MICA Admission 2024 (MICAT II) Closing Today - January 17; Check Placements, at Par with IIMs; CXOs, CMOs, Unicorn Founders Alumni List

Located in Ahmedabad, MICA is a high RoI B-school with placements at par with many IIMs: Average Salary 2023 was Rs. 20.09 lakhs. MICA Alumni are CXOs and CMOs at leading global and Indian companies, as well as Unicorn Founders. MICA conducts MICAT Exam for admission to its prestigious PGDM-C and PGDM programmes. Last date to apply for MICA Admissions 2024 (through MICAT 2) is January 17, 2024. 

Sharing the reason for holding MICAT exam, Dr. Shailendra Raj Mehta, President and Director of MICA, said: “Admissions at MICA are purely based on merit. Our entrance test MICAT not only tests for analytical skills but also for the creative skills of the students. We look for students whose left brain capabilities are as high as their right brain capabilities. It is because of this difference that MICAns stand out.”

To know complete details about MICA and MICAT exam, read this article written by MBAUniverse.com experts who have personally visited and reviewed more than 100 Top B-schools in India and Aboard.

Understanding MICA Admission 2024 Process & Important Dates
There are 2 phases of MICA admission. MICA admission requires you to appear in CAT/XAT as well its own MICAT exam. There are 2 MICAT exams and the application through MICAT 1, for admission 2024 for all the programs has closed on November 21, 2023. Now MICAT II is open.

Step by Step process for MICA Admission 2024 is as below:

• Step 1: Appear in CAT 2023/XAT 2024, the Mandatory Exam for applying for MICA Admission
• Step 2: Then, apply for MICA Admission 2024 separately. Apart from accepting CAT/XAT score, MICA conducts MICAT, its own entrance test. MICAT exam application is included in MICA admission application. MICA 2 registrations are open. 
• Step 3: Appear in MICAT Exam of 2 hrs 15 Minutes duration. Exam sections are Psychometric Test-150 Questions; Aptitude Test-100 MCQs; Descriptive Test- 4 Questions. Read More
• Step-4: There are two MICAT exams – MICAT-1 on Dec 2, 2023 and MICAT-2 on Jan 27, 2024. If you feel you have not done well in MICAT-1, Apply and Appear in MICAT-2 to improve score
• Step-5: Check Shortlist at MICA website on February 15, 2024
• Step-6: Participate in GE-PI conducted by MICA in March 2024
• Step-7: Check Final Admission offer and pay admission fee in April 2024

MICAT-II 2024 Timeline

MICAT II Exam 2024 Timeline (Mandatory exam for MICA Admission 2024)	MICA Admission 2024 Important Dates
MICAT 2: Registration opens	November 23, 2023
MICAT-2: Last Date to Apply for MICA Admission	January 17, 2024
Issue of MICAT 2 Call Letters/Admit Card	January 24, 2024
MICAT II: MICAT Exam Date (MICA Institute level exam)	January 27, 2024
MICAT II Result and Score Card Release	February 15, 2024
GE & PI Shortlist	February 15, 2024
GE & PI at MICA, Ahmedabad	March 1, 2024
GE & PI at Delhi	March 10, 11 & 12, 2024
GE & PI at Bangalore	March 5 & 6, 2024
GE & PI at Kolkata	March 16 & 17, 2023
GE & PI at Mumbai	March 21 & 22, 2024
Final Admission Results by MICA	First week of April 2024

Check Complete Details below

Renowned for Creating Leadership in Strategic Marketing and Communication, MICA also offers 1-year Post Graduate Certificate Program, Crafting Creative Communications (CCC), and the 4-year Fellow Programme in Management (FPM). Read this exclusive MBAUniverse.com article to know complete details on MICA Ahmedabad Admission 2024, key USPs, curriculum and pedagogical initiatives, Fee, Placement, selection process and a lot more.

Table of Contents

1. MICA Key Highlights and USPs
2. MICA Programmes offered & Specializations
3. MICA Fees
4. MICA Intake
5. MICA Pedagogic Approach: Enhances Experiential Learning
6. MICA Placement 2023
7. MICA Admission Eligibility Criteria 2024
8. How to Apply for MICA Ahmedabad PGDM Admission 2024?
9. Important Dates for MICA Ahmedabad MBA Admission 2024
10. MICA Admission Criteria 2024: Step by Step Process
11. MICA Cut Offs

1. MICA: Key Highlights & USPs

• 1.1 Highly Ranked: MICA is ranked #37 in the GoI MHRD NIRF Ranking 2023 among 125 top Management institutes of India.
• 1.2 Premier B-School for Marketing, Communication & Creativity: MICA is the only residential institute in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to creating leadership in Strategic Marketing and Communication. MICA programmes emphasize not only managerial acumen but also creative intelligence and focus on effective delivery of Strategic Marketing and Communication solutions to the industry, government, and community. Today MICA is the alma mater of professionals serving in leadership positions in some of the best-known companies in India and the world in marketing, brand management, research & analytics, advertising, media, digital, and other related businesses.
• 1.3 MICA Placements 2023: Corporate partnerships are very important part of MICA’s success. Over 100 companies participated in MICA placement 2023. Highest salary was Rs.36 LPA and Average salary increased to Rs.20.09 LPA in MICA Placement 2023.
• 1.4 International Immersion: MICA offers a thoughtfully designed two-week international immersion program in the 2nd year of PGDM at The Michigan State University (MSU), USA. MSU’s Eli Broad School of Business and College of Communication, Arts and Sciences jointly offer this program to fulfil the global immersion needs to MICA’s PGDM-C and PGDM students. This allows students to learn from the MSU Professors trained in the reputed Institutions like Stanford, Wharton, UCLA, Michigan University. The learnings go beyond the classroom to industry and culture through hands-on exercises, live projects with MSU students, and industry exposure in Detroit, Lansing and Chicago. The specific focus of the academic delivery and industry visits are Digital, Marketing, Analytics and Communication.
• 1.5 Notable Alumni: MICA alumni hold key positions in top organizations across the globe in Brand Management, Media & Entertainment, Digital Communication, Market Research, Advertising, Development Management and Social Enterprise. Some of the notable alumni include – Aditya R Kanthy, CEO and MD, DDB Mudra Group; Amit Sharma, Senior Vice President & Head - Digital Platforms, Prudential Assurance Company, Singapore; Amogh Dusad, Head-Content, Mini TV, Amazon; Amol Gurwara, Country Manager, Kindle, Amazon; Arjoon Bose, International Head of Creative & Growth Ideas (Europe, Australia, Asia & Latin America), General Mills; Arvind Krishnamoorthy, Apple Content & Services - International Business Leadership, Apple; Avinava Banerjee, Global CD Director – Digital Commerce Smart Data & Analytics, Unilever; Dheeraj Sinha, CEO - Leo Burnett, South Asia, Chairman - BBH, India, Publicis Groupe; Kanika Mittal, Business Head, Twitter; Kavita Chaturvedi, Chief Operating Officer, Snacks Business, ITC Limited; Kedar Lele, Executive Director - Customer Development, Unilever; Pankaj Bhalla, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Grooming, Procter & Gamble; Praveen Sharma, COO - Commerce Services, Paytm; Saket Jha Saurabh, Director & Head Entertainment & Music Partnerships, Meta; Shradha Sharma, Founder & CEO, YourStory Media; Sushant Dash, CEO, Tata Starbucks; Vikramaditya Sharma, SVP Analytics, Essence; Vinay Subramanyam, Chief Marketing Officer, Pidilite Industries Limited
• 1.6 Industry Relevant Curriculum: Every year, MICA strives to design and develop cutting edge, innovative and creative programs and courses in collaboration with global advisory groups, industry professionals, MICA Faculty, Staff, Alumni and other institutional partners. MICA’s advanced and innovative curriculum, online learning tools and real-life work projects prepare and groom the students for global career path and industry work. Unique MICA offerings in Culture, Creativity and Entrepreneurship include courses such as Imagining India, Story Telling, Semiotics, Visual Cultures Learning and Industry Insights, Semiotics and Behavioral Architecture.
• 1.7 Pedagogic Initiatives: Pedagogy at MICA ensures group interactions, faculty mentoring and a combination of recorded and live sessions. The innovative pedagogy at MICA rests on peer-learning and developing the intuitive traits and emotional intelligence of the participants.
• 1.8 High Batch Diversity in 1:1 Ratio: MICA has high batch diversity and men and women account for almost 1:1 ratio in the student body. This diversity is by default and not by design. Nearly half of the students at MICA come from non-engineering backgrounds. This is a unique distinction from other B-Schools.

2. MICA Programmes Offered & Specializations
MICA Ahmedabad offers following 2 years full time management programs which are unique in nature and are in high demand from the industry

• 2 Years Full Time Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Communication (PGDM-C)
• 2 Years Full Time Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

2.1 MICA Program Specializations
MICA offers unique specializations. PGDM and PGDM-C programs cater to the industry need for qualified professionals and have MICA’s traditional emphasis on Strategic Marketing and Communication. Both the programs offer same specialization courses. The institute has pioneered program innovations in the areas of Digital Platforms & Strategies, Media & Entertainment, Marketing Analytics, Strategic Communication and Strategic Marketing area.

The specializations offered by MICA include Advertising and Brand Management, Marketing Analytics, Digital Communication Management, Media and Entertainment Management.

The concentration courses are based on a career-building approach, keeping in mind the industry's need for professionals with clear career interests. The courses intend to enable the students to develop specific skills and perspectives in their chosen career paths, within the field of Strategic Marketing and Communication i.e. Brand Management (BM), Marketing Research and Analytics (MRA), Digital Communication Management (DCM), Advertising Management (AM) and Media Management (MM).

3. MICA Fees*
MICA Fees for PGDM-Communication and PGDM programmes is same. Program wise MICA Fees is as below:

Programme Offered	MICA Ahmedabad Fees
Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Communication (PGDM-C)	Rs.23,00,000
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)	Rs.23,00,000

 *MICA Fees for 2024-26 batch may be revised

 *International Immersion Programme is (Optional) and fees to be paid extra.

4. MICA Seats
Below is shared the MICA Seats for PGDM and PGDM-C programs

Programme Offered	MICA PGDM Seats
Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Communication (PGDM-C)	180
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)	36

5. MICA Pedagogic Approach: Enhances Experiential Learning
The innovative pedagogy at MICA rests on peer-learning and developing the intuitive traits and emotional intelligence of the participants. MICA pedagogic approach ensures group interactions, faculty mentoring and a combination of recorded and live sessions.

MICA also hosts Centers of Excellence in Global Research, Case Study Development and International Partner Projects with the World Bank, UNICEF, Government of Gujarat and India. Students will engage with all the Centers on campus for real life project learning and will also experience community engagement and real life learning through Rural Immersion, Urban Impact Projects and International Immersion. 

With the help of multiple technology platforms, gamification, animation and all other tools, MICA is equipped to offer all programs and courses on-line also. The distinguished group of MICA faculty have developed an innovative and engaging curriculum in Business Management, Governance (to learn about the current crisis of governance at international, national and local levels in the time of global crisis), Strategic Marketing, Communication, Marketing Analytics, Media and Entertainment Management and Digital Transformations.

6. MICA Placements 2023
MICA Ahmedabad has a consistently high placement record. It concluded final placement 2023 with higher average and median salary than last year for its large batch. More than 70 companies participated in Placements 2023 at MICA and set new milestones with a 6% increase in the average salary and 11% increase in the median salary. Key Placement highlights are as below:

6.1 MICA Placements 2023: Key Highlights

• 100% Placements for the PGDM-C and PGDM 2021-23 Batch
• Average salary goes up by 6% at Rs.20.09 LPA in Placement 2023 from Rs.19.01 LPA last year
• Median Salary goes up by 11% at Rs.19 LPA in Placement 2023 from Rs.17.10 LPA last year
• Highest Salary goes down at Rs.36 LPA in Placement 2023 from Rs.57.52 LPA last year
• Gap between MICA Average Salary and Highest Salary narrows down which implies that all the students have been placed at good salary packages
• Average Salary for top 25% goes up at Rs.31.43 LPA
• Total Number of Recruiters were 70+
• Top Recruiters Include Accenture, L'Oreal, Cognizant, Amul, Samsung, Tata
• Companies Participated in Placement 2023 from across the sectors like IT/ITES, FMCG, FMCD, Analytics, Consulting, Retail and others Read More

7. MICA MBA Admission Eligibility Criteria 2024
Key points in MICA MBA Admission Eligibility Criteria 2024 are:

• MICA Ahmedabad eligibility criteria for both PGDM (C) and PGDM require a Bachelor's degree (10 + 2 + 3 system) or an equivalent qualification in any discipline recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
• Candidates appearing for final examinations towards a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) are also eligible to apply
• Candidates who demonstrate aptitude for expressing, assessing, and /or conceiving ideas that move people to action and achieve business results tend to stand a better chance of being shortlisted

8. How to Apply for MICA MBA Admission 2024?

• MICA Application has to be submitted online with the requisite application fee of Rs.2100/-.
• In the application, you need to update your score options which you would like to submit (CAT/XAT/GMAT).

8.1 MICA Application Process 2024: Step by Step Guide
You can apply for MICA admissions 2024 in following steps

Step-1: Register to Get User ID
You need to click on Apply Now at MICA website. It will take you to the first step of registration. On the page that opens, you should fill in your name, mobile number, valid email ID and after clicking on ‘I Agree’ box, and entering captcha, you need to click on submit button. 

Step-2: Check & Verify Details
You need to verify the information and click on OK button. Your User ID and password are now sent to your mobile and on your email ID. The page also displays your application number which you should note for future reference

Step-3: Click on Go to Application and Upload Photo & Signature

Your MICA registration is now complete. Click on Go to Application and read instructions how to fill MICA application form and proceed further. The application form first requires to fill personal details, upload your photo & signature at the top

Step-4: Fill Academic Details & Work Experience

On the next page you need to fill the academic details from class 10 onwards and also your work experience details

Step-5: Enter CAT/XAT/GMAT Exam Details
On this page you should choose the entrance exam the score of which you wish to submit for admission and if available now, you should submit exam score also. If you do not have the score card now, you will be allowed to update your score later. Besides, as MICAT is the mandatory test for MICA Admissions, you should choose whether you wish to appear in MICAT-1 or MICAT-2 or in both

Step-6: Make Payment
MICA Application fee is Rs.2100. You need to pay this fee online. So, check the details, your application fee is displayed on this page. If the fee amount is correct you should click on ‘I Agree’ before finalizing the payment and proceed further.

Step-7: Enter Entrance Exam Score after Result Declaration
After the CAT 2023 and XAT 2024 result declaration, MICA will give you the opportunity to update your exam score. You should login as Already Registered candidate to update your CAT/XAT score

9. Important Dates for MICA Ahmedabad Admission 2024
MICA Ahmedabad has two admission cycles through MICAT I and MICAT II. Below are shared the tentative important dates including the MICA Ahmedabad last date to apply for admission and for each MICAT exam. Here are the dates for MICA admissions 2024:

9.1 MICA Admission 2024 Calendar with MICAT I

Admission 2024 & MICAT 1 Exam Timeline	MICA Admission 2024 Important Dates
MICAT-1: MICA Application start date	September 14, 2023
MICAT 1: Last Date to Apply for MICA Admission	November 20, 2023
Issue of MICAT I Call Letters/Admit Card	November 29, 2023
MICAT I: MICAT Exam Date (MICA Institute level Exam)	December 2, 2023
MICAT I Result & Score Card Release	December 21, 2023
GE & PI Shortlist	February 15, 2024
GE & PI at MICA, Ahmedabad	March 1, 2024
GE & PI at Delhi	March 10, 11 & 12, 2024
GE & PI at Bangalore	March 5 & 6, 2024
GE & PI at Kolkata	March 16 & 17, 2023
GE & PI at Mumbai	March 21 & 22, 2024
Final Admission Results by MICA	First week of April 2024

9.2 MICA Admission 2024 Calander with MICAT II

MICA Admission 2024 & MICAT II Exam Timeline	MICA Admission 2024 Important Dates
MICAT II: Registration opens	November 23, 2023
MICAT II: Last Date to Apply for MICA Admission	January 17, 2024
Issue of MICAT II Call Letters/Admit Card	January 24, 2024
MICAT II: MICAT Exam Date (MICA Institute level exam)	January 27, 2024
MICAT-2 Result and Score Card Release	February 15, 2024
GE & PI Shortlist	February 15, 2024
GE & PI at MICA, Ahmedabad	March 1, 2024
GE & PI at Delhi	March 10, 11 & 12, 2024
GE & PI at Bangalore	March 5 & 6, 2024
GE & PI at Kolkata	March 16 & 17, 2023
GE & PI at Mumbai	March 21 & 22, 2024
Final Admission Results by MICA	First week of April 2024

10. MICA Admission Criteria 2024: Step by Step Process
MICA Ahmedabad admission criteria 2024 both for PGDM and PGDM-C is same. MICA Ahmedabad eligibility criteria, selection process and weightages in generation of final merit list for both the programmes are same. MICA admission is a three step process involving appearance in MICAT for all the CAT/XAT/GMAT takers, shortlisting based on exam scores, and the Final selection process. Let us understand each step of MICA admissions process

• Step 1: Apply and appear in at least one of the acceptable Entrance exams -CAT/XAT/GMAT
• Step 2: Apply for MICA admissions and appear in MICAT-I or MICAT-II or in Both
• Step 3: Check MICA Shortlist for final selection round
• Step 4: Participate in GE-PI in Final Selection Round  

Check below in detail each step of MICA Ahmedabad admission criteria and selection process

Step-1: Register and Appear in MBA Entrance Exam CAT/XAT/GMAT
Applicant has to register for and appear in one of the three exams viz. CAT 2023, XAT 2024 or GMAT (Taken 2022 onwards). MICA Ahmedabad admission 2024 criteria define that the institute will accept CAT 2023/ XAT 2024 and GMAT (2022 onwards) exam score for admission. All the candidates who apply for MICA Ahmedabad PGDM admission 2024 have to appear in MICAT exam also, which will be conducted by MICA at the institute level at various centres in India.

Step-2: Apply Separately for MICA Ahmedabad Admission 2024 & Appear in MICAT

• Apply online for MICA Ahmedabad admission 2024 and update your score options in the online application form which you would like to submit (CAT/XAT/GMAT).
• After receiving your CAT score, XAT Registration No. or GMAT score, update the details on MICA website 
• In case of XAT exam, the applicant needs to mention XAT Registration number only and MICA will collect the score from XLRI
• The MICA Ahmedabad application fee includes the MICAT exam fee and you will be called to appear in MICAT on the designated date

Step-2.1: Mark the Choice of PGDM-C or PGDM in Application
While applying for MICA PGDM/PGDM-C admission 2024, you have the choice to mark your preferred programme. MICA has clarified, “Students have the choice to opt for the PGDM-C and/or PGDM program. Candidates who choose to opt for both the programs will have to mark the program of their first preference as priority 1 and the second program of second preference as priority 2.”

Step-2.2: Appear in One or Both MICAT Exams: Opportunity to Improve Score
MICAT is the mandatory exam to be cleared by the candidates who apply for MICA Ahmedabad admission 2024 on the basis of CAT 2023/ XAT 2024 and GMAT exams.  MICA will conduct two MICAT exams -MICAT-I and MICAT-2. Applicants who wish to participate in the admission process for PGDM and PGDM-C have to first appear and qualify in CAT/XAT/GMAT and then appear for MICAT which is conducted twice a year and better of the two scores is considered for shortlisting as a student may choose to write both MICAT I and II.

Check MICAT Exam Pattern
MICAT is a computer based test consisting of three parts, namely the psychometric section, the descriptive section and an aptitude section which includes objective-type questions on Verbal ability, Quantitative ability and Data interpretation, General Awareness and Divergent and Convergent thinking. The details of the MICAT exam are available on the MICA and on MBAUniverse.com website.

The composition of 3 sections in MICAT is - Section A: Psychometric Test; Section B: Descriptive Test; Section C: Verbal ability, Quantitative ability and Data Interpretation, General awareness; Divergent and Convergent Thinking

MICAT Exam Centers
MICAT will be conducted at Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Ajmer, Aligarh, Allahabad, Bareilly, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Dhanbad, Faridabad, Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Meerut, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Muzaffarnagar, Nagpur, Noida, Panjim, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Rajkot, Ranchi, Surat, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam.

Step 3: Check MICA Shortlist for final selection round
MICA Ahmedabad will shortlist the candidates on the basis of CAT/XAT/GMAT exam score and MICAT score and will award following weightage to each component:

Components	Weightage for Shortlisting	Remarks
CAT/XAT/GMAT Score	50%	Calculated on the composite score formula
MICAT score	50%	--

Step 3.1: Post MICAT Shortlisting Process

• MICA first considers score in Section A of MICAT Psychometric test which  is a qualifier
• Those who qualify on the Psychometric, their relative performance on CAT/XAT/GMAT are considered for shortlisting.
• Candidates clearing a minimum cut-off in CAT /XAT total percentile/GMAT score are considered.
• Those who qualify based on the CAT/XAT/GMAT performance, their Section B of MICAT will be assessed
• Those who qualify on the basis of relative performance subject to a minimum cut-off in Normalized Scores of Section B of MICAT shall have their Section C of MICAT Assessed. Each section will have its own cut-off.
• Those who qualify on the basis of a, b, c and d (on the basis of relative performance subject to a minimum cut-off in Normalized Scores of Section C of MICAT) shall be considered for short listing for GE and PI.
• Candidates who demonstrate aptitude for expressing, assessing, and /or conceiving ideas that move people to action and achieve business results tend to stand a better chance of being shortlisted in the MICA Admission process.
• Short listed candidates will be called for GE and PI at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata& Mumbai.

Step 4: Participate in GE-PI in Final Selection Round 
MICA Ahmedabad will generate final merit list as per the following weightages after completion of GE-PI Round

Component	Weightage percentage
MICAT Exam Score	30%
Personal Interview (PI)	30%
Group Exercise (GE)	20%
CAT/XAT/GMAT Score	20%
Total Weightage	100%

11. MICA Cut Offs  
MICA Cut off is based on overall percentile score of CAT 2023, XAT 2024 or GMAT exam score. Only the candidates above the minimum cut-offs in the overall percentile ranks, and obtaining a positive (greater than zero) raw score in all sections of entrance exam will be considered for all the subsequent stages.

MBA Entrance Exam	Expected Overall Cut off percentile	Remark
CAT 2023	80	Actual cut off may go above 80
XAT 2024	80	Actual cut off may go above 80
GMAT (Taken 2022 onwards)	80 (Verbal & Quant)	Actual cut off may go up

There are many young students who wish to appear in CAT/XAT and apply for MICA Ahmedabad admission to pursue PGDM but they are in the second year or third year of their bachelor’s degree course and are not eligible this year but can apply for MICA admission 2025. It is expected that the MICA admissions 2025 process will remain on similar lines as this year.  

MICA is known for the creativity that it brings in every sphere of its pedagogy. Established in 1991, MICA (formerly known as Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad), is the only residential institute in the country, and perhaps in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to creating leadership in Strategic Marketing and Communication.

Hope you found this article with all the information on MICA quite useful to decide on MBA admission 2024. MICA Ahmedabad admission application process through MICAT-II is open.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on MICA Ahmedabad