Summary
A Business Consultant works on the commercial side of an organisation — planning, selling, coordinating and improving how the business performs. In India this work sits inside the Entrepreneurship stream: students usually take Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) in Class 11–12, qualify through Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject, and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Commercial judgement and numeracy
- Negotiation and presentation
- Stakeholder coordination
- Spreadsheets, CRM and analytics tools
Where you can work
- Corporates across FMCG, retail, manufacturing and services
- Consulting and market-research firms
- Start-ups and family businesses
- Own venture or independent consultancy
Professional Opportunities
Corporates across FMCG, retail, manufacturing and services
Consulting and market-research firms
Start-ups and family businesses
Own venture or independent consultancy
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream in Class 11–12 (subject requirements vary by programme) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | Master's degree / PG diploma in a specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | M.Phil. / Ph.D. for research and teaching roles | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject.
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad — CIIE | CAT | ciie.co |
| 2 | Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad | GMAT / GRE | isb.edu |
| 3 | Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad | EDII Entrance | ediindia.org |
| 4 | NMIMS Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce, Mumbai | NPAT | nmims.edu |
| 5 | Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Pune | SET | scmspune.ac.in |
| 6 | Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur | XAT | xlri.ac.in |
| 7 | IIT Madras — Nirmaan Incubator | JEE Advanced | nirmaan.iitm.ac.in |
| 8 | IIT Bombay — Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) | JEE Advanced | sineiitb.org |
| 9 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore — NSRCEL | CAT | nsrcel.org |
| 10 | Ashoka University — Young India Fellowship | YIF Application | ashoka.edu.in |
| 11 | Nirma University — Institute of Management | CAT | nirmauni.ac.in |
| 12 | Christ University, Bengaluru — Entrepreneurship | Christ Entrance | christuniversity.in |
| 13 | Amity Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Noida | Amity Test | amity.edu |
| 14 | Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) | CAT / IRMASAT | irma.ac.in |
| 15 | Gujarat Technological University — Innovation Council | GTU Admission | gtu.ac.in |
| 16 | Tata Institute of Social Sciences — Social Entrepreneurship | TISSNET | tiss.edu |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | www.ox.ac.uk/ |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | www.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu/ |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca/ |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | www.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | Common Admission Test | MBA/PGP at IIMs and leading business schools. | iimcat.ac.in |
| XAT | Xavier Aptitude Test | MBA/PGDM at XLRI and associate institutes. | xatonline.in |
| CMAT | Common Management Admission Test | MBA at AICTE-approved institutes. | cmat.nta.nic.in |
| NMAT | NMIMS Management Aptitude Test | MBA at NMIMS and partner schools. | mba.com/nmat |
| SNAP | Symbiosis National Aptitude Test | MBA at Symbiosis institutes. | snaptest.org |
| IPMAT | Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test | Five-year integrated management programmes. | iimidr.ac.in |
| CUET-UG | Common University Entrance Test (UG) | BBA and B.Com programmes at central universities. | cuet.nta.nic.in |
| NEAT / Startup India Programmes | Government Start-up Support Programmes | Seed funding, incubation and mentorship for founders. | startupindia.gov.in |
Work Description
- 01Set targets and plan the activity needed to hit them.
- 02Analyse market, cost or performance data and spot the gaps.
- 03Coordinate teams, vendors and customers to get work moving.
- 04Present proposals, reports and recommendations to leadership.
- 05Review results and refine the process for the next cycle.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast career growth for performers
- Skills transfer across industries
- Direct route to entrepreneurship
Cons
- Target pressure is constant
- Travel and long hours in sales roles
- Performance is measured monthly, not annually
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Business Consultant matches your interests and aptitude.