free IIM MBA Admissions, Making the IIM Dream More Accessible Than Ever

 

Bangalore, August 2025 — For decades, the Common Admission Test (CAT) has been seen as the only way to enter India’s premier management institutes. But in 2025, that landscape is changing.
RiseUpp, India’s leading online course comparison platform, has released a detailed blog that highlights how many Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are now offering online and executive MBA programs that do not require CAT. The guide helps working professionals and mid-career aspirants explore these alternative admission routes in a structured, easy-to-understand format.

 

Read the full guide on IIM Online MBA Programs Without CAT

A Smarter Route to the IIM Dream

 

While CAT continues to be the standard for traditional full-time MBA admissions, IIMs such as Kozhikode, Indore, Visakhapatnam, Raipur, and Jammu have introduced flexible, high-quality MBA formats for professionals that bypass CAT entirely. These programs evaluate applicants through work experience, Statement of Purpose (SOP), personal interviews, or internal assessments like the EMAT (Executive Management Aptitude Test).

“Many professionals rule out IIMs because they haven’t attempted CAT,” said Hari Rastogi, Co-Founder and CEO at RiseUpp. “We created this guide to dispel that myth and highlight high-quality MBA options from top IIMs that are accessible to working professionals.”

 

What the Guide Covers

RiseUpp’s guide serves as a practical roadmap for aspirants and includes:

  • A complete list of IIMs offering online and executive MBA programs without CAT
  • Detailed breakdowns of EMAT and other internal assessments
  • Guidelines on SOP writing and interview evaluations
  • Eligibility criteria based on professional experience and academic background
  • Comparative insights on fees, duration, and ROI
  • Differences between online, hybrid, and executive MBA formats

 

Addressing a Major Information Gap

More than 250,000 students register for CAT each year, but a growing segment of career-driven professionals chooses not to appear for the exam due to time constraints, job priorities, or other responsibilities. According to RiseUpp’s recent user data, nearly 70% of MBA inquiries on the platform are from users looking for CAT-free alternatives to IIM programs.

The lack of clarity around these options often leads to missed opportunities. RiseUpp’s guide addresses this issue by offering transparent, up-to-date information backed by real admission trends and official program data.

 

Real Stories, Real Outcomes

"If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be studying at IIM Indore, I might not have believed them. But here I am, starting my Executive Management Programme – Master in Management Studies. Every challenge and every effort was worth it. Special thanks to the RiseUpp team for guiding me throughout this journey."
Joseph John, IIM Indore – Executive Management Programme

 

Read Full Story Here: IIM Online MBA Programs Without CAT

 

Testimonials like Joseph’s highlight the tangible impact of accessible IIM pathways for professionals across India. They reinforce how the right guidance and awareness — through platforms like RiseUpp — can transform career aspirations into reality.

 

Why This Matters

This guide is not only valuable for students but also for:

  • Career counsellors and education consultants seeking credible resources
  • University partners and affiliate blogs looking for authoritative content to reference
  • Media outlets and EdTech writers covering trends in online learning and executive education
  • Student forums and communities in need of accurate comparison tools

RiseUpp’s mission is to bridge the information gap and make top-quality education more accessible — especially in the rapidly growing online degree ecosystem.

 

About RiseUpp

RiseUpp.com is India’s #1 AI-powered marketplace for online degrees, certificates, and upskilling programs. Founded by IIT-IIM alumni, the platform has empowered over 50,000 learners to choose the right course with confidence through personalized counseling, transparent comparison tools, and verified student reviews.

 

Recognized as the Best EdTech Startup of the Year 2023 and backed by Microsoft for Startups, Google for Startups, and NVIDIA Inception, RiseUpp features 12,500+ verified programs from 500+ top universities, corporates, and EdTechs — including IIMs, IITs, VIT University, University of London, Microsoft, Google, Coursera, and more.

 

RiseUpp is redefining how India discovers and enrolls in quality online education across management, technology, commerce, and beyond.

 

๐ŸŒ Website: www.riseupp.com
๐Ÿ“ž Contact: +91 63630 79209