School Expert Q&A: T. A. Pai Management Institute

Get answers to your questions about graduate management education from admissions professionals across the globe.

Professor Madhu Veeraraghavan is the Director and T.A. Pai Chair Professor of Finance at TAPMI, Manipal. He joined TAPMI in June 2013 and took over as the Director in April 2017. Prior to joining TAPMI, Professor Veeraraghavan was a Professor of Finance (with tenure) and Head of Finance Department at Monash University, Melbourne. He has also held teaching and research position at The University of Auckland Business School, Auckland, New Zealand. Professor Veeraraghavan has published over 50 papers in international journals and has presented his work in top conferences in finance and accounting. 

• Name of the school? T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI).
• School location? Manipal, Karnataka, India.
• Year school started? In the year 1984.
• Any global ranking? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/rankings-and-accreditations/
• Name of the program? TAPMI offers three programs viz., Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM-General), Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Banking and Financial Services (PGDM-BKFS) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Human Resources (PGDM-HR).

Admission Criteria

• GMAT^™ score: Yes 
• Work Experience requirement: TAPMI follows Profile-based shortlisting. Profile considered for shortlisting consists of valid GMAT scores and other entrance tests (full details on school website), academic profile (10th, 12th, Graduation, backlogs during graduation etc.), work experience (type of company, total experience, etc.), extra-curricular achievements if any and the MBA Intent Question/ Statement of Purpose. In case of people with less than 12 months experience, we consider all the above factors other than work experience.
• Interview/Group Discussion: The stage II of TAPMI Admissions process consists of Written Ability Test (WAT) followed by a Group Discussion (GD) followed by Personal Interview (PI).
  • Written Ability Test (WAT): TAPMI conducts WAT to evaluate written capabilities of prospective students. WAT aims to evaluate Articulation and Technical (Grammar and Spellings) of the applicant.
  • Group Discussions (GD): Group Discussions aims to evaluate ability of the applicant to interact within a group. GD aims at evaluating applicant’s skills in the area of Leadership, Problem Solving, Solution Orientation, Persuasion and Communication. Topics for GD will be based on current affairs/ issues debated in last five years.
  • Personal Interview (PI): TAPMI’s objective for conducting personal interview is to understand the applicant’s attitude towards management education. To ensure the same TAPMI will be conducting Behavioural Personal Interview. TAPMI will evaluate applicant’s ability in terms of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Leadership and Communication.
• Others: Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/admission-process/

What is the Application Process?

• How does one apply for the programme? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/admission-process/
• What is the Application fee?
  • One program – INR 1500 + 18% GST
  • Two programs – INR 2500 + 18% GST
  • Three programs – INR 3500 + 18% GST
• Where do I get a copy of the Application form? Applicants can apply only through online mode from TAPMI web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/admission-process/
• When does the application process start? From November. 
• What is the last date to apply? January.

What is the Admission Process?

• What is the range of GMAT scores for accepted students?

• Is there a requirement of 16 years of study prior to applying? A Graduate Degree with not less than 50% marks (final year students may also apply).
• What constitutes work experience? TAPMI follows Profile-based shortlisting. Profile considered for shortlisting consists of valid GMAT scores and other entrance tests (full details on school website), academic profile (10th, 12th, Graduation, backlogs during graduation etc.), work experience (type of company, total experience, etc.), extra-curricular achievements if any and the MBA Intent Question/ Statement of Purpose. In case of people with less than 12 months experience, we consider all the above factors other than work experience.
• Is there a minimum cut off for TOEFL/IELTS/PTE test scores? We don’t consider above test scores.
• When should I expect an invitation for an interview? February.
• Who should I contact if I have a question regarding my application status?
  • Tel: 0820 270 1010
  • 0820 270 1080
  • Mob: +919482701000
  • Write us: admissions@tapmi.edu.in

Fees & other expenses

• What is the estimated cost for the entire program for a foreign student? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/fee-details/
• What is the cost of living for the duration of the programme? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/fee-details/
• Are there other costs to be taken into consideration? If yes what? No
• Are there any job opportunities on campus that can be pursued while the programme is on, to lower the overall cost impact? No

What is the financial support option available to students?

• What are the scholarship options available for the students? TAPMI appreciates and values merit and awards scholarship to meritorious students. TAPMI has instituted two scholarships benefiting 20 students with an amount of INR 2 crore.
• What are the options of availing a loan? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/fee-details/
• What is the amount of loan that a student is eligible for and what are the documents required? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/fee-details/
• At what rate of interest is the loan available? What is the date from which loan repayment begins? What is the maximum period in which a loan is to be repaid? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/fee-details/
• Does the Institute/School help in getting loan? TAPMI has associated with a number of banks to ensure quick financial assistance for students interested in availing educational loans. Few other education loan providers empanelled with TAPMI include Avanse and Oriental Bank of Commerce. The interest rates and other details are subject to change as per the discretion of the banks. Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/admissions/fee-details/

Curriculum/Faculty/Student Exchange/Hostel accommodation facilities of the school

• How many intakes in a year and when? One.
• Size of the intake?

• What is the % of foreign students in an average class/intake? We have 15 seats approved.
• What are the specializations available? Specialisations offered under PGDM course include: Marketing, Operations, Human Resource, Finance, IT and General Management.
• What % of the batch finds jobs within 3 months of graduation? 100% placement till now. Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/recruit-talent/recruiters-placements/
• What is the mean starting salary of a class after graduation? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/recruit-talent/recruiters-placements/
• What are the key sectors represented in recruiters for this programme? Please see our web site: https://www.tapmi.edu.in/recruit-talent/top-recruiter