Vacancies in 7 MBA Courses at DAVV, Indore; Now Offering Direct Admission
The Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, is facing a shortage of students in several MBA programmes. This year, around six lakh candidates appeared for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-PG) nationwide, but only about 1,600 applied for the MBA programmes at DAVV.
The university has decided to conduct department-level counselling (DLC) to address this shortfall. Dr Rajesh Sharma, the CUET coordinator at DAVV, announced that candidates who were not initially registered can now participate in the DLC process.
The university offers admissions to 1,450 seats across two dozen postgraduate courses through CUET-PG. However, by the end of two rounds, only 800 seats were filled. In the first round of counselling, only about 1,400 applications were received, followed by around 300 in the second round. Only 200 candidates registered for the third round, bringing the total applicants across all rounds to about 1,600.
Seven specific MBA courses at DAVV - MBA in E-Commerce, Tourism, Foreign Trade, Business Analytics, Computer Management, Entrepreneurship, and Media Management - have 15-20% of their seats vacant. This is the first time that DAVV has witnessed such low interest in its MBA programmes.
Experts suggest that the low turnout is due to a combination of factors including the eligibility and entrance requirements, fee structure, and competition from other institutes.
Eligibility and Entrance Requirements
DAVV MBA admission requires a graduation with a minimum 45–50% aggregate (slightly higher for general category) and entrance exams like CUET PG, CMAT, CAT, or others. This moderate eligibility may attract candidates with a wider range of academic backgrounds but also invites competition from top institutes with higher standards.
Fee Structure
The tuition fees range from approximately INR 30,800 to INR 3 lakh, with hostel fees between INR 1.2 lakh to 2.03 lakh. Fees vary significantly by specialization and affiliated colleges, potentially making the program less affordable or less competitive against government or private B-schools offering scholarships or better placements.
Diverse MBA Offerings and Specializations
Although DAVV offers 19 MBA specializations and integrated/distance options, this breadth might dilute brand perception if the quality across specializations varies or if course delivery (especially distance education) does not match traditional full-time expectations.
Competition and Placement Perception
DAVV is a state university with many competitors locally and nationally; lack of strong industry connect, placement statistics, or brand prestige compared to premier MBA institutes can lower student interest.
Implications
The low interest in MBA programmes may lead to smaller or less academically strong cohorts, reducing competitive learning environments. Lower student intake affects revenue, faculty recruitment, and infrastructural development. Persistent challenges could harm DAVV’s reputation as a management education provider.
Potential Solutions
To combat these challenges, DAVV could update its curriculum with industry-relevant skills, hands-on projects, and internships to enhance employability. Strengthening relationships with recruiters, organizing career fairs, and transparent placement records could boost student confidence. Introducing scholarship schemes, installment payment options, or subsidized fees for deserving candidates could make the program more affordable.
Promoting specialized MBA tracks and success stories through digital media and outreach programs could increase awareness. Leveraging distance and executive MBA programs tailored for working professionals could capture a niche market with flexible schedules and industry focus. Pursuing national or international accreditations could elevate program credibility.
These solutions aim to improve the quality of MBA programmes at DAVV, attract more students, and maintain the university's reputation as a provider of quality management education.
[1] DAVV MBA Fee Structure 2022-2023 [2] DAVV MBA Admission Eligibility 2022-2023 [3] DAVV MBA Specializations and Courses Offered [4] DAVV MBA Placement Statistics 2021-2022 [5] DAVV MBA Ranking and Reputation 2022-2023
- The university is exploring potential solutions to boost the enrollment in their MBA programs, such as updating the curriculum to align with industry-relevant skills, strengthening relationships with recruiters, and offering scholarship schemes to make the program more accessible.
- With the increasing trend of online education and self-development, the university is also considering leveraging distance and executive MBA programs tailored for working professionals to capture a niche market interested in flexible schedules and industry focus.
