SOIL Institute of Management: Admission 2025, Fees, Courses, Cutoff, Ranking, and Placements

The SOIL Institute of Management, a top-ranked private B-school, positions itself as a vanguard of change in management education, guided by a core philosophy of building "Inspired Leaders with Character, Competence and Enthusiasm". Founded in 2008 in collaboration with a consortium of business leaders and academicians, SOIL is recognized for its unique, values-driven approach that fuses contemporary corporate needs with ethical leadership principles. Situated across two campuses in Gurugram and Manesar, the institute offers a range of postgraduate management programs designed for different career stages, including the one-year PGPM and PGPM-HR programs for experienced professionals and the two-year PGDM program for fresh graduates.

This report provides a data-driven, comprehensive analysis of the SOIL Institute of Management for the 2025 academic year, with a specific focus on admission criteria, fee structures, and placement outcomes. It is imperative to acknowledge that data from various sources can sometimes present slight variations. This report aims to reconcile these data points, using official information and verified reports where available, to provide the most transparent and reliable picture possible.

A snapshot of key data for the 2025 intake reveals the following:

• Admissions: SOIL employs a holistic, profile-based selection process that values a candidate's complete profile beyond a single exam score.The process includes an online application, a unique Design Thinking Workshop, and a personal interview with faculty and industry experts.
• Fees: The total fee for the flagship two-year PGDM program for the 2025-27 batch is approximately INR 16.20 Lakhs, while the one-year PGPM program is approximately INR 14.8 Lakhs.
• Placements: For the most recent reports, the highest package for the PGDM batch in 2024 was INR 27 LPA, with an average of INR 10.75 LPA. The PGPM batch of 2025 saw a highest package of INR 21.8 LPA and an average of INR 12.3 LPA.

Part 1: SOIL at a Glance – Unpacking the Brand and its Value Proposition

The Vision and Guiding Philosophy

SOIL was established with a singular vision to "Build Inspired Leaders with Character, Competence and Enthusiasm". The institute's curriculum is deliberately designed with this philosophy at its core, moving beyond traditional textbook learning to impart skills relevant to the modern business landscape. This is achieved through a pedagogy that is 30% experiential, incorporating over 400 hours of fieldwork, live projects, and a unique set of immersive learning modules.

Key experiential components of the curriculum include the Himalayan Retreat, a program designed for self-leadership, and a Social Outreach program where students work with NGOs to understand societal needs at a grass-roots level. These programs provide students with a platform to practice empathy and compassion, shifting their focus from mere profit maximization to creating sustainable organizations of consequence. This pedagogical focus on "unlearning" and social innovation demonstrates a strategic effort to produce graduates equipped with the mindset for ethical, responsible, and ESG-focused business, a quality increasingly sought after by modern corporations.

Campus, Infrastructure, and Life

The SOIL Institute of Management operates out of two campuses in Gurugram and Manesar, which are noted for their modern architecture and sustainable design. The campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including smart classrooms, seminar auditoriums, and specialized labs, such as an HR Lab and a Product Lab, to support its diverse academic programs. A digital library with over 10,000 books and a Wi-Fi-enabled campus facilitate a robust learning environment.

A notable point for prospective students is the absence of an on-campus hostel facility. Students are advised to seek accommodation in PGs or other hostels outside the campus. Student reviews indicate that while the core academic and faculty experience is highly regarded, the physical amenities and logistics, such as the quality and cost of canteen food and the limited availability of good PGs in the immediate area, can be a point of concern. This factor represents a key consideration for applicants balancing the quality of education with the overall campus life experience.

Rankings and Accreditations: A Competitive Positioning Analysis

SOIL Institute of Management has maintained a respectable position in various national rankings, reflecting its standing as a reputable private B-school. For the 2025 academic year, its rankings include:

• India Today: #56 out of 275 colleges in India
• Business Today: #62 in India
• IIRF: #57 out of 122 colleges in India
• Collegedunia: #86 out of 371 colleges in India

It is accredited by AICTE, a mandatory recognition for its PGDM program. The institute's global partnerships with institutions like Polimi Graduate School of Management and Royal Road University Canada further enhance its international recognition.

