Operations: Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Career Scope & Top Colleges

Updated on May 2, 2024 02:06 IST
Aquib Rahman

Aquib RahmanAssistant Manager

Operations revolves around a business's daily activities and their optimisation. By optimising such processes, a business can provide customer satisfaction and create internal and external stakeholder value. 

Operations as a concept is historically found in the manufacturing industry after the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. Following that, there are theoretical approaches, such as Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory, to making workers efficient. By the time the age of computing took over the world between the 1960s and 1970s, manufacturing processes were automated. And now, in the field of operations, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) help optimise processes and improve efficiency. 

But how the operations is structured in a business is choosing an operating model that caters to the needs of the industry. This is done on analysing different frameworks, such as SWOT analysis, Lean six sigma, Agile, and others.  

Operations is present across all departments, from HR to marketing. They are specific to use cases and challenges to overcome across any department, but the goal is the same - to optimise. Likewise, it is not limited to the manufacturing industry. It is used in healthcare, banking, and IT more. 

Important FAQs related to Operations

What is the duration of the course?

Operations courses can be pursued at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. If the student opts for an Operations course at the undergraduate level then the duration of the course will be three years and if the student opts for MBA/PGDM in Operations then the duration of the course will be two years. The course's themes are primarily designed to impart knowledge on manufacturing, supply chains, and production.

Can I get the admission into Operations course on a merit basis?

Most of the colleges which offer Operations courses give admissions through competitive exams like CATCMAT, XAT, Symbiosis Entrance TestMAH CET etc. However, some institutes do provide admissions through merit. Students should meet the specific eligibility criteria and get a valid score in entrance exams to get admissions to BBA or MBA programmes in Operations Management.

What is the career scope after MBA in Operations?

A candidate can find his/her career as Operations Manager, Inventory Control Manager, Consultant, Area Operations Manager, Business Process Manager, etc. There are numerous career options available to MBA Operations graduates. Managers have enticing titles and generous compensation packages because their work involves both technical and managerial parts of company. 

Which are the top MBA institutes for Operations courses?

Multiple universities offer the course of MBA in Operations in India. You can choose among the top universities here if you happen to fit well into the eligibility requirements of the respective colleges.  XLRI, IIM Lucknow, Symbiosis, FMS, etc., are some top examples of such colleges.

What is the average salary of an Operations Manager in India?

An operations manager earns up to INR 7.2 lakh annually in India. The average salary for an MBA Operations Management position in India is INR 3.5–15 LPA. A lot of variables affect an employee's starting pay when they begin a new job. The characteristics that affect income after receiving an MBA in Operations Management include work experience, interpersonal abilities, area of specialisation, and specialisation exper

What is Operations?

Because of the operations simply one can say a business is run. It includes the way a business functions for giving good amount of output with less input. This helps the business get the progress and profit in the market.

What does an Operations Manager do?

A day in any Operations Manager includes interacting and coordinating with various teams like technology, development, sales, marketing, logistics and supply chain to understand the client's needs and produce the product as per expectation by following the most suitable strategy.

What tasks do Operations include?

Operations covers planning and controlling the business. Operations management is an skill that need deep level of training and work experience so that one can help the business plan. The tasks include taking care of the daily business.

What are the entrance examinations that one needs to qualify for Operations?

One needs to sit for and pass entrance examinations such as CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT. A student has access to numerous state, national, and worldwide entrance tests for MBA programmes. There are two ways to go about the admissions process for an MBA in operations management. The majority of institutions favour merit-based admissions, whereby applicants must successfully complete standard entrance exams like the CAT, GMAT, etc. with a respectable overall score.

What are the skills required for an Operations candidate?

For a successful career in Operations, the prerequisite is leadership qualities as the role requires one to lead inter-departmental meetings, planning, strategizing and execution of the business plan.  Some of the skills are Business acumen, Good communication skills, Problem-solving skills, Management skills and leadership quality, Strong Mathematical skills, Strong technical background, Analytical thinking, Ability to multi-task, an eye for detail, and ability to work under pressure.

What is the career scope after MBA in Operations?

The career prospects for MBAs in operations management have grown dramatically in recent years. Following graduation, MBA aspirants in India are increasingly choosing operations management as their specialisation. Aspirants to the field of operations management get knowledge of corporate processes such as product design, supply chain operations, forecasting, maintenance and quality control, inventories, and more. Students who earn an MBA in operations management will have little trouble finding positions in a variety of industries.

Table of content
  • Operations: Examples and Trends Across Different Industries
  • Scope of Learning Operations in 2024
  • Key Disciplines in Operations
  • Popular Operations Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Operations Colleges in India
  • Top Courses On Operations in 2024
  • Popular Operations UG Courses
  • Popular Operations PG Courses
  • Popular Exams
View More

Operations: Examples and Trends Across Different Industries

The table given below has the list of Operations with Examples and Trends Across Different Industries that the students can check:

Parametrs Details
Operations in Healthcare Using the electronic health record systems that are used for the data management for patients and improve care coordination.
Key Functions Patient Care, Medical Records, Supply Chain Management, and Quality Control
Key Trend in Healthcare Operations

59% of customers are comfortable with artificial intelligence in their healthcare

Operations in Banking Using machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent fraud in real time.
Key Functions Customer Service, Account Management, Risk Management, and Compliance
Key Trend in Operations Banking 40% of financial service givers are now using AI to boost their fraud detection and financial forecasting capabilities
Operations in IT cloud resource allocation and scaling based on real-time demand.
Functions in IT Operations Seeing the IT infrastructure also computing and networking hardware, software apps, hybrid cloud environments, network security management, and facilities management

 

Scope of Learning Operations in 2024

Optimising operations is an ongoing process. 

As operations continue to evolve with the integration of advanced technologies and changing customer needs, it is essential for you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to optimise processes and improve efficiency.

Read about Operations Manager Skills in 2024

Professionals with operations management skills can pursue various career paths, such as operations manager, supply chain analyst, quality control specialist, and more. These are lucrative jobs in India and abroad. 

Here are some additional advantages of learning operations from a career perspective. 

  • Equip yourself to streamline processes and boost output.
  • Learn to identify and tackle operational challenges effectively.
  • Gain insights to make data-driven decisions for optimal results.
  • Position yourself for higher-level roles in operations management.
  • Understand the interconnectedness of operations with other business functions

 

Key Disciplines in Operations

Discipline Description Sub-disciplines
Operations Management The planning, organising, and supervising of production, manufacturing, and the provision of services. Process Design, Capacity Planning, Quality Control, Supply Chain Management, Inventory Management
Supply Chain Management Coordination of sourcing, production, distribution, and delivery of goods or services. Procurement & Sourcing, Logistics & Distribution, Inventory Management, Supplier Relationship Management
Production & Manufacturing Management Overseeing and optimising the production of goods. Production Planning & Control, Manufacturing Systems, Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality Management (TQM)
Operations Strategy Aligning operations with overall business strategy to improve performance. Capacity Planning, Technology Management, Product Design & Development, Competitive Operations Strategy
Process Management & Optimisation Continuous improvement of business processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste. Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), Lean Operations, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)
Project Management Planning, executing, and closing projects efficiently within time, budget, and scope. Project Scheduling, Risk Management, Agile Project Management, Resource Allocation
Quality Management Ensuring products and services meet required standards and improving them continuously. Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma & Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Operations Research Applying mathematical and statistical methods for decision-making and optimisation. Linear Programming, Simulation Modeling, Queuing Theory, Decision Analysis
Inventory & Warehouse Management Managing stock levels, storage, and order fulfillment efficiently. Warehouse Operations, Inventory Optimization, Demand Forecasting, Order Fulfillment
Service Operations Management Optimizing the delivery of services and improving customer experiences. Service Quality Management, Service Design, Queue Management, Customer Experience Optimization
Sustainability & Green Operations Minimising environmental impact and maximising resource efficiency in operations. Sustainable Supply Chain, Green Manufacturing, Circular Economy, Energy Management
Technology & Automation in Operations Using advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency. Automation in Manufacturing (Industry 4.0), ERP Systems, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Data Analytics & AI
Risk Management in Operations Identifying and mitigating risks that can disrupt operations. Operational Risk Management, Crisis Management, Business Continuity Planning, Supply Chain Risk Management
Human Resource Management in Operations Managing workforce-related issues in operational settings. Workforce Planning, Labor Relations, Training & Development, Productivity Improvement
Global Operations Managing operations across multiple countries and handling global challenges. Global Supply Chain Management, International Logistics, Cross-border Operations Strategy, Trade Regulations & Compliance
Healthcare Operations Management Managing the delivery of healthcare services efficiently. Hospital Operations Management, Healthcare Quality Control, Patient Flow Optimization, Healthcare Supply Chain Management

Popular Operations Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Operations Colleges in India. Learn more about these Operations colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3.08 L - 4 L
3.9

#165 NIRF

Ranked #3 Private University in India. Placement with Fortune 500 Companies
2 Courses
10.75 L
4.6

Operations Applications open. Apply Now

2 Courses
6.93 L - 24.9 L
26.04 LPA

Operations Applications open till Nov 20, 2025. Apply Now

4.4 L
2 Courses
16 L - 25 L
4.2

Popular Private Operations Colleges in India

91.9 K
1 Course
6.25 L
5.5 LPA
1 Course
7.2 L
4.1

Operations Applications open till Dec , 2025. Apply Now

90 K
3.25 L
7 LPA

Operations Applications open. Apply Now

Top Courses On Operations in 2024

1. Operations Management A-Z on Udemy 

  • Bsic understanding on operations management concepts like supply chain management, quality control, and process improvement. 
  • Learn how to apply operations management techniques .
  • Improve job prospects

2. Operations Analytics on Coursera

  • Learn fundamentals
  • Learn how to apply analytics
  • Equip yourself and informed
  • Earning certificate can boost your resume.

3. Operational Excellence Foundations on LinkedIn Learning

  • Learn the principles
  • Learn best practices
  • Earning certificate can boost your resume.

Popular Operations UG Courses

Following are the most popular Operations UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Operations PG Courses

Following are the most popular Operations PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Operations. Students interested in pursuing a career on Operations, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

10 Oct ' 25

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6 Oct ' 25

TG ICET Special Phase Counselling 2025: Certifica...

30 Oct ' 25

Last date to report at allotted college

25 Oct ' 25 - 29 Oct ' 25

Payment of fees & downloading confirmation slip (...

23 Oct ' 25 - 7 Dec ' 25

MAT PBT Registration 2025 (Dec )

23 Oct ' 25 - 15 Dec ' 25

MAT CBT Registration 2025 (Dec )

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Parul Shukla

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