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TAPMI vs GLIM Chennai: Great Lakes Chennai and TAPMI Manipal have both earned a good kind of consistent attention over the years. Both schools have had AICTE approval and AACSB accreditation for a long time now. They have built industry connections that have shown consistent placements over the years.
They have had different campus cultures, different academic strengths and diverse students. The differences have mattered and they continue to matter depending on who you are and what you have set out to achieve.
GLIM Chennai Vs TAPMI Rankings
Rankings play a huge role in determining the college, but it is not the only factor out there. On the NIRF 2025 list, GLIM Chennai comes in at rank 37. TAPMI Manipal is right behind at 39, but here is what makes that number interesting. TAPMI was ranked 58 just a year ago in 2024. That is a jump of 19 spots in a single year, which is not something you see very often on this list.
Year | GLIM Chennai (NIRF) | TAPMI Manipal (NIRF) |
2025 | 37 | 39 |
2024 | 34 | 58 |
2023 | 31 | 42 |
GLIM Chennai Vs TAPMI Placements
Both schools reported 100% placements, but numbers need context. GLIM Chennai averaged INR 15 LPA, with highs of INR 39.3 LPA and BFSI leading at 27%. TAPMI averaged INR 13.99 and the highest spectrum was 32.77.
Here is the 2025 report:
Metric | GLIM Chennai | TAPMI Manipal |
Average CTC | INR 15 LPA | INR 13.99 LPA |
Highest Package | INR 39.3 LPA | INR 32.77 LPA |
Placement Rate | 100% | 100% |
GLIM Chennai Vs TAPMI MBA Fees
Both schools will cost you a significant amount of money. Fees at GLIM and TAPMI have a comparable range. Fee is a major factor in deciding the college. We have provided the fee for both the colleges in the table below:
Program | GLIM Chennai | TAPMI Manipal |
Flagship MBA/PGDM | INR 22.5 Lakhs | INR 19.5 Lakhs |
Hostel/Accommodation | Included in total | INR 1.5 - 3.0 L per year (extra) |
Alumni/Caution Fees | Included | INR 60,000 (one-time, partly refundable) |
GLIM Chennai Vs TAPMI Cutoffs
Both schools want at least 85-90 percentile on CAT if you are from the general category. Though there is no actual cutoff released by both the colleges, factors beyond the cutoffs also matter. The exam-wise rough estimates based on the scores of selected students are given in the table below
Exam | GLIM Chennai | TAPMI Manipal |
CAT | 85 percentile | 85 percentile |
XAT | 85-90 percentile | 85+ percentile |
GMAT FE | 500+ | 500+ |
NMAT | NA | 210+ |
CMAT | 98+ percentile (Only Gurgaon Campus) | Not accepted |
GLIM Chennai Vs TAPMI Admission Process
Both schools run a two-stage selection process, but what happens inside each stage is quite different.
GLIM Chennai
Academic Record: Because the course is very fast-paced and difficult, they look for students who have performed well in school and can handle pressure. Like other B schools they look for academic consistency.
Test Scores: They accept GMAT, CAT, or XAT scores to help compare students fairly from different colleges and gives students a fair chance even when one exam goes wrong.
Interviews: You will first go through an AI-monitored video interview to test your communication and thinking skills. If you pass that, you will have a personal interview where they look at your goals, people skills, and general knowledge.
Extra Credit: If you were a rank holder in your college or university, you get "brownie points" or an extra advantage in the selection process.
Character and Values: They place a high value on honesty, ethics, and original thinking.
Diversity: They look for students from many different academic backgrounds because they believe having a diverse classroom helps everyone learn better
TAPMI Manipal
TAPMI needs 60% in graduation and accepts CAT, XAT, GMAT, and NMAT. You can submit multiple test scores, which is a useful flexibility. Stage I looks beyond just your test score, pulling in academics, extracurriculars, work experience, gender diversity, and leadership potential. Stage II brings a Group Discussion, Written Ability Test, and Personal Interview, carrying the heaviest weightage of 45% in the final selection. That interview stage is where TAPMI really makes up its mind about you.
Selection Component | TAPMI Manipal |
Test Score | 35% |
Academic Profile | 15% |
GD/WAT/PI | 45% |
Work Experience | Included in profile |
Diversity / Extracurriculars | 5% |
Which One Should You Choose?
There is no single right answer here!
Pick GLIM Chennai if your CAT or XAT score is strong, your sights are set on BFSI, consulting, or IT management, and the higher average and peak package numbers matter to you. The PGPM is also worth serious consideration if you have one to three years of work experience.
Pick TAPMI if the residential Manipal campus appeals to you, if your profile is compelling but your test score is moderate, or if the BKFS stream aligns with where you want to take your finance career. The ranking trajectory alone, nineteen spots in one year, says something real about where this institution is heading.
One last thing worth saying out loud. The MBA itself, your peers, your faculty, the internship you land, and honestly how hard you push yourself through two years, will matter far more than a two-spot NIRF gap ever will. Both schools have produced people doing serious work across industries. The real question is simply which environment fits how you learn and where you want to go.