When analyzing the rankings, it is important to observe the trends. For instance, the IIRF ranking for SOIL showed a noticeable shift from #44 in 2024 to #57 in 2025. While such a change might appear significant, it should be evaluated in context. These shifts can be influenced by changes in the ranking body's evaluation methodology, heightened competition from other institutions, or a temporary dip in a specific performance metric. The fact that SOIL’s other rankings from sources like India Today and Business Today have remained relatively stable suggests that this change might not indicate a long-term decline but is a data point that prospective students should monitor in future reports.

Part 2: Academic Programs for the 2025-26 Intake

SOIL Institute of Management offers a portfolio of academic programs tailored to candidates at different career junctures. The distinction between its flagship PGDM and PGPM programs is a fundamental aspect of its academic strategy.

The PGPM vs. PGDM Dilemma: A Foundational Clarification

The institute's dual-program structure is designed to cater to two distinct market segments, providing a targeted educational path for each.

• PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management): This is a two-year program ideal for freshers and graduates with up to three years of work experience. The PGDM curriculum is designed to build a solid, foundational understanding of core business management subjects. Offered by the School of Business Design, this program is designed with a multidisciplinary approach that integrates design thinking and liberal arts to prepare graduates for practical, industry-driven roles.
• PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management): This is a one-year, accelerated certification program intended for professionals with two or more years of work experience. The PGPM curriculum is intensive and focuses on high-impact learning, emphasizing leadership and strategy skills essential for senior positions. The program is structured to help experienced professionals fast-track their careers and significantly boost their earning potential.

This clear program segmentation allows SOIL to attract a diverse cohort of both early-career and experienced professionals. This diversity enriches the classroom environment through the cross-pollination of varied ideas and experiences, benefiting all students. This approach is a strategic move that strengthens the institute's position by serving a broader market while managing placement expectations for each program.

Program-Specific Overviews

In addition to its general management programs, SOIL offers specialized courses:

• PGPM in Human Resources (PGPM-HR): A one-year, accelerated program specifically for aspiring HR leaders. It is designed to develop a global perspective on human resource management.
• PGDM in Business Design & Innovation: As the flagship two-year program, it integrates a unique blend of business design, innovation, and liberal arts.
• PGPM-FLEX: A 15-month program that provides flexibility for professionals.

All programs offer specializations in key functional areas, including Marketing, Finance, Analytics, and Human Resources.

Here is a summary of the academic programs at SOIL for the 2025 intake:

Part 3: The 2025 Admission & Selection Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The admission process at SOIL Institute of Management for the 2025 intake is designed to be comprehensive and holistic, moving beyond a single entrance exam score to evaluate a candidate's complete profile.

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

The fundamental eligibility for all programs is a bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in graduation. Specific work experience is a mandatory requirement for certain programs:

• PGPM: A minimum of two years of prior work experience is required.
• PGPM-HR: This program is flexible and can be pursued by graduates with 0-5 years of experience.
• PGDM: Work experience is not mandatory, making it an ideal choice for fresh graduates or those with less than three years of experience.

Candidates are also required to have a minimum of 60% in their 10th and 12th-grade examinations for the PGPM and PGPM-HR programs.

Accepted Entrance Exams and Assessments

SOIL accepts scores from a wide range of national-level MBA entrance exams. The list of accepted exams includes:

• CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, SNAP, SET, MAT, CMAT, and ATMA.

For candidates who do not have a score from one of these exams, SOIL offers its own SOIL Talent Appreciation Test (STAT), which is an assessment of a candidate's leadership potential and strengths.⁶ A key feature of SOIL's selection philosophy is that it does not enforce a strict sectional cutoff for its accepted entrance exams.⁵ Instead, the exam score is just one component of a larger composite score used for final selection. This approach allows the institute to select a diverse cohort of students with strong resumes and entrepreneurial or leadership achievements, even if their test scores are not exceptionally high.

