Summary
A Growth Lead works within the Entrepreneurship field in India. The role applies the specialist training of this stream to real problems — in industry, in public service, in institutions or in independent practice. Students usually enter through the Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject route after Class 12, then specialise through work experience or a master's degree. This page brings together the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes and the day-to-day reality of the job, using the same exam and institute records published elsewhere on HBK Careers.
Core skills
- Subject knowledge from the qualifying degree
- Communication and teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to keep learning
Where you can work
- Government departments and public bodies
- Private companies in the sector
- Consultancies and service providers
- Self-employment and freelance practice
Professional Opportunities
Government departments and public bodies
Private companies in the sector
Consultancies and service providers
Self-employment and freelance practice
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
- 01Plan the day's work against targets set by the organisation or client.
- 02Apply the specialist knowledge of the field to the task at hand.
- 03Coordinate with colleagues, suppliers and users involved in the work.
- 04Maintain accurate records, reports and compliance documents.
- 05Keep skills current through training and professional updates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Recognised qualification pathway
- Options across public and private employers
- Specialisation raises pay over time
Cons
- Entry can be competitive
- Continuing education is expected
- Early-career pay varies by employer
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Growth Lead matches your interests and aptitude.