Overview: Hotel management is a highly skilled and demanding field! A degree from a top-tier university can give you the advantage you need to find a high-paying job in the industry. Explore the list of Top hotel management colleges in India.

With globalization, the tourism and hospitality industry is expanding around the globe and in India. In recent years, Hotel Management has seen immense development and has been one of the top choices of students who want a career in hospitality and management.

There are IHMs dedicated to providing admissions for hotel management courses, and several private colleges also provide tough competition.

Studying at a good university has several benefits, such as getting the best learning experience, studying advanced courses with market-relevant specializations, excellent placements, and more. 

Here's a list of IHMs and other top colleges that must be on your list!

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List of IHM’s in India - Top Hotel Management Colleges

IHMs are premier hotel management institutes set up by the central government in 1962. The institute imparts education and training to students from different parts of India.

The first IHM was coined in the year 1954 in the city of Mumbai. There are 71 IHMs functional in the country.

Of these, there are

• 21 Central Institutes of Hotel Management
• 25 State Government Institutes of Hotel Management (SIHMs)
• 1 Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
• 24 Private Institutes of Hotel Management

NCHM JEE is the entrance exam to be written to study Hospitality and Hotel Administration at IHMs. 

Let’s check the List of IHMs in India: 

1. IHM Pusa
2. IHM Mumbai
3. IHM Hyderabad
4. IHM Chennai
5. IHM Lucknow
6. IHM Chandigarh
7. IHM Kolkata
8. IHM Bhopal
9. IHM Kovalam
10. IHM Shimla
11. IHM Gwalior
12. IHM Bhubaneswar
13. IHM Hajipur
14. IHM Shillong
15. IHM Ahmedabad
16. IHM Goa
17. IHM Gurdaspur
18. IHM Guwahati
19. IHM Jaipur
20. IHM Srinagar

These are the most sought-after colleges ranking for top hotel management colleges. In the year 2021, seven IHMs found a spot among the top 10 hotel management colleges as per the ranking released by India Today.

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Top Hotel Management Colleges in India 

The Hotel Management course intends to train students in different fields of the hospitality industry. 

Pursuing this course opens up various opportunities for students in top multinational companies catering to food and beverage in hotels, hospitals, airlines, cruise lines, and more. 

Top Hotel Management Colleges in India	Entrance exam
Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, PUSA New Delhi	NCHMCT JEE
Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration	Merit
IHM Mumbai	NCHMCT JEE
IHM Hyderabad	NCHMCT JEE
IHM Chennai	NCHMCT JEE
IHM Lucknow	NCHMCT JEE
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology	IPU CET
Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (AIHMCT)	AIHMCT WAT
IHM Chandigarh	AIHMCT WAT
IHM Kolkata	NCHMCT JEE

NCHMCT JEE Eligibility Criteria

• The upper age limit is 25 years for General and OBC category candidates.
• The upper age limit is 28 years for Schedule caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) category candidates.
• You must have cleared class 10+2 from a recognized board or equivalent examination.
• You must submit a physical fitness certificate after qualifying for the NCHMCT Joint entrance examination. 
• This physical fitness certificate has to be submitted at the time of admission, and the registered medical practitioner should have issued the physical fitness certificate.

Details of Top 5 Top Hotel Management Colleges in India

Let’s check the information on the top 5 top hotel management colleges and their courses. 

1. Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, PUSA New Delhi

The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition is one of the exclusive hospitality institutes in Pusa, New Delhi. It was established in 1962 and provides quality education through its UG and PG programs. 

The Institute is exclusively certified by HACCP and has been awarded the Best Institute for All-Round Performance in past years. GHRDC also ranked IHM PUSA as No.1 in its annual ranking of Hotel Management Institutes across the country for the year 2018-19. 

Courses offered are 

• BSc in Hospitality & Hotel Administration
• Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics & Hospital Food Service
• Diploma in Food & Beverage Service
• Diploma in Bakery & Confectionery
• Craftsmanship Course in Food Production & Patisserie
• MSc in Hospitality Administration

2. Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration

The college offers a three years undergraduate course in culinary arts (BA), a four-year full-time course in BHM, and PG courses in M.Sc, MHM, and M.A. 

Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration is ranked the number 1 privately owned institute in India for hospitality education and 26 worldwide among all International colleges.