The Four-Stage Application Journey

The admission process is a multi-level journey designed to thoroughly evaluate a candidate's potential.

1.    Online Application Submission: The process begins with submitting an online application on the official SOIL website. Required documents include academic transcripts, entrance exam scores (if applicable), and information on extracurricular activities and work experience. An application fee of INR 2,000 is required to complete the submission.

2.    Profile-Based Shortlisting: Based on the submitted application, including academic records and entrance exam scores, candidates are shortlisted for the next stages of the process.

3.    Design Thinking Workshop (DTW): Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in a mandatory Design Thinking Workshop. This unique component of the admission process assesses a candidate's creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate in a team environment.

4.    Personal Interview (PI) Round: The final stage is a personal interview conducted by a panel consisting of a faculty member and a senior industry leader. This 45-minute interview explores the candidate's aspirations, goals, professional and academic background, communication skills, and clarity of thought.

Key Application Dates and Timeline

The application window for the 2025-27 PGDM batch and the 2025-26 PGPM and PGPM-HR batches is currently open. It is important to note that some sources already mention application dates for the 2026 intake, such as the CAT 2025 registration closing on September 13, 2025, for the batch that will commence in 2026. This demonstrates that the admission cycle is so current that it's already looking ahead. The report focuses on the current cycle while noting the timeline for the subsequent year to provide a complete picture for applicants planning for either intake.

Part 4: Fees, Financial Aid, and Return on Investment (ROI) Analysis

A critical factor for any prospective student is a clear understanding of the financial commitment and the potential return on that investment. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the fees and an analysis of the ROI.

Detailed Fee Structure for 2025-27

Fee information from various sources can sometimes be inconsistent. It is essential to refer to the official fee structure for the most accurate details. For the PGDM Batch 2025-27, the official total fee is INR 16.20 Lakhs, which is inclusive of tuition, program fees, student activities, and medical insurance. This figure is notably different from some third-party sites that have listed fees in a range between INR 10.11 Lakhs and 16.5 Lakhs.

The PGDM fee is payable in installments over the two-year duration.

The fees for the one-year PGPM and PGPM-HR programs are also substantial, with the PGPM total fees at approximately INR 14.80 Lakhs and the PGPM-HR at around INR 15.33 Lakhs.

Navigating Financial Aid and Scholarships

SOIL provides several scholarships to deserving candidates, offering financial support to reduce the overall cost of education. The scholarships are available up to INR 2 Lakhs.

• Merit-Based Scholarship: Awarded to students with a stellar academic track record and high entrance exam scores.
• Need-Based Scholarship: For students from families with a gross annual income below INR 8 Lakhs.
• Dr. Verghese Kurien Scholarship: Specifically for the wards of farmers with a family income below INR 5 Lakhs.
• Wards of Defence Personnel Scholarship: For the children of serving defense personnel and ex-servicemen.
• Unique Achievement Scholarship: For candidates with awards in sports, fine arts, social work, or other significant areas.

Analyzing ROI: The Core Financial Decision

The return on investment at SOIL is a compelling factor, particularly when comparing its PGPM and PGDM programs.

The PGPM program, designed for experienced professionals, often yields a significantly faster and higher ROI. With a shorter one-year duration and an entry-level salary range of INR 10-20 Lakhs for its graduates, it offers a quick career boost.¹⁹ The prior work experience of these students allows them to transition into higher-paying, mid- to senior-level roles more rapidly, with mid-level salaries potentially reaching INR 20-30 Lakhs with a few years of experience.

In contrast, the PGDM program, which caters to fresh graduates, has a longer duration and a lower initial entry-level salary range of INR 4-12 Lakhs. However, with several years of experience, a PGDM professional can expect their salary to rise to the INR 12-20 Lakhs range. The fundamental difference lies in the speed of the career transition and the starting point of the post-MBA salary, which are both directly linked to the program's target audience.

The institute's placement policy of only allowing recruiters with a base pay of INR 8 LPA or higher acts as a "hygiene factor," ensuring a solid placement floor for all students. This policy is designed to protect the overall ROI, providing assurance that even those not in the top percentiles will secure a high-quality job.

Part 5: Placements and Career Outcomes: A Data-Driven Report

SOIL Institute of Management has a strong track record of placements, with reports indicating a consistently high placement rate of nearly 100% across its major programs, with only rare exceptions for students who opt out of the process. The institute's focus on mentorship and resume building, along with its curated list of recruiters, contributes to this success.

Placement Overview (2025 & 2024)

The most recent placement reports provide a clear picture of the salary trends.

• PGPM (2025): The highest package offered was INR 21.8 LPA, and the average was INR 12.3 LPA.
• PGPM-HR (2025): The highest package reached INR 20 LPA, with an average of INR 11.2 LPA.
• PGDM (2024): The institute achieved a 100% placement rate for its PGDM program. The highest package was INR 27 LPA, with an average of INR 10.75 LPA and a median of INR 10.5 LPA.

When analyzing these figures, it is crucial to consider the average and median packages as more representative benchmarks than the highest package, which can be a significant outlier. The high-end figure of INR 27 LPA for PGDM, while impressive, does not reflect the typical outcome for the majority of the batch.

Summer Internships: A Crucial Precursor to Final Placements

The institute's summer internship program is also highly successful, with a 100% placement rate for the 2024 batch. The highest stipend reached INR 84,000 for a two-month period, with the average stipend at INR 18,000. A significant percentage of students (48%) secured a stipend above INR 20,000, and 25% secured a stipend above INR 30,000, demonstrating the high quality of these internship opportunities.

Top Recruiters and Industry Sectors

SOIL attracts a diverse range of companies from various sectors for both placements and internships. Notable recruiters who have hired SOIL students include:

• Consulting: KPMG, Deloitte, Genpact
• BFSI: HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Aditya Birla Capital
• IT/ITES: Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, Wipro, Accenture, HCL
• FMCG/Manufacturing: Zomato, Canon, Amul, Tata, Mahindra

A sector-wise breakdown for the PGDM batch in 2024 shows that the highest percentage of placements was in IT/ITES (35%), followed by Banking & Finance (25%) and Consulting (20%).

Part 6: Comparative Analysis: SOIL vs. Top Competitors

To fully appreciate SOIL's value proposition, it is essential to compare it with other top B-schools in the Delhi NCR region. This analysis focuses on key competitors like Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, and IMT Ghaziabad.

SOIL vs. Great Lakes, Gurgaon

Both institutions are prominent private B-schools in the Gurugram area, but they present different value propositions.

• Fees and ROI: The total fees for SOIL’s programs are comparable to or slightly higher than Great Lakes’ programs. SOIL’s fees range from INR 14.5 Lakhs to 15.33 Lakhs, whereas Great Lakes’ PGDM fees range from INR 7.4 Lakhs to 11.2 Lakhs.
• Placements: Great Lakes’ placement figures for the 2025 PGPM cohort, with an average package of INR 15.1 LPA, are higher than SOIL’s PGPM average of INR 12.3 LPA. However, some students and alumni on forums report choosing SOIL over Great Lakes' Gurgaon campus due to its perceived focus on the Chennai campus and the "second-hand opportunity" nature of the Gurgaon branch.
• Curriculum: SOIL distinguishes itself with a curriculum that incorporates a weekly Social Innovation Program and a focus on self-leadership, while Great Lakes emphasizes a fast-paced, industry-focused approach, particularly in areas like analytics.

SOIL vs. IMT Ghaziabad

This comparison highlights the trade-off between an established, higher-tier brand and a more cost-effective, value-for-money option.

• Rankings: IMT Ghaziabad is consistently ranked in a higher tier than SOIL in major rankings, such as NIRF, where IMT was ranked #30 in 2025, a significantly higher position than SOIL.
• Fees and Placements: This prestige comes at a higher price. IMT Ghaziabad’s total fees are approximately INR 20.3-21.53 Lakhs, substantially higher than SOIL’s fees. The average package at IMT Ghaziabad for the 2023-25 batch was INR 16.07 LPA  which is higher than SOIL's average, but the return on investment ratio is a key consideration. SOIL provides a more competitive ROI relative to its fee structure.
• Brand Perception: Discussions in student forums reflect this dynamic. While some candidates on platforms like Reddit view SOIL as a "decent backup MBA option" for those with average scores, they often compare it to IMT Ghaziabad, which is seen as a more aspirational choice. The choice often comes down to a student's willingness to pay a premium for a more established brand versus opting for SOIL's strong value proposition.

Part 7: Student Life, Alumni, and Unfiltered Reviews

To provide a complete picture, this section synthesizes feedback from a variety of student and alumni sources, including verified reviews and online forums.

A Balanced View from the Student Perspective

Verified student reviews on platforms like Shiksha and Collegedunia paint a balanced picture. Positive feedback consistently highlights the quality of the faculty and curriculum. Students praise the faculty for being highly qualified, with many holding PhDs or having extensive industry experience. The curriculum is described as industry-oriented and well-managed, with unique concepts like the Design Thinking sessions receiving high praise. The personal attention and support from the Career Management Services (CMS) team, particularly in resume reviews and mock interviews, are also frequently mentioned as a significant advantage.

However, the reviews also point to certain areas for improvement. Some students have noted that the college management is "very bad," with frequent staff turnover being a problem. The physical amenities, as discussed earlier, are also a source of some dissatisfaction, with the canteen food being cited as not good and expensive.

Insights from Student Forums

Discussions on platforms like Reddit and Quora provide an unfiltered look at SOIL's market perception. In many threads, SOIL is debated as a viable option for those with average CAT scores who may have limited choices from top-tier IIMs. This market positioning is crucial; it establishes SOIL as a credible and strong choice within the second tier of B-schools. The candid nature of these forums reinforces that while SOIL may not have the brand prestige of an IIM or IMT, it offers a strong academic foundation and a respectable career outcome for a specific cohort of students.

The Alumni Network

SOIL boasts a strong and rapidly expanding alumni network of over 1,400 members globally. The alumni are spread across various top Indian and international firms and are actively engaged in campus activities, including the annual Alumni Homecoming and industry-specific events. This network provides invaluable opportunities for current students through mentorship, networking, and career support. The alumni's consistent success and presence in strategic roles at companies like Deloitte, KPMG, and Zomato underscore the effectiveness of SOIL's curriculum in preparing students for high-impact careers.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Career

SOIL Institute of Management for the 2025 intake presents a compelling and unique value proposition in the competitive landscape of Indian management education. Its core strength lies in its differentiated pedagogical approach, which prioritizes character development, experiential learning, and a direct link to industry needs. The institute's strategic dual-program structure, offering a one-year PGPM for experienced professionals and a two-year PGDM for freshers, allows it to cater effectively to distinct career stages with tailored curricula.

For prospective students, the decision to choose SOIL can be guided by a clear set of factors:

• Choose SOIL if: A candidate is a working professional with over two years of experience seeking a rapid career transition into a leadership role. The PGPM program offers a strong ROI with a high average starting salary. The institute is also an excellent choice for individuals who value a hands-on, experiential curriculum and can compensate for a test score that might not meet the strict cutoffs of more score-focused institutions.
• Consider alternatives if: A candidate's primary priorities include a larger, more established brand, an on-campus hostel facility, or a location with more extensive surrounding amenities.

The placement data, which includes a high overall placement rate and a policy that ensures a respectable salary floor, provides a level of career security that is a significant draw. While the highest package figures are attractive, a more realistic view of the average and median salaries, particularly in comparison to the total fees, reveals a very favorable return on investment.

Ultimately, the available data and analysis suggest that SOIL Institute of Management is a reputable institution that delivers on its promise of preparing corporate-ready, ethical, and inspired leaders. Prospective students are advised to conduct their own due diligence, including direct engagement with current students and alumni, to align the institute's unique offerings with their personal and professional aspirations.