Work experience is not mandatory for most traditional two-year MBA/PGDM programs in India, including those offered by IIMs, XLRI, FMS, and others. Fresh graduates are eligible to apply. However, executive MBA programs (typically one-year, part-time, or weekend formats) usually require a minimum of 2–5 years of full-time work experience. Additionally, while not mandatory, work experience can significantly strengthen a candidate's profile during the shortlisting and interview stages, especially at institutes like IIM Bangalore or SPJIMR that explicitly award diversity or experience-based points in their selection criteria.