Courses offered are 

• Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
• BA Culinary Arts
• MSc Dietetics and Applied Nutrition
• MSc Hospitality & Tourism Management
• PG Diploma in Culinary Arts

3. IHM Mumbai

The college offers various Undergraduate, Diploma, and Certificate courses in Hospitality and Catering services. 

Admissions are offered based on merit and NCHMCT JEE Exam scores for the following courses. 

• BSc Degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
• Diploma in Food Production 
• 12 weeks Certificate Course in Bakery
• 12 weeks Certificate Course in Cookery

4. IHM Hyderabad

IHM Hyderabad is accredited by NCHMCT and offers admission to courses at UG, PG, diploma, and certificate levels. The college focuses on activities beyond academics.

Admission to these courses is merit-based through the Hotel management entrance exam.

IHM Hyderabad accepts NCHMCT JEE scores for admission to the B.Sc course.

Courses offered are 

• BSc Programme in Hospitality & Hotel Administration
• Post Graduate Diploma in Accommodation Operations & Management
• Craftsmanship Course in Food Production & Patisserie
• Craftsmanship Course in Food & Beverage Service

5. IHM Chennai

IHM Chennai was established to provide quality education in Hospitality and Hotel Administration. The college offered UG, PG, and Diploma programs and was established together by the Government of India and Tamil Nadu in 1963. 

Courses offered at UG, Diploma, and PG levels are as follows: 

• MSc in Hospitality Administration
• BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
• Craftsmanship Course in Food Production & Patisserie
• Craftsmanship Course in Food & Beverage Service
• Diploma in Bakery & Confectionary
• Diploma in Front Office Operation
• Diploma in Food & Beverage Service
• Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics & Hospital Food Service
• Post Graduate Diploma in Accommodation Operation & Management
• Certificate Course in Hotel & Catering Management

The popular specializations chosen by students are Tourism Studies, Travel, and Tourism Management. 

With the growing demand in the hotel industry, hospitality management students can find excellent opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

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Top 10 Private Hotel Management Colleges in India

If you don't make it to the top IHMs in the country, do not worry! There are several top private universities helping students obtain their degrees in hospitality and hotel management. 

1. Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
2. Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
3. Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
4. AIMS Institutes
5. Amity University, Noida
6. Chandigarh University
7. Chitkara College of Hospitality Management
8. School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Padmashree Dr D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Navi Mumbai
9. IIHM Delhi - International Institute of Hotel Management
10. SRM Institute of Hotel Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

IHMs and top private hotel management colleges offer strong placements and partnerships with leading hotels and resorts, providing practical industry experience. Their comprehensive programs in marketing, finance, and hospitality management equip students with essential industry knowledge and skills for success.

How to Prepare for Hotel Management Entrance Exams in India?

Preparing for hotel management entrance exams like the NCHMCT JEE involves focused strategies:

• Understand the Exam Structure: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus. Focus on sections like Numerical Ability, Reasoning, English Language, General Knowledge, and Service Sector Aptitude.
• Strengthen General Knowledge: Keep up-to-date with current events, especially related to the hospitality industry, by reading newspapers and magazines regularly.
• Enhance Language Skills: Improve your English through extensive reading and practice exercises focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Practice Quantitative and Analytical Skills: Regularly solve problems from books and online resources to enhance your numerical and logical reasoning abilities.
• Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and to identify areas needing improvement. Analyze your performance to refine your strategies.
• Time Management: Develop effective time management skills to handle the pressure of the exam and to allocate adequate time to each section during preparation and in the actual exam.

Preparing for hotel management entrance exams in India requires a methodical and strategic approach to cover all aspects of the exam comprehensively. By understanding the exam structure, enhancing your knowledge and skills across various sections, and practicing diligently, you can greatly improve your chances of success. Remember, consistent practice and staying informed are your best tools in achieving your goal of entering a top hotel management institute.

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Key Takeaways:

• Familiarize with Exam Pattern: Knowing the structure and content of the exam helps in tailored preparation and efficient studying.
• Regular Updates on Current Affairs: Staying updated, especially with news related to hospitality, prepares you for the general knowledge section.
• Strengthen English Proficiency: A strong command over the English language is crucial, given its extensive use in the exam and the hospitality industry.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Regular practice through mock tests and previous year papers is essential to understand the exam’s difficulty level and to improve time management skills.
• Holistic Preparation: Combining studies with physical and mental fitness activities ensures you are well-prepared both intellectually and physically for the demands of the exam.

Check: NCHMCT Affiliated Institutes of Hotel Management