December 30, 2025: The Great Lakes Institute of Management has announced that the Cycle 2 admissions deadline for its MBA/PGDM 2026 intake will be on 2 January 2026 for both the Chennai and Gurgaon campuses. This extension gives prospective candidates additional time to submit online applications along with valid test scores from exams such as CAT, XAT, GMAT or NMAT before the closing date. Great Lakes’ postgraduate management programmes include the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) typically for candidates with work experience and the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) for early-career aspirants. Admissions for these programmes are conducted on a rolling basis across multiple cycles, with Cycle 2 forming a crucial opportunity for those yet to apply.
Great Lakes MBA 2026 Admissions: Key Highlights
The extended deadline until 2 January 2026 allows candidates to complete and submit their applications without missing out on consideration for the 2026–28 academic session. Applicants must ensure that all required documents and valid entrance exam scores are provided to support their applications for PGDM/PGPM selection. Typically, Great Lakes MBA admissions especially under Cycle 2 consider candidates’ profiles holistically, assessing entrance test performance alongside academic records and, in some cases, work experience. Scores from tests such as CAT (2024/2025), XAT (2025/2026), GMAT (various valid years) and NMAT are accepted for the MBA/PGDM admissions process.
How to Apply Before the Deadline?
To apply for the Great Lakes MBA/PGDM 2026 intake before the 2 January 2026 deadline, candidates should:
- Visit the Great Lakes Institute of Management admissions portal.
- Select the MBA/PGDM programme of interest at either the Chennai or Gurgaon campus.
- Fill in personal and educational details, including valid test scores.
- Upload supporting documents such as transcripts, resume, and scorecards.
- Submit the online application before the deadline.
Meeting the application deadline ensures that candidates remain eligible for personal interviews and further selection stages as per the institute’s admissions process.
Next Steps After Application Submission
After submitting a complete application before 2 January 2026, candidates will typically be invited to participate in selection rounds, which may include interviews, essays or profile assessments depending on the programme and campus policies. Shortlisted candidates will then be considered for final admission offers. Prospective students are advised to regularly check the official Great Lakes Institute of Management website for updates, notifications and details regarding selection stages, interview schedules and final merit lists following the Cycle 2 deadline.